By ASHLEY NASH BALTAZAR
For aquatic lovers, whale watching offers calm and exciting moments between being on the water and spotting big fish.
The best time of the year to go whale watching depends on the location as well as the type of whale that you want to see. Here's a list of destinations for your bucket list.
Coming in at number one, Monterey Bay, California is a great place to spot gray whales in the winter, blue whales in the summer and humpback whales yearround.
Virginia Beach is an excellent spot for catching humpback whales, as they're known for frequenting the Atlantic Ocean.
Stretching from Cape Ann to Cape Cod is a protected area of the waters called the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. There, you'll find humpback and pilot whales.
Bar Harbor, Maine, is a great place to spot whales as it holds the staples of their diet. Squid, krill and an array of fish attract humpbacks and finbacks between April and October.
Orcas, gray and humpback whales can be spotted in the San Juan Islands area of Washington. The "Southern Residents," a pod of whales, typically come to the area during spring through mid-fall.
Over 20 species of whales can be spotted in Iceland. Orcas can be seen near the Snæfellsnes peninsula and there's a whale museum to enjoy in Reykjavik.
There are whale-watching tours available to visitors of Kaikōura. Companies prioritize the happiness and conservation of the giant creatures. Sperm whales are best seen in the area.
Responsible tourism is also the theme of whale-watching tours in the Azores Archipelago, Portugal. Fish and seabirds, in addition to whales, can be spotted in this area of the Atlantic Ocean.
Visitors of Hermanus can stay in shoreline guesthouses where they can hear and see whales. On the water, tours are available to enjoy views of Southern right whales specifically.