Where and when to see humpback whales

Humpbacks migrate between cold feeding grounds and warm breeding grounds, passing dive regions at predictable times of year. In most places they are seen from the boat or heard underwater rather than met on scuba.

This guide documents sightings in 10 Good Dives regions. The most regions are in peak season in February–March, August.

Colored-pencil illustration: one humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

Humpback whales sighting calendar

Calendar months, every year

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TofoMozambique●●PeakPeakPeak●●
Ningaloo ReefAustralia●PeakPeakPeak●
Okinawa & Kerama IslandsJapanPeakPeakPeak●●
Saba & St KittsCaribbean NetherlandsPeakPeakPeak●●
Sardine Run (Wild Coast)South Africa●PeakPeakPeak●
Tonga (Vava'u)Tonga●PeakPeakPeak●
Turks & CaicosTurks & Caicos IslandsPeakPeakPeak●●
Socorro (Revillagigedo)Mexico●PeakPeak●●
Southern GBRAustralia●●●●
Rowley ShoalsAustralia●●●

Peak = best odds · ● = regularly seen · blank = unlikely.

Calendars describe animal presence, not weather or site access; check each region’s dive season. For grouped animals, a marked month may apply to only one member of the group. Sightings vary by site and dive.

Explore all 10 documented regions