Humpback whales travel 8,000km from Antarctica to Colombia's Pacific coast every year. Where to see them and how to plan.
Whale Watching in Colombia: Where, When, and How to See Humpback Whales
8,000 Kilometers for a Colombian Birth
Every year between July and October, humpback whales travel over 8,000 kilometers from Antarctica to Colombia’s Pacific coast. They come for one reason: the warm, calm waters of the Colombian Pacific are where they mate, give birth, and nurse their calves before the long journey south again. Adults measure up to 18 meters and weigh around 40 tons. When one breaches next to your boat, you understand why people travel across the world for this.
Colombia is one of a handful of places on Earth where you can witness this migration up close, and one of the very few where the experience happens in genuinely remote, uncrowded waters. There are no mega-cruise whale watching operations here. It’s small boats, local guides, and stretches of Pacific coastline where jungle meets ocean without a road in sight.
Where to See Whales in Colombia
Nuqui and Bahia Solano (Choco)
The most popular and accessible destinations for whale watching. Both are small towns on the Gulf of Tribuga in the Choco department, reachable by short flights from Medellin (about 1 hour to either Nuqui or Bahia Solano airports). There are no roads connecting these towns to the rest of Colombia. You fly or take a cargo boat.
Nuqui is slightly more developed for tourism, with eco-lodges along the coast at Guachalito, Coqui, and Termales. Bahia Solano and its neighbor El Valle are a bit quieter and more affordable. Both offer whale watching excursions by boat, typically 2-3 hours, costing approximately 150,000-200,000 COP ($37-50 USD) per person.
Between Nuqui and Bahia Solano sits Utria National Park, a natural jewel with mangroves, coral reefs, and a sheltered cove (Ensenada de Utria) where whales come to give birth. Watching a mother and calf from Playa Blanca inside the park is one of Colombia’s most extraordinary wildlife experiences. Park entry costs approximately 72,000 COP and includes a guided mangrove trail.
Bahia Malaga (near Buenaventura)
The most accessible option. Bahia Malaga is reached from Buenaventura (which has direct flights from Bogota and Cali). Around 800 whales are counted in this area each season. The local communities here have implemented strict whale watching protocols: maintaining safe distances, limiting observation time to 30 minutes per whale, and only operating during the designated season even though whales may arrive earlier.
This is a good option if you want whale watching without the commitment of traveling to remote Choco. Day trips from Buenaventura are possible.
Isla Gorgona (Cauca)
The most exclusive option. Gorgona is a former prison island turned national park, located off the coast of Cauca. It’s the only place in Colombia where you can regularly witness whales giving birth and see newborn calves swimming for the first time. Access is limited and requires advance planning, making it the least crowded option.
When to Go
The official whale watching season runs from mid-July to mid-October, though whales can arrive as early as June and linger into November. Peak sightings happen in August and September. If your trip revolves around seeing whales, aim for these two months.
Outside whale season, the Pacific coast offers other wildlife: whale sharks (April-May), sea turtle nesting (September-January), incredible surfing, jungle trekking, and Afro-Colombian community experiences. This coast is extraordinary year-round, not just during whale season.
What to Expect on a Whale Watching Trip
You’ll go out in a small motorboat (lancha) with a local guide who knows these waters. The boats carry 6-12 people. Trips last 2-3 hours. You motor to areas where whales have been spotted and then wait. When a whale surfaces, breaches, or slaps its tail, the guide positions the boat at a respectful distance (regulations require at least 200 meters from mothers with calves).
What you see depends on timing and luck. Common sightings: tail slaps, breaching (full body launches out of the water), spyhopping (head rising vertically), blowing, and mothers with calves. Some days you see dozens of behaviors. Other days, they’re quiet. The Pacific doesn’t perform on command. That’s what makes it real.
Bring a rain jacket (the Pacific coast is wet), waterproof bag for electronics, motion sickness medication if you’re sensitive to boats, and sunscreen even on cloudy days.
How We Build the Experience
Our Pacific Pulse experience is built around this. It combines Medellin as a city base with 4-5 days on the Pacific coast, timed to whale season. Eco-lodge accommodations, guided whale watching, jungle hikes, community visits, and thermal pools. It’s the most immersive way to experience this coast without figuring out the complicated logistics yourself (flights, boats, lodge reservations, and guide arrangements all need to be coordinated in advance).
Responsible Whale Watching
Colombia has regulations for whale watching, but enforcement varies. Some things to look for when choosing a tour: boats should maintain distance (200+ meters from mothers with calves), limit observation time (30 minutes per whale), avoid cutting off whale paths, and reduce speed when whales are nearby. The best guides, usually from local community organizations, follow these rules naturally because they understand the long-term importance of protecting the whales that sustain their economy.
The Madre Agua association in Bahia Solano is one example of a community-led conservation organization offering responsible whale watching. Supporting operators like these directly benefits the communities and the whales.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is whale season?
Mid-July to mid-October. Peak: August and September.
How do I get there?
Fly from Medellin to Nuqui or Bahia Solano (1 hour). For Bahia Malaga, fly to Buenaventura from Bogota or Cali. No road access to Nuqui/Bahia Solano.
How much does whale watching cost?
Boat excursions: 150,000-200,000 COP ($37-50) per person. Full lodge packages (4-5 nights, all-inclusive): $800-1,500 USD depending on accommodation level.
Will I definitely see whales?
During peak season (Aug-Sep), sighting probability is very high. But it’s wildlife, not a show. No guarantees, but most visitors see multiple whales during their stay.
Can I swim with the whales?
Not officially permitted under Colombian regulations. You observe from the boat at a safe distance.
