South American is considered as an interesting destination which offers you many unique and off the beaten path vacation experiences. A whale watching cruise along the Pacific Coast of Colombia will be adventure vacation for travelers seeking an original vacation experience.
The Pacific Coast of Colombia is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and offers some of the best whale watching options around. Seeing these enormous mammals up close is really a breath taking and fascinating show and the whales never fail to dazzle spectators with their graceful water ballet
Humpback whales can grow up to 52 feet long, weigh up to 50 tons, and the usual life span is 40 to 50 years. Although they do not form family groups, the whales are very social, and gather in temporary pods when hunting, feeding or during breeding season.
Male humpback whales are famous for their broad vocal range and are the singers of the whale species.
In fact, they have the broadest and most versatile vocal range in the animal kingdom. Their songs are complex arrangements to attract a mate, and each song can last 20 to 30 minutes.
Whale Watching Hot Spots
If you are interested in seeing these magnificent creatures, the Colombia Pacific is the perfect location.
Humpback whales have migrated from the Antarctic to the Colombia Pacific looking for warm, calm waters to give birth to their young. Whale watching season is July to October along the Colombia Pacific Coast. Excellent whale watching locations include Utria Bay, Malaga Bay and Gorgona Island.
Utria Bay
Utria Bay is also part of the natural national park system and a protected nature area. Year round temperatures are in the 80's and have one of the highest annual rainfall averages in the world. Humpback whales, dolphins and sperm whale are abundant in this area during their annual migration.
Malaga Bay
Each year, up to 500 to 700 humpback whales migrate from Antarctica to the warm, tranquil waters of Malaga Bay to breed and to give birth to a new generation. Malaga Bay, which is located near Buenaventura in the southeastern Pacific Ocean, is also where 10% to 15% of all whale births take place. Here in the beautiful, tropical waters, is where new born humpback whales learn to feed, breath and play.
Gorgona Island
Up until the mid 1980's, Gorgona Island was a high security state prison. In 1985, it became a national natural park and has since developed as an eco-tourism center. Gorgona Island is known for many things, including being a snorkeling and diving paradise, its amazing, lush tropical forest and the annual visit of the humpback whales.
The humpbacks and their newborn calves arrive between August and October, at Gorgona Island. Each year between August and October, the humpback whales and newborn calves arrive in Gorgona Island on their way back to Antarctica.
South American vacations, particularly in the Colombia Pacific, is just starting to attract the attention of international tourists interested in eco-tourism and for whale watching cruises. For your next vacation, discover one of the world's most biodiverse areas and see the amazing ballet of the migrating humpback whales along the beautiful pacific coast of Colombia.
South American Vacations