7. Scotland
Which whales? Minke, humpback, fin, sperm, orca
Why it's a hotspot: A third of the North Atlantic’s whale population migrates via western Scotland every year, while some species are resident year-round
Whales in Chanonry Point, Fortrose, Scotland (Flickr: Creative Commons/Pete White)
Other wildlife? Dolphin, porpoise, white-tailed eagle, puffin
Best for... The possibility of large pods of orca, especially off Shetland; minke sightings off the Hebrides
When to go? Best May-October
8. Azores
Which whales? Sperm, humpback, sei, bearded, blue, short-finned pilot, orca, fin
Why it's a hotspot: The remote archipelago sits in nutrient-rich waters; the seas sustain resident whale populations, while the islands are also visited by migrating species
Sperm whales in the Azores (Shutterstock)
Other wildlife? Dolphin, turtle, manta ray, petrel, shearwater
Best for... Seeing sperm whales spyhopping; swimming with dolphins; gazing out from vigias (whale observation posts)
When to go? Year-round (sperm); late March-early June (blue, fin, sei)
9. Western Cape, South Africa
Which whales? Southern right, humpback, Bryde’s
Why it's a hotspot: Two oceans converge, resulting in a huge diversity of marine life; sheltered bays and warmer waters provide calving spots for migrating whales
Whale breach in Hermanus, South Africa (Shutterstock)
Other wildlife? Great white shark, dolphin, African penguin, Cape fur seal, black oystercatcher
Best for... Shore-based spotting along the Whale Route; Hermanus Whale Festival (2-4 Oct 2015)
When to go? Best July-Nov; May-Dec (humpback)
10. Sri Lanka
Which whales? Blue, sperm, humpback, Bryde’s
Why it's a hotspot: Sri Lanka’s southern tip nudges the depths of the continental shelf, favoured by blues; nowhere else does the world’s biggest creature swim so close to land, so reliably
Sperm whale in Sri Lanka (Shutterstock)
Other wildlife? Dolphin, turtle, flying fish
Best for... Cruising out from Dondra Head to spot mighty blues
When to go? Best January-April
11. South Island, New Zealand
Which whales? Sperm, blue, humpback, southern right, orca
Why it's a hotspot: Tectonic plates collide and ocean currents meet off Kaikoura, attracting an abundance of marine wildlife
Humpback whale, New Zealand (Shutterstock)
Other wildlife? Seal, dolphin, albatross, penguin, shearwater
Best for... Sperm whales, which are present here year-round; swimming/snorkelling with huge pods of dolphin and playful seals
When to go? Year-round (sperm); June-July (humpback); December- March (orca)
12. Tonga
Which whales? Sperm, humpback
Why it's a hotspot: During the austral winter, humpbacks migrate from the South Pole to warmer Polynesian waters to mate and give birth
Humpback whale, Tonga (Shutterstock)
Other wildlife? White-tip reef shark, black-tip reef shark
Best for... Spotting humpback mothers with calves – and possibly jumping in to swim with them: this is one of the few places in the world where snorkelling with whales is permitted
When to go? Best July-October
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