Whale Watching Worldwide

Bermuda
Year Number of
whale
watchers
AAGR Number of
operators
Direct
expenditure
Indirect
expenditure
Total
expenditure
1991 120 N/A N/A Minimal Minimal Minimal
1994 150 7.7% N/A $8,000 $18,000 $26,000
1998 180 4.7% 3 $13,000 $7,000 $20,000
2008 250 3.3% 4 $16,900 $15,000 $31,900
Capital City: Hamilton
Bermuda has a short season of humpback whale watching that
occurs annually from March to April. Although only four operators
are listed, some additional dive operators will also occasionally
attempt a whale watching cruise if there is tourist demand,
however the numbers of trips tend to be low and sightings can also
be inconsistent.
As well as dive operators, the government‐owned aquarium and
zoo also run some whale watching trips in season, as does the
Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, although in all cases,
numbers are low. It is estimated in 2008 that numbers remain only
slightly above 10 years previous, at 250 whale watchers across Bermuda.
Main species: Large cetaceans:
humpback whale
Small cetaceans:
short‐finned pilot whale, various dolphin
species
Tourists: N/A
International
Domestic
Types of tours: Boat‐based
Average adult ticket price: $55 (can be much higher where the whole
vessel must be chartered)
Estimated employment
4
numbers:
Main whale watch season: March to April
Acknowledgements:
Ondrej Hindl at Blue Water Divers, Wendy Tucker of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, Andrew Stevenson
of Whales Bermuda and Bermuda Tourism
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