Whale Watching Worldwide

nature tours that include regular dolphin sightings between the islands. Whales are also seen in the Canal
Bolívar between Fernandina and Isabela and in the area west of Isabela Island. Several cruise ships offer
special whale watching options and will spend a day or more looking for whales.
Other locations with cetacean watching include Salinas near Guayaquil and land‐based viewing at Guayas
and Salango.
Main species: Large cetaceans:
Bryde's whale, humpback whale, sperm whale
Tourists:
International
Domestic
Small cetaceans:
Amazon River dolphin, bottlenose dolphin,
orca, pantropical spotted dolphins,
short‐finned pilot whale, tucuxi
Mainly international. At Machalilla National
Park, 75% international and 25% domestic
Types of tours: Boat and land‐based viewing on the mainland
and Amazon. A range of trips to the
Galápagos, some multiple‐day
Average adult ticket price: $25 to $30 for mainland boat trips. Cruises to
Galapagos and Amazon treks can cost several
thousand dollars
Estimated employment
168
numbers:
Main whale watch season: Year‐round depending on the location but
humpbacks are highly seasonal from June to
September‐Orctober
References:
Hoyt, E & Iñíguez, M 2008, ‘The State of Whale Watching in Latin America’, WDCS, Chippenham, UK; IFAW, Yarmouth
Port, USA; and Global Ocean, London, 60 pp..
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