Few things are more perfect than seeing a whale in the open ocean. Its genteel and graceful mannerisms elicit joy, awe, and maybe even some tears. However, what makes the experience so unique is that seeing a whale is not guaranteed. Even though tour operators have a good sense of where they might be, seeing a whale is never assured. It’s why every encounter should be treasured and cherished. As you learn tips for whale photography ahead of your trip, remember to enjoy being in the moment and not only focus on what your camera produces.
Now, let’s get into how you can improve you whale photography!
Where to Go Whale Watching
The first part of a successful whale watching trip is going to a place known for having whales. Below is a list of places to visit on both coasts of the U.S.
Top Places to see whales on the West Coast:
- San Diego, CA
- Santa Barbara, CA
- Monterey, CA
- Maui, HI
- Depoe Bay, OR
- San Juan Islands, WA
- Vancouver Island, British Columbia
- Kenai Fjords, AK
- Glacier Bay, AK
Top places to see whales on the East Coast:
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Long Island, NY
- Bar Harbor, ME
- Provincetown/Cape Cod, MA
If you have the resources, visiting Maui in January and February should be the most incredible whale watching you’ve ever seen. This is because humpbacks go here to give birth and their young calves are very playful. With playful behavior comes breaching, fin flaps, and fluke appearances.
If you can’t make it to Hawaii, Santa Barbara and Monterey provide two amazing and easily accessible locations to see an assortment of wildlife.
Check the Weather
As with most photography outings, doing it in bad weather is not only annoying but can be detrimental to your gear. Thankfully, most whale watching tours won’t run if the weather is brutal. However, rocky seas can still occur with clear skies, and that doesn’t bode well for someone trying to capture a shot. Before going, I recommend giving the tour a call and asking about weather and sea conditions. Please mention that you’re a photographer as it can change what answer they give.
Understanding Whales
An important thing to know about whales is how they act, so you can try to guess what they will do next. The first is understanding how long a whale will be underwater when it dives. Whales at the extremes could be submerged for 30-50 minutes, but that’s unusual.
However, most will be under for 3-5 minutes and then come back up. So, if you see a whale dive (meaning you also see their fluke), you will likely not see them for a few minutes. Shift your attention elsewhere to find other wildlife.
Also, keep an eye on the horizon for their spouts. This is the easiest way to find a whale, as the mist should hang in the air for a few seconds.
Lastly, if you’re in a mating zone, you could find more breaching whales as they try to show off for potential mates.
Best Cameras and Lenses for Whale Photography
When boarding, it’s imperative to have the right gear. There’s no turning back once the boat undocks. This means you should make a quick checklist (like the list below) before you leave the house.
- Camera body
- Wider angle lens, such as a 24-70 mm.
- Longer lens, such as a 70-200, 100-500, or 150-600 mm.
- Extra batteries that are charged
- Lens hood for ocean spray
- Wipes for ocean spray
Having a high megapixel camera will allow you a greater ability to shoot wider as you can crop in without losing clarity. Cameras like the newer Sony or Canon models are perfect for wildlife photography. But, then, you’ll want a good zoom lens as the whales could be 150-300 yards away.
However, keep in mind that zooming in at 400 mm could slash the likelihood of capturing a shot if a whale appears out of frame. The best photo is the one you capture, and you’re proud of!
Best Camera Settings for Whale Photography
This is the crux of the trip and how you make it all worth it. It’s time to land your whale shot. While out, don’t be afraid to test different settings to find a sweet spot. I’d also recommend putting on Shutter Priority (locks the shutter speed) but allows your aperture and ISO to move based on lighting. This would mainly be relevant for shooting whales at the horizon and immediately focusing on one near the boat with less light available.
These external factors will affect your camera settings:
- How calm is the ocean? – If the ocean is calm, it takes away another shake factor you would have to consider. When you’re on a boat, you’ll need a fast shutter speed to decrease the shake from you, and the fact that the whale is moving. All of this means you’ll want a fast shutter speed.
- Is the sun out, or is it cloudy? – While a bit obvious, this will help you arrange your aperture and ISO to correlate with the high shutter speed. Of course, a brighter day isn’t the best for your photos, but it’ll help ensure your ISO stays near 100.
My Ideal Settings:
- Shutter Speed: 1000-1500 (maybe even 2000 on a sunny day)
- Aperture: f/5.6-f/9
- ISO: Keep it as low as possible, but under 500 is fine for newer models
Clothes and Extra Gear to Bring
The last thing to consider as you go whale watching is what you’ll wear. Hopefully, it’s a lovely blue-bird day. Although, not everyone will get that and the clothing can make or break your trip. Furthermore, your temperatures at the harbor will be deceiving as it is always cooler on the open water.
Here’s what to bring:
- Sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed hat with a chin strap so it doesn’t blow away
- Sunblock
- Wind jacket
- Warm long sleeve/fleece
- Pants
- Water and snacks
- Anti-nausea pills/ginger ale
- Binoculars
Not sure what binoculars to buy? Check out How to Choose the Best Binoculars for You.
Staying Healthy
If you think you won’t do well on a boat, or have a history of seasickness, then you should definitely plan ahead. Bring anti-nausea medication, drink ginger ale, and know where in the boat to be to decrease your risk. For most people, the back of the boat will be the best place to be. Additionally, being outside with good airflow will help minimize your nausea symptoms. Lastly, focusing on the horizon line will help trick your mind and decrease symptoms.
Final Thoughts
No matter where you go, or the type of camera you have, whale watching is an amazing experience and one you’ll treasure forever. So, gather your friends, family, or neighbors, and plan a trip to one of the coasts. And whether or not you see a breach, tail fluke, or close encounter, simply seeing a whale in the wild will fill you with awe and put you on cloud nine.
