Whales are gentle mammals that live in the ocean. They have no natural predators, so they are usually very friendly to humans when they encounter them out on the water. I recently went kayaking with whales and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life! I will never forget how beautiful these animals were or how close we came to them while we paddled near their home. If you ever get a chance to see whales up close, don’t pass it up! They’re incredible creatures that deserve our attention.
The chance to kayak with whales does not happen too often. They are wild animals and it’s rare for them to approach boats, kayaks or people that closely because they fear us. You can’t expect to be able to kayak with whales every time you go out on the water! Be thankful for what you get because it will astound you at how close these huge, beautiful creatures come.
What Precautions To Take
Keep Your Distance From Whales
Whales appreciate space as much as we do. They will swim away from us if they feel uncomfortable around people or boats. Always keep at least 50 feet from whales when kayaking with them, and make sure they can see your kayak. This way you can kayak with whales without scaring them away.
Stay Quiet
Whales communicate with each other using sound. They will become scared if they hear loud kayaks or people kayaking with noisy equipment. If you’re kayaking near whales, try to be as quiet as possible while touring with the animals. You can still have a great time kayaking near them without speaking above a whisper!
Bring a Camera, Waterproof Case and Extra Batteries
Spotting whales isn’t guaranteed while kayaking, but if you get the chance to kayak close enough to them, you want to make sure that your camera is ready! Smart kayakers will have their cameras out and ready for action in order to capture videos and pictures of these amazing animals. Make sure your camera is protected from water and it’s always good to bring along an extra battery (or two) and plenty of memory cards or film. You never know when kayaking with whales might happen!
Avoid Sudden Moves Near Whales
If a whale gets scared by kayakers, it might go into attack mode and injure someone in self defense. Whales are very large animals that weigh up to 150 tons, so don’t be stupid! Always move slowly around these gentle giants so that you don’t startle or scare them off. They’ll appreciate the respect and usually come over for a closer look.
Gears To Take When Kayaking With Whales
Waterproof Camera
You want a waterproof camera when kayaking in case you get the chance to kayak alongside a whale. Make sure your waterproof camera is ready before going out on the water because kayaking with whales doesn’t happen too often, kayakers kayak with whales .
Extra Paddles
If you lose your paddle kayaking with whales, it will be hard to kayak back to shore safely. You might even get pulled out by the current into the ocean if you don’t have any kayaks nearby to help you paddle back! Always bring some extra kayaking equipment on kayaking trips in case something like that happens.
Spare Clothing and a Towel
It can get pretty hot during the summer when kayaking, so make sure you bring spare clothing. There’s nothing worse than getting wet and sweaty when someone offers an amazing experience like bringing a humpback whale up close to kayak! You’ll also want a towel for drying off and cleaning kayaks. Don’t forget the sunscreen, too; kayaking with whales can be dangerous because of exposure to UV rays from the sun.
Emergency Kayak Repair Kit
If your kayak gets damaged or has holes in it, you need to fix them as quickly as possible so you don’t sink and drown. Make sure you bring an emergency kayak repair kit on kayaking trips so this doesn’t happen when kayaking with whales .
Dry suit
You never know how cold the water might be so wearing something that will keep you dry – like a dry suit – is important for kayakers kayaking with whales . Even in summer months the water can be colder than what you’re used to and hypothermia can set in pretty quickly. Kayak whale tours are not recommended if it’s raining either because of lightning risks.
