🐋 When to go whale watching in Brazil: seasons by region

On the southern coast of Brazil, southern right whales come close to shore, and humpbacks gather in Bahia. In the northeast, dolphins enter the bays. You can reliably see them in only five places.

We've put together these spots with seasons, rules, and logistics. In Pipa, dolphins come right up to the cliffs on their own, no boat needed.

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What to know before you go

💡 In short:

Plan your trip for July to November if you want humpbacks: in other months, the whales head toward Antarctica.
Keep your distance and don't jump into the water.
Viewing rules and bay access (as of 09/2026): verified on the official website of the Projeto Golfinho Rotador project.

Dolphins in Pipa and Noronha stay in the bays year-round, so there are almost no bad months.

Location	Season	Who's near shore	How to watch
Praia do Rosa	July to November	southern right whales	from shore and by boat
Abrolhos	July to November	humpbacks	boat only
Itacaré	July to October	humpbacks	by boat from the town beach
Fernando de Noronha	year-round	spinner dolphins	from the viewpoint
Pipa	year-round	boto-cinza	from the cliffs, no boat needed

1. Praia do Rosa: whales right at the shore

Praia do Rosa beach with dunes and a green headland

Praia do Rosa bay lies in the municipality of Imbituba. The waters of Santa Catarina serve as a nursery for southern right whales, so mothers with calves stay very close to shore.

According to Rota da Baleia Franca, the season runs from July to November, with the peak in September. On a good day, you can see a whale from the viewpoint in the village. No boat required.

How to get there: from Florianópolis along the coastal highway, about an hour and a half by car.
Who it's for: if you want to combine whale watching with surfing and a quiet beach.
Where to stay: Hotels in Imbituba on Trip.com

2. Abrolhos: the main humpback nursery

Humpback whale tail above water off Abrolhos

Abrolhos Marine Park in Bahia became Brazil's first marine reserve. From July to November, humpbacks gather here, the country's largest breeding ground for the species, according to Revista Ecoturismo.

Boats depart from Caravelas every day. The trip to the archipelago takes about two hours. The water is clear. You can get good shots even with a phone, and the whales come with coral reefs and lagoon snorkeling.

How to get there: to Caravelas from Porto Seguro, then only by boat with a licensed guide.
Who it's for: if you want whales, reefs, and underwater photography in one trip.
Where to stay: Hotels in Caravelas on Trip.com

3. Itacaré: whales and tropical beaches

Itacaré from above: beach, boats, and town

Boats in Itacaré depart right from the town beach. You can get out to sea without any transfers. The humpback season here runs from July to October. During these months, whales come close to shore.

The town is small: lodges, cafés, and board rentals are all clustered on one street by the water. Local guides run the boats, and Itacaré itself thrives on ecotourism and surfing.

How to get there: the easiest route is via Ilhéus, with buses and transfers from there.
Who it's for: if you want a cozy lodge and a laid-back atmosphere without big hotels.

4. Fernando de Noronha: dolphins instead of whales

Dois Irmãos rocks above the turquoise bay of Noronha

Humpbacks are rare around the archipelago, but spinner dolphins come into the bay almost every day. Entering the water at Baía dos Golfinhos is prohibited. From the Mirante dos Golfinhos viewpoint you can see the animals from above. Researchers from Projeto Golfinho Rotador lend binoculars and explain the rules for free; the project has been running here since 1990.

According to a 2026 study, the number of dolphins in the bay fell by 59 percent (G1, 07/2026). Restrictions on the island are strict. Visitor numbers are regulated here.

How to get there: flights from Recife and Natal, plus a mandatory environmental fee on arrival.
Who it's for: if you want diving, turtles, and a quiet island without mass tourism.
The catch: there are few places to stay on the island, and accommodation gets expensive in high season.
Where to stay: Hotels in Fernando de Noronha on Trip.com

5. Pipa: dolphins right by the cliffs

Pipa is not part of the seasonal whale route, but Baía dos Golfinhos is home year-round to boto-cinza, coastal dolphins of the species Sotalia guianensis. The bay serves as a feeding and nursery area for them, so groups come right up to the cliffs and you don't need a boat to watch them (Revista Oeste, 08/2026).

The cliffs drop almost vertically into the water. From them you can see dolphins better than from a boat. Going out to sea is also possible, but the number of boats in the bay is limited (Viagem e Turismo).

How to get there: about an hour and a half from Natal; the village is small, and cars are left at the entrance.
Who it's for: if you want to see dolphins without a boat and without extra costs.
Where to stay: Hotels in Pipa on Trip.com

Tips: how to watch without causing harm

The hundred-meter rule applies both in parks and with licensed companies along the coast. Keep your distance. You cannot get closer, and jumping into the water near whales is also prohibited (whale-watching rules in protected areas, as of: 09/2026).

Don't focus on the size of the boat; focus on whether it has a permit to operate inside the protected area. Such companies monitor the distance themselves because they are responsible for the group.

Take a morning trip. The wind is lighter, there is less glare, and it's easier to catch a whale on camera. Keep your camera ready and use a faster shutter speed.

When to go and how to plan your budget

Demand is highest in September and October, so book accommodation and boats two to three weeks in advance.

The cost of a boat trip depends on the region and duration. In Abrolhos Marine Park, the ticket usually includes the park entry fee.

Whale watching fits well into a regular beach itinerary: no special equipment is needed, and coastal lodges operate year-round. Plan two windows for going out to sea. A backup day is useful if it's windy.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When can you see humpbacks in Brazil?

The season runs from July to November. The Abrolhos Archipelago offers the most reliable encounters; in Itacaré boats go out until the end of October. In Imbituba and Praia do Rosa, southern right whales, not humpbacks, stay close to shore. In other months the whales head to Antarctica, so you won't see them near the coast.

Can you see whales without a boat?

Yes. In Imbituba you can see whales from land, from the viewpoint in the village. In Abrolhos and Itacaré you can't do without a boat because the animals stay in open water. From shore you'll see less, but you'll save money and won't disturb the whales.

How much does whale and dolphin watching cost?

The price depends on the region and the length of the trip. In Abrolhos the cost usually includes the park entry fee, so the ticket is more expensive than a regular boat trip. The viewpoint in Imbituba and the cliffs in Pipa are free. Check current prices with the operator before your trip.

Is whale watching suitable for children?

Licensed operators provide life jackets and monitor the distance, so trips are usually calm. In Pipa and Noronha you can see dolphins from shore, and that's the easiest option for a family with children.

What rules should you follow?

Stay at least a hundred meters away, don't jump into the water near the animals, and keep quiet on the boat. Choose operators with an environmental license. The rules apply in protected areas and to all licensed companies along the coast, so such a company maintains the distance itself.

In short: what to book

If you want whales right by the shore: choose Imbituba and Praia do Rosa.
If you want to combine whales with reefs and snorkeling: choose Abrolhos.
If you want a whale near the beach plus surfing: choose Itacaré.
If you want dolphins year-round: choose Pipa or Fernando de Noronha.

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