Enjoy Whale Watching Humpback Whales in the Colombian Pacific

With an area of 83,170 km², which is 7% of Colombian territory, the Pacific is one of the wettest regions on the planet with rainfall of more than ten million cubic millimeters per year. Comprising the departments of Chocó, Cauca, Nariño, and Valle del Cauca, the Colombian Pacific is primarily inhabited by 1.5 million people, mostly indigenous and Afro-descendant communities.

The cultural richness of the area is accompanied by the natural, hydrographic, mineral, and forest diversity of this region. To the north, where the Baudó mountain range extends into the ocean, forming bays and inlets, it is possible to find jungle areas with great biodiversity. The south, flatter and crossed by flowing rivers, is characterized by its cliffs and beaches lined with mangroves. The Pacific attracts hundreds of national and international tourists annually with its magical attractions, many of which are still safeguarded within the landscape. We invite you to responsibly discover some of the most authentic adventures in this area of the country.

A spectacle worth experiencing at least once in a lifetime

One of the main activities that attracts all kinds of adventurers each year is the whale watching in the Pacific Ocean. Between mid-June and late October or early November, this coast of the country is fortunate to be one of the stops for humpback whales, where they breed and give birth. After swimming nearly 8,500 kilometers from Antarctica, where they feed during the summer in polar regions, the whales spend some time in this area of the country thanks to its tropical waters.

The Colombian Pacific has not only the quality, temperature, and depth of its waters in its favor, but also the area is characterized by its tranquility both on land and in water. This is ideal for people to observe how whales come out of the sea, sing to communicate with each other over great distances, and watch as they teach their calves to make their first leaps out of the water.

Favorite destinations

There are three favorite places for nature lovers where it is possible to see humpback whales: Bahía Málaga in the department of Valle del Cauca, Nuquí in Chocó, and Gorgona in the department of Cauca. In the case of the Gorgona National Natural Park — which can be reached from Guapi in an hour and a half by boat — you can see fins, tails, and sometimes leaps where whales expose their bodies of up to eighteen meters long.

Chocó is predominantly jungle and has beautiful beaches like Nuquí and Bahía Solano, where tourists can enjoy the natural landscapes, some predominantly untouched. To reach these destinations, it is recommended to first arrive in Medellín, from where small charter flights depart to the Chocó Pacific, which is not accessible by road.

To the Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park, located in the north of the city of Buenaventura and considered one of the best places for this type of observation, there are different ways to get there. One is by air from Bogotá to Buenaventura and by sea from Buenaventura to Juanchaco. Another option is by air or land from Bogotá to Cali, from Cali to Buenaventura by land, and finally, by sea from Buenaventura to Juanchaco.

An emerging destination is Tumaco and its islands, such as Bocagrande, located near the border with Ecuador, where more and more people arrive to observe humpback whales and appreciate the unexplored natural beauty of the "Pearl of the Pacific". Regular flights to this destination depart from Cali and Bogotá, although another option is to drive four hours from the city of Pasto.

The activity entirely depends on the whales, so one must be patient and take the time to observe them in their full splendor. Whale watching is recommended during the early morning or late afternoon, times when the sea waters are calmer and the sunlight is softer.

The possibility of observing these species in their natural habitat has allowed travelers to not only take home images of how powerful nature can be, but also to learn and understand in a more experiential way the importance of the flora and fauna that inhabit the waters and lands of the Pacific. Additionally, observing these species has helped contribute to their analysis and preservation, allowing us more time to enjoy this activity.

For responsible whale watching, Colombia's National Parks recommend:

Attend the corresponding induction about the protected area.
Maintain a distance of at least 200 meters when whale watching at sea.
Vessels must have an environmental interpreter.
The permitted time is approximately between eight in the morning and four in the afternoon.
Do not enter or leave plastic in any of the protected areas.
Do not provoke or seek to approach the animals.

Enjoy what the Pacific has to offer you

Colombia has a strategic location that allows it to have a great biodiversity and variety of climates and ecosystems. In the case of the Colombian Pacific — an ancestral and cultural zone — it is possible to live unique experiences. With the diversity of its landscape and the variety of its musical rhythms and foods, this coast offers plans that can only be experienced in that part of the country.

Here you can not only enjoy the different beaches, such as those of Tumaco and Buenaventura, but also dive among the coral formations in Malpelo where you can see hammerhead and silky sharks, or relax in the turquoise hot springs found in Nuquí. You will also be able to experience the traditional flavors of the cuisine, which is characterized by its strong African influence and enjoy traditional music (or attend festivals like the Petronio Álvarez Pacific Music Festival) where percussion predominates.