Where to go whale watching in Colombia? At our Valle del Cauca! - Spiwak Hotels

If you’re now regretting not having planned your trip to see whales in Colombia, this information might be for you.

Because from Spiwak Hotels, we want to invite you not to miss this unique spectacle of mating, birth, and nurturing of humpback whales, a celebratory phenomenon of life that you can still marvel at in the beautiful waters of our Colombian Pacific.

If you're interested in learning more about this and finding out how to witness this unparalleled moment, read on for more details.






The humpback whales, also known as “humpback whales”, travel to our coasts after covering about 8,500 kilometers from Antarctica in search of warm, clean, and calm waters.

In our seas, they seek to rest, mate, give birth, and nurse their young, striving to find a safe environment that requires less energy for maintaining their body temperature, and where the absence of their natural predators allows their calves to grow in peace.


Where to see whales in Colombia? In the Valle del Cauca!

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It is commonly considered that the whale season in Colombia begins on July 1 and ends on October 20.

While August and September are the ideal months for whale watching, it is reported that between May and June they start to arrive in Colombian waters, and it is until November that it is possible to admire them in our country.


Humpback whale spotted by tourists' boat in the Colombian Pacific

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As an ecotourism activity, whale watching in Colombia is widely popular along our Pacific Ocean, with very popular destinations including:

• Bahía Cúpica, Bahía Solano, Utría, Nuquí, and Bajo Baudó in the Chocó department.


• Isla Gorgona, Guapí, and Timbiquí in the Cauca department.


• Tumaco, Cabo Manglares, and Mosquera in the Nariño department.

However, one of the best places to see whales in Colombia is the Pacific coast of our Valle del Cauca department, specifically in the following three (3) areas:

• Buenaventura


• Uramba Bahía Málaga National Natural Park


• Malpelo Island

Map of humpback whale sightings in the Colombian Pacific, regions: Chocó, Nariño, Valle del Cauca, Cauca, and Nariño

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The Buenaventura Tourist Pier is the starting point for all whale watching activities in our region, as boats depart from here to observation points not far from this port.

Although some claim that it is possible to see these enormous mammals from Buenaventura itself, taking these boats is also a very convenient idea because they take you to nearby shores for a serene enjoyment of sun and sand at places such as Playa Dorada Magüipi,Playa Piagüita,La BocanaandPunta Soldado, all of which are protected and served by their communities (some with nice hostels where you can stay, restaurants with exquisite local Pacific cuisine, and beautiful natural attractions such as Charco Escondido, the Paso del Duende, and the Charco de la Dicha).

It is important to check the schedules and departure frequencies of these boats, so we recommend verifying this information in advance with the respective boat cooperatives operating at the pier.


Buenaventura Tourist Pier in Valle del Cauca

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If time and distance to travel by boat from Buenaventura are not a problem, the beaches and villages of Ladrilleros,Juanchaco,La BarraandBahía Málaga are popular with tourists who leisurely arrive to see the whales either from land (at the so-called “Whale Watcher’s Viewpoint” in Ladrilleros) or from authorized boats taken from various docks in these villages within the Uramba National Natural Park Bahía Málaga.

For a beautiful complementary experience, places such as the Las Tres Marías Spa; the La Sierpe Waterfalls and Ostional; the natural arch of Isla La Palma; the beaches of Juan de Dios and Chucheros, and the communities of La Plata,Puerto Españaand Miramar allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of these places, learn about the lifestyle of the local inhabitants, and promote the protection efforts of the park's ecosystems.

Additionally, it is a very popular spot for adventure enthusiasts and sportspeople who enjoy kayaking, boat rides, cliff walks, and caving.
For a beautiful complementary experience, places such as the Las Tres Marías Spa; the La Sierpe Waterfalls and Ostional; the natural arch of Isla La Palma; the beaches of Juan de Dios and Chucheros, and the communities of La Plata,Puerto Españaand Miramar allow visitors to enjoy the beauty of these places, learn about the lifestyle of the local inhabitants, and promote the protection efforts of the park's ecosystems.

Additionally, it is a very popular spot for adventure enthusiasts and sportspeople who enjoy kayaking, boat rides, cliff walks, and caving.


Communities of Bahía Málaga

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Although considered one of the best destinations on the planet for diving and swimming with sharks (especially the whale shark and hammerhead shark), the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary has also been reported as a place to observe humpback whales, but with more limited access due to the enormous distance between this island and the Colombian coast, as well as the physical requirements and conditions imposed.

At this point, and considering it is an ocean expedition, the trip to Malpelo is made by boat and takes between 30 to 40 hours, depending on weather conditions and tide states.

These cruises are usually taken by scientists and advanced diving enthusiasts due to the type of currents that dominate around the island, and they have cabins that require reservations well in advance as there are no (and no camping, lodging, or restaurants are allowed) on Malpelo, being a natural heritage monitored by the Colombian National Navy.


Malpelo Island in the Colombian Pacific

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Given the good road connectivity and proximity of our departmental capital to the port of Buenaventura, it is very easy to plan the logistics to travel to these sites and witness this beautiful natural event.

From Cali, one option is to hire the services of a tour operator such as Valley Adventours,Travelgrafía,Viajes Colombia Viva,Colombia Travel & Vacations Group,Adrenaline Colombia,Seven Travel, or Aviatur, all of which offer interesting tours in collaboration with local boatmen and fishermen communities of the Pacific, as well as with transport and hotel companies, making this alternative a more comfortable, artisanal, and supportive way to travel.

For those who prefer to plan their own trip, there are buses from companies like Corredor del Pacífico and Flota La Magdalena, which provide land transport for passengers in approximately 3 hours from Cali Transport Terminal to the bus station located very close to the Buenaventura Tourist Dock, where you can hire guides and take boats to the previously mentioned beaches or observation points.

From other cities in the country, tour operators such as Territorio Explora in Pereira, Baquianos Travel in Santa Marta, Ecoglobal Expeditions in Medellín, or Whale Watching in Bogotá, also offer preset packages to experience the easiest and most beautiful way to observe these magnificent cetaceans.

Additionally, there are direct flights from Bogotá and Medellín to the Gerardo Tovar López Airport in Buenaventura, which is facilitated by airlines such as Satena.

It is important to note that there are currently no air connections from the Alfonso Bonilla Aragón International Airport to Buenaventura. Therefore, we recommend that anyone arriving on an international flight to our city first rest in Cali with a brief and restorative stay of at least one day, and then proceed to Buenaventura.

It is also worth mentioning that if you wish to reach Malpelo Island, the Malpelo Foundation allows travel aboard its ship, theFerox offers opportunities to spot wildlife and educate the crew on the conservation and rescue tasks it organizes. There is also the option to board the Seawolf, through the agency El Mejor Buceo.

Lastly, on page 59 of this beautiful whale watching guide, you can find more information about agencies and accommodations that provide travel and lodging services for those interested in visiting these places to observe our magnificent whales.

We hope this information is useful to you. Have a great trip!

Spiwak Hotels: your most complete lodging option in Cali. Located in the north of the city and just half an hour from Alfonso Bonilla Aragón Airport, close to the Zona Rosa, the Granada gastronomic district, and with easy access to Chipichape Shopping Center. 493 suites, parking, and 12 rooms for social and business events. We are the largest hotel complex in Valle del Cauca!