My Adventure to observe Whales in Colombia

The captain looks me in the eye and says: “Only 10% battery left on your drone, hermano.” My heart races. Adrien desperately scans his control screen, but it’s impossible to locate us on this vast blue expanse of the Colombian Pacific. And I was dreaming of filming the whales with our new toy…

But let’s start at the beginning of this adventure that reminded me why I love this wild coast so much.

TOM’S ADVICE

Take a quick look at our partner ecolodges that offer a stay dedicated to whale watching. And they are not the only animals you can encounter in Colombia.

My spectacular arrival on the Pacific coast

The contrast struck me (as it does every time) as soon as I got off the plane. 30 minutes only to go from the orange rooftops of Medellín to this thick jungle that spills onto black volcanic sand beaches. I got chills in that little 40-seater plane that sways as it flies over the western Andes mountain range – and believe me, seeing Medellín shrink from the air is both magnificent and slightly scary.

First instinct upon arrival: rush to a menu del día with grilled tuna and coconut rice. You’ll quickly understand that in the Pacific, it’s sacred.

Whale watching: between dream and reality

Are we going to be able to see them? I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

The departure with Vanessa, our passionate biologist

7 AM, heading to the small port. Vanessa, a marine biologist and partner of one of our ecolodges, is waiting for us with her contagious smile. I had chosen a private tour to be able to combine whale watching, snorkeling, and waterfall – the best decision ever.

ADRIEN’S ADVICE

End of September marks the end of whale season (July-October). There are fewer people and more availability in nice accommodations, but a bit fewer acrobatic shows than in July-August when the males are showing off.

The magical moment: my first whale

20 minutes. That’s all it took for Nené, our captain with eagle eyes, to spot the first water spout on the horizon. The secret? Stare at the sea until you see those natural geysers they create when they breathe.

Then there… BOOM! A whale jumping completely out of the water, as if levitating. I saw the scene in slow motion, mouth open like a kid. My phone? Still in my pocket, of course.

We were 4 whales and us, alone in the world. Not a boat on the horizon. They breathed every 5 minutes, staying on the surface for a minute – enough for us to realize they are bigger than our boat.

The lost (or almost) drone drama

Boat Tour whales Bahia Solano Pacific Coast Colombia - snorkeling

So, hold on. First flight with our new drone over the Pacific. Adrien at the controls, me more stressed than ever. Suddenly, just blue on the screen. Impossible to find the boat. The battery? 10% and dropping.

My heart stopped. Hundreds of euros that were going to end up at the bottom of the ocean. Fortunately, Nené recognizes a piece of the island on the screen and guides us. Engines at full speed, race against time. At 3% battery, miracle: we recover our baby. I aged 10 years in 5 minutes.

The Hidden Gems of the Tour

Whales are present all along the Pacific coast, so you have a good chance of spotting them on your way to other cool spots. Might as well take advantage of it and combine whale watching with another activity.

Nabuga Waterfall: A White Curtain in the Jungle

After the excitement, head to Nabuga. 20 minutes of walking on a black sand beach to discover this waterfall cascading down the cliff like a white coat. Cool water after the Pacific heat? Paradise.

Picnic fiambre with tuna steak, coconut rice, and salad. I love this concept: your meal wrapped in a large plantain banana leaf, you eat with your hands or an aluminum spoon. All recyclable, incredible flavors, and that Pacific authenticity I seek.

The Whales’ Farewell Gift

On the way back, once again: a mother, her calf, and an escort male. One last spectacular jump, as if to say “see you later,” and they continued their journey peacefully to… where exactly? Mystery.

TOM’S ADVICE

On another day at sea, heading to Utría Park — another great spot for whale watching, south of El Valle — I had the chance to follow a harpoon fisherman. During our underwater dives, I could hear the whales’ songs resonating underwater. A memory that still gives me chills.

Why choose our local partners

Vanessa and her team are not just guides. They are passionate biologists who truly respect the whales: engines off, safe distance, zero stress for the animals. Esteban, the CEO, has trained the entire team and it shows.

They speak English, and one of them even speaks French. But most importantly, they know these waters like the back of their hand and know how to create an authentic and responsible experience.

This team works exclusively in Bahía Solano, but there are plenty of other great spots for whale watching, with amazing accommodations to mix a romantic stay, comfort, and adventure. Every partner we recommend can help you integrate a great whale watching tour (or even two) with local, serious, and passionate people.

How to easily watch whales

Do you want to experience this without the hassle of organizing?

Check out our Pacific experiences pages – each accommodation has its own character, atmosphere, and little extras that make a difference. Lodging on an isolated beach? Treehouse with a jungle view? Comfortable cabins surrounded by a tropical garden?

Once you’ve fallen in love with a place, it’s super simple: fill out our form in 2 minutes and you’ll be in direct contact with the managers. No middleman. Just you and passionate people who will answer your questions and explain how to make the most of your stay.

Why do we do it differently? Because we’ve visited (and often stayed!) in each lodge, eaten at their table, and talked with their teams until late. They aren’t just “partners” on paper – they are friends who share our vision of authentic and responsible travel.