Once a year, the north coast of São Paulo plays host to a beautiful spectacle of nature: humpback whales! These friendly animals are usually present in São Paulo’s waters from May to August, enchanting tourists with their acrobatics in the sea.
But if you want to see them, you should plan ahead. After all, you need to plan a trip to the north coast, in cities that are at least 2 hours away from São Paulo. What’s more, visitors must book tours to see the whales, and these are available now. At promotional prices!
Humpback whales: find out where and how to spot them
Humpback whales are seasonal visitors, peaking on the north coast of São Paulo in June and July. After enjoying the summer in the Antarctic seas, in winter they travel more than 5,000 kilometers to our coast to reproduce in warmer waters.
In 2024, for example, the Baleia à Vista (Whale in Plain Sight) Project broke the record for whale sightings on the north coast of São Paulo – around 70 a day. They pass close to the cities and even perform acrobatics for the “spectators”, performing spectacular leaps for those who come to visit them.
Some cities with a tradition of “welcoming the whales” are Ilhabela, Ubatuba, Bertioga and São Sebastião, where the season is greeted with much celebration and expectation. After all, the appearance of whales attracts a large number of tourists and investments to the north coast of São Paulo.
So if you want to see these cetaceans up close, you can book a getaway now! After all, the sale of whale watching tours has already begun, with discounts of up to 25% for those who buy in advance.
Rules for spotting whales on the north coast of São Paulo
Once you arrive on the coast, it’s important to be aware of the rules for enjoying the whale season in a safe and sustainable way.
First of all, you need to go on an authorized boat. The boat must be 100 meters away from the animal, with a neutral engine and a maximum stay of half an hour. It is forbidden to swim or dive near them.
For more information on authorized tours, check out the North Coast Circuit website.
