I recently traveled to Colombia’s Pacific coast to fulfill one of my dreams: capturing whales with my drone. This adventure took me to Bahia Solano, a remote and beautiful location known for whale watching in Colombia.
Here, I share my experience, insights about the whale season, and the challenges of spotting these majestic creatures.
Table of Contents
Whale Watching in Colombia: A Unique Experience
First, it’s important to know that whales are not commonly seen on Colombia’s Caribbean coast, which is famous for its big cities and many activities.
For whale watching, you need to venture to the Pacific coast, which is more remote and wild. You can either take a long bus ride to Buenaventura and then a boat to Juanchaco or similar villages, or fly by small plane to even more secluded places like Nuquí or Bahia Solano.
It may feels unsafe to travel in such remote location. But actually Colombia is quite safe in general.
I chose Bahia Solano because it had the cheapest flight and planned to stay a few days hoping to see whales.
Whale Watching Season in Colombia
The whales you can spot here are mainly from one species—the humpback whale—which migrates from the south to Colombia’s Pacific coast.
They come seeking warmer, tranquil bays to give birth and care for their calves. The peak whale season in Colombia runs from mid-July to the end of November.
During this period, the bays fill with these incredible creatures, making it one of the best whale watching locations in South America.
Whale Behavior: Patience is Key
When whales first arrive in July, they tend to be shy and cautious, likely stressed from the long migration and the demands of giving birth.
The spectacular moments when whales breach and leap out of the water usually happen later in the season, from August through November, once they feel safe and familiar with their environment.
When I arrived in Bahia Solano, I felt a bit discouraged because it was still early in the season.
However, I regained hope after meeting Pedro, a local scuba diving instructor who had seen whales just a day before.
The whales were starting to arrive!
The Struggle to Spot Whales
Scuba Diving and First Attempts
On my first day, I decided to go scuba diving with Pedro, who runs the only PADI dive shop in Bahia Solano.
There is also an SSI dive shop here. The Pacific waters are teeming with life, from colorful fish and moray eels to turtles and, if you are lucky, whale sharks or even whales.
This is one of the best spot for scuba diving in Colombia.
We did two dives early in the morning, exploring vibrant coral trees and spotting various marine creatures, including large green moray eels and globe fish.
At the end of the second dive, during the safety stop at five meters, we could hear the whales nearby.
It was surreal, like a scene from a sci-fi movie. If you have never heard whale sounds underwater, I highly recommend looking it up online—it is an unforgettable experience.
Solo Adventure at Huina Beach
On my second day, I tried to find a boat to take me out to sea for whale watching and to fly my drone.
However, boats that stay long enough at sea are either fishing boats, which were already out early in the morning, or tourist fishing boats that go far offshore and charge very high prices—around 1,750,000 COP (about 400 USD).
The only boat I found went to smaller villages accessible only by sea.
I decided to visit Huina, a fishing village at the tip of the peninsula, hoping to be close to whales. Most hotels and hostels were closed since it was still off-season.
I flew my drone over the main beach, capturing stunning landscapes with lush green jungle and deep blue waters, but no whales appeared.
I then hiked across the peninsula to the other side, a pristine and wild beach that felt like a scene from Cast Away.
The waves were strong, and the area was untouched, with only a few local fishermen who also preferred to fish from the shore.
Flying my drone here revealed breathtaking views, but still no whales.
With no more drone batteries left, I returned to Bahia Solano feeling a bit hopeless.
However, that evening, I met a guy planning to dive the next day. I joined his group, not to dive but to get on the boat and try one last time to spot whales.
Last Day: The Final Chance at Bahia Solano
The next morning, full of hope, we went out on the boat.
The first dive happened inside the bay, so I stayed on the boat with the captain and flew my drone, hoping to spot shadows or whale tails with water spouts from their breathing.
We only saw a turtle nearby, which was still exciting.
After the divers returned, we ventured further out of the bay. A fishing boat we crossed told us they had seen whales near our destination. When we arrived, the whales were indeed there! It was incredible to see them, but also a bit frustrating.
While the divers explored underwater, I flew my drone trying to follow the whales’ path. I managed to capture video and photos of two large whales and a baby on the surface.
It was a quick but magical moment, likely a mother with her calf and possibly another adult nearby.
After that, silence. I flew my drone one last time with my remaining battery but saw nothing.
As I packed up, the whales surfaced right next to our boat. Their breathing was loud and impressive. I caught a quick video before they disappeared again.
Conclusion: Dream Achieved, Adventure Worth It
After three days of trying everything to see and capture whales, I finally succeeded on the last day.
Although the pictures and videos were not perfect and opportunities were limited because it was still early in the whale season, this experience means I must return to capture more of these magnificent creatures.
This adventure was truly amazing. I highly recommend Bahia Solano to anyone who loves wildlife, local culture, and off-the-beaten-path destinations with fewer tourists. It is a spectacular place to witness wild animals in Colombia and enjoy unforgettable whale watching in South America.
If you are looking for an authentic whale watching location in Colombia, Bahia Solano is a top choice. The combination of rich marine life, stunning landscapes, and warm local communities makes it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventurers alike.
Freebie For You !
Thanks for sticking around until the end — that really means a lot. To show my appreciation, I’ve prepared something special for you: a Travel Guide 101 packed with my favorite tips, useful websites, and practical info to help you plan your next adventure.
