Marine mammals, like orcas and dolphins, belong in the ocean, not in tanks or sea pens. Skip aquariums and other captive entertainment venues. Choose a Whale Heritage Area and experience marine mammals in the wild where they belong!
Did you know? Each Wildlife Heritage Area goes through an application process with specialized NGOs, wildlife experts, responsible tourism companies, and local communities to be considered. Each member must meet high standards of criteria including respectful human-wildlife coexistence, cultural significance, responsible wildlife tourism, governance, and management plan.
Dana Point, CA
Experience the first US Whale Heritage site at Dana Point, home to more dolphins per square mile than anywhere in the world. You can also spot Risso’s dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, humpback whales, fin whales, and more!
Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara Channel is home to many cetacean species, like bottlenose dolphins, common dolphins, and the blue whale. Known as the “Whale Superhighway,” the Santa Barbara Channel is one of the most important migration routes for whales along the West Coast.
Gulfo Dulce, Costa Rica
Experience tropical rainforests, beautiful beaches, and year-round dolphin and whale sightings. You can sign up for education workshops, wildlife-watching boat tours, or even attend special celebrations like the Golfito Whale Festival.
The habitat of marine mammals is impossible to re-create. Enclosures are designed to make the animals readily visible, not comfortable or mimic nature.
Marine mammals in the wild travel miles per day, diving hundreds of feet below. One 2014 study found that a captive male orca spent nearly 70% of his time virtually motionless.
Tanks and sea pens suppress the natural instinct to forage for food and prevent social interaction with large groups of closely bonded pod mates.
Diseases afflict captive marine mammals more frequently or more intensely than their free-ranging counterparts. Plus, they experience more stress-related conditions and psychosis.
Finding ethical wildlife experiences that don’t involve cruelty may seem difficult. So, what should an animal-loving tourist do? Choose responsible venues like Wildlife Heritage Areas where you can see amazing animals in the wild where they belong.