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Mompiche – From Mompiche it is possible to get whale watching tours from operators who hang out on the beach. Such tours can also visit Isla Jupiter, where some tourists are lucky enough to swim with dolphins, and later visit mangroves. Mompiche is best reached by taking a bus to Esmeraldas or Atacames, which takes 6 or 7 hours, and then changing to take another bus to Mompiche, which takes 90 minutes from Esmeraldas or one hour from Atacames.
Ballenita – Ballenita, or “little whale” as its name is translated is a good spot to pick up a whale watching tour. In this town, it is even possible to see whales from beachside restaurants if you are lucky. Ballenita is accessible by bus.
Bahia de Caraquez – the “Eco City” of Bahia is a nice place to pick up a whale watching trip. Tours can be arranged in the town. The town can be reached by bus from Quito, which takes about 8 hours.
Other places to pick up a whale watching tour are: Montañita, Manta, Pedernales, Puerto Cayo, Tonsupa, Súa and Esmeraldas.
Costs
Whale watching trips usually last for about half a day and costs range from $20 to $25.
Travel Tips
It is advisable to take sea-sickness medicine before the trip. Good operators will have life jackets on board, so be sure to ask and to use them. Bring a plastic bag for your camera, and keep it in the bag when you are not using it, as small waves sometimes splash into seating areas. Bring a warm sweater for the boat because it can sometimes get chilly.
