Easy to see whales

 

Whale Watching In Thailand

Did you know you can go whale watching in Thailand? Even frequent visitors to Thailand are surprised that whales can be spotted in Thai waters. If you’re a nature lover or marine enthusiast, Thailand’s coastal waters offer a wonderful opportunity to witness these majestic creatures up close. 

Image: by Lilin

Types of whales in Thailand

The star of whale watching in Thailand is the Bryde’s whale (pronounced ‘broodus’). This species (named after Norwegian businessman and whaler, Johan Bryde) prefers warmer waters and is commonly found in tropical regions like Southeast Asia. Unlike other whales that migrate to colder climates during certain times of the year, Bryde’s whales remain in tropical waters year-round, making Thailand a reliable spot to see them. 

Bryde’s whales use a filter-feeding system with fringed plates or bristles, known as ‘baleen’, hanging from the whales’ mouths. These act as sieves to strain seawater for food and make for a spectacular sight when the whale is feeding.  When they feed, Bryde’s whales first open their mouths when they are underwater. They then surge upwards above the sea surface with their mouths still wide open as they expel the water and use the baleen to filter out the food they need like fish and krill.

Bryde’s whales are relatively small compared to their cousins, such as blue whales or humpbacks, but they still make an imposing sight and can grow up to 15 metres in length and weigh up to 20 tons. 

Image : Bryde’s whale witn Bangkok view in the background : by Lilin

Best locations to see whales in Thailand

Thailand’s long coastline provides numerous spots for whale watching. However, several key areas along the Gulf Coast are particularly known for whale sightings, each offering a unique experience. Naturally, there are no guarantees, but if you visit at specific times of the year there is a decent chance of seeing whales especially if you book a tour with knowledgeable local companies and guides who know the best locations and times to spot them.

Phetchaburi and Samut Sakhon

Best time for whale watching: August to October

The most popular whale watching spot in Thailand is in the Upper Gulf, particularly around Phetchaburi and Samut Sakhon provinces. These locations are convenient for Bangkok and are ideal for a day trip from the Thai capital. The relatively shallow waters attract large numbers of anchovies, which in turn draw Bryde’s whales. Tours usually leave from fishing villages such as Bang Tabun in Phetchaburi or Mahachai in Samut Sakhon, and tourists can expect to spend several hours out on the water.

Whale watching tours from this area offer the opportunity to observe the Bryde’s whale in its natural habitat, often seen breaching or performing ‘lunge feeding’ where the whales surface with mouths agape to scoop up schools of fish. Proximity to Bangkok and a good chance of spotting whales make this one of the most popular whale watching areas in Thailand.

Nearest aria to see whales

I’ve spent plenty of time over the years on or around Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River, its banks lined with historic buildings, hotels, temples, and restaurants, its water a thoroughfare for commuting ferries and barge traffic. So much to explore and ideal for a sundowner at a bar. But I’d never been to its final destination, where it empties into the sea in the upper Gulf of Thailand. And I certainly never expected to find whales there.

Top Whale Watching Location

The Gulf of Thailand

The Gulf of Thailand is conveniently located near Bangkok, making it ideal for a day trip from the capital. It’s the best place to spot Bryde’s whales, particularly around Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan provinces.(and some of  Bangkok area name Bang khun thian )

The relatively shallow, plankton-rich waters attract anchovies, which in turn draw Bryde’s whales to feed. Also, the Gulf’s gentle waves make it easy to observe whale activity without rough conditions. Most tours depart from fishing villages like Mahachai in Samut Sakhon and typically last several hours.

The combination of Bangkok’s proximity and excellent chances of spotting whales makes this region a top choice for whale watching in Thailand.

Typical tour Itinerary

Most tours last around 4–6 hours, starting in the morning to catch the whales at their most active. You’ll cruise through the Gulf of Thailand, guided by experts who share insights about the whales and their habitat. Tours often include light refreshments and essential gear, like binoculars.

These tours offer an up-close look at Bryde’s whales in their natural habitat. Visitors often witness spectacular behaviors like breaching or lunge feeding, where the whales surface with their mouths wide open to scoop up schools of fish.

Here we go

A fishing village over 100 years old, located amidst mangrove forests on both sides of a canal before reaching the sea. Most of the villagers work as local fishermen, setting traps, trapping, fishing nets, catching fish, catching shrimp, and raising mussels.

Ethical whale watching tours 

Whale watching in Thailand is an incredible experience, but it’s important to choose a tour operator that prioritises the well-being of the animals. Look for tours that follow responsible whale watching guidelines, such as maintaining a safe distance from the whales, not chasing or cornering them, and minimising noise and pollution.

Many local tour operators work in collaboration with conservation organisations to ensure that their activities are sustainable and do not harm the marine environment. When booking a whale watching tour, ask about their conservation efforts and ensure that they are operating in a way that protects the whales and other marine life.

Lesson Learn

During  guide briefs about the trip.

Whales evolved from land-living mammals, and must regularly surface to breathe air, although they can remain underwater for long periods of time. Some species, such as the sperm whale, can stay underwater for up to 90 minutes.

They have blowholes (modified nostrils) located on top of their heads, through which air is taken in and expelled. They are warm-blooded, and have a layer of fat, or blubber, under the skin. With streamlined fusiform bodies and two limbs that are modified into flippers, whales can travel at speeds of up to 20 knots, though they are not as flexible or agile as seals. Whales produce a great variety of vocalizations, notably the extended songs of the humpback whale. Although whales are widespread, most species prefer the colder waters of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and migrate to the equator to give birth. Species such as humpbacks and blue whales are capable of travelling thousands of miles without feeding. Males typically mate with multiple females every year, but females only mate every two to three years. Calves are typically born in the spring and summer; females bear all the responsibility for raising them. Mothers in some species fast and nurse their young for one to two years.

From Land to Sea

Whales evolved from land-living mammals, and must regularly surface to breathe air, although they can remain underwater for long periods of time. Some species, such as the sperm whale, can stay underwater for up to 90 minutes. They have blowholes (modified nostrils) located on top of their heads, through which air is taken in and expelled. They are warm-blooded, and have a layer of fat, or blubber, under the skin. With streamlined fusiform bodies and two limbs that are modified into flippers,

The skeleton is simple and light, being that in the water it no longer has to support the body mass. The spongy bones, covered with a thin layer of compact bone, have a very fatty marrow and, historically, represented a third of the volume of oil harvested from the whale.

Whales have arm, wrist & finger bones in their front fins

Head and Teeth

In the course of evolution, the two nasal passages moved to the top of the skull. However, at the skin’s surface, while we find two blowholes in baleen whales, toothed whales have but one. As soon as they break the surface, cetaceans inhale without having to move their head. Likewise, the snout grew longer to become the rostrum. Most toothed whales have identical, cone-shaped teeth which they use to capture and tear apart their prey, while their stomach does all the digesting. The harbour porpoise sports spade-shaped teeth.

On the upper deck we see many terns flying behind our boat and fishing boats.

fishing boat

ปลากะตัก

Anchovies or Stolephorus are small marine fish of the genus Stolephorus in the family Engraulidae. General characteristics: It is a small surface fish that lives in schools. Its body is elongated and slender, flattened on the sides with a spine on its belly. Its upper jaw extends beyond its eyes. It has a single dorsal fin and a deeply forked caudal fin. There is a silver stripe running the length of its body. Anchovies are also an important food source for larger fish and aquatic animals, such as seabirds, seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales, and sharks.

Guide use binoculars
 to search for whales from the top of the pilot house

Greater Crested Tern

Little Tern

White-winged Tern

Whiskered Tern

  
Finally he found our target , Two whales is about 500 metres from us.

Bryde's whales closely resemble their close relative the sei whale. They are remarkably elongated (even more so than fin whales), with the greatest height of the body being one seventh their total length—compared to 1/6.5 to 1/6.75 in fin whales and only 1/5.5 in sei whales. Bryde's are dark smoky grey dorsally and usually white ventrally, whereas sei whales are often a galvanized blue-grey dorsally and have a variably sized white patch on the throat, a posteriorly oriented white anchor-shaped marking between the pectoral fins, and are blue-grey beyond the anus

Bryde's whales have an upright, falcate dorsal fin that is up to 46.25 cm (18.21 in) in height, average 34.4 cm (13.5 in), and is usually between 30 and 37.5 cm (11.8 and 14.8 in). It is often frayed or ragged along its rear margin and located about two-thirds of the way along the back. The broad, centrally notched tail flukes rarely break the surface. The flippers are small and slender

The Bryde's whale is a baleen whale, more specifically a rorqual belonging to the same group as blue whalesand humpback whales. It has twin blowholes with a low splashguard to the front. Like other rorquals, it has no teeth, but has two rows of baleen plates. Bryde's have a straight rostrum with three longitudinal ridges that extend from the blowholes, where the auxiliary ridges begin as depressions, to the tip of the rostrum. The sei whale, like other rorquals, has a single median ridge, as well as a slightly arched rostrum, which is accentuated at the tip. Bryde's usually have dark grey lower jaws, whereas sei whales are lighter grey. Bryde's have 250–370 pairs of short, slate grey baleen plates with long, coarse, lighter grey or white bristles that are 40 cm (16 in) long by 20 cm (7.9 in) wide, while sei whales have longer, black or dark grey baleen plates with short, curling, wool-like bristles.

Their blow is columnar or bushy, about 3.0–4.0 m (10–13 ft) high. Sometimes, they blow or exhale while under water. Bryde's whales display seemingly erratic behaviour compared to other baleen whales, because they surface at irregular intervals and can change directions for unknown reasons.

They regularly dive for about 5–15 minutes (maximum of 20 minutes) after four to seven blows. Bryde's whales are capable of reaching depths down to 292 metres (958 ft). When submerging, these whales do not display their flukes. Bryde's whales commonly swim at 1.6–6.4 km/h (1–4 mph), but can reach 19–24 km/h (12–15 mph). They sometimes generate short (0.4 seconds) powerful, low-frequency vocalizations that resemble a human moan.

Lunch by Brudy chef in Jeang’s boat

Diet

euphausiids or  krills 

Bryde's whales feed on a wide variety of fish, planktonic crustaceans, and cephalopods. In the western North Pacific, Bryde's whales caught by Japanese scientific whaling vessels (2000–2007) mainly fed on Japanese anchovy (Engraulis japonicus, 52%) and various species of euphausiid (36%, including Euphausia similis, E. gibboides, Thysanoessa gregaria, and Nematoscelis difficilis), as well as oceanic lightfish (Vinciguerria nimbaria, nearly 3%), and mackerels (Scomber spp., less than 2%). The prey differed by location and season. In coastal areas, euphausiids dominated the diet, comprising 89 and 75% of the diet in May and June, respectively. Further offshore, Japanese anchovy was the dominant species, accounting for nearly 100% of the diet in late summer. Based on the stomach contents of Bryde's whales caught by Japanese pelagic whaling expeditions in the North Pacific in the 1970s, the majority were found to feed on euphausiids (nearly 89%), whereas only about 11% fed on fish.

In the Pacific and northern Indian Ocean, Bryde's whales have been observed employing "tread-water feeding" or "trap feeding,"a behaviour more commonly known from the northern Gulf of Thailand which is also performed by humpback whales in the northeastern Pacific.

Saichon (The river) along side with Sairung( Rainbow) her son during trap feeding in moutn of the Chophraya river .

“Trap-Feeding” – Bryde’s feeding strategy

In trap-feeding, whales lie at the surface of the water with their mouths open. This allows shelter-seeking prey species such as herring and krill – which do not perceive a stationary object as a threat – to shoal into their open mouths. The whale then heaves its mouth closed, trapping hundreds of prey in a single gulp. This behaviour has been observed in the Gulf of Thailand in Bryde’s or Eden’s whales, and in Canada in humpback whales.

Over the past 13 years, Thailand has conducted a survey of the Bryde's whale population using Photo-ID, finding more than 100 Bryde's whales, with 92 named. There were 22 mothers and more than 60 calves.

The habitat and origin of the offspring is the upper part of the Gulf “ก”shaped area. There is still a plentiful food source of small fish. However, the area is shared with humans, namely fishing and commercial shipping routes.

Not far from here , at the sea meets the horizon, we see a pod of dolphins.

Irrawaddy dolphin

The Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a euryhaline species of oceanic dolphin found in scattered subpopulations near sea coasts and in estuaries and rivers in parts of the Bay of Bengal and Southeast Asia. It closely resembles the Australian snubfin dolphin (of the same genus, Orcaella), which was not described as a separate species until 2005. It has a slate blue to a slate gray color. Although found in much of the riverine and marine zones of South and Southeast Asia, the only concentrated lagoon populations are found in Chilika Lake in Odisha, India and Songkhla Lake in southern Thailand.

The Irrawaddy dolphin's colour is grey to dark slate blue, paler underneath, without a distinctive pattern. The dorsal fin is small and rounded behind the middle of the back. The forehead is high and rounded; the beak is lacking. The front of its snout is blunt. The flippers are broad and rounded. The finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides) is similar and has no back fin; the humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) is larger, and has a longer beak and a larger dorsal fin.It ranges in weight from 90 to 200 kg (200 to 440 lb) with a length of 2.3 m (7.5 ft) at full maturity.^[6][7] Maximum recorded length is 2.75 m (9.0 ft) of a male in Thailand. Wikipedia

After Whale Watching if you visit here during  December- April  don’t miss!

Bird center

Khok Kham is an area of salt farms close to Samut Sakorn (often written as Samut Sakhon, although Samut Sakorn gives a better indication to pronunciation) in the province of the same name and at first glance seems a fairly unlikely place to go birdwatching. However, large numbers of shorebirds, egrets and terns congregate here in the winter months with many exciting species seen regularly and this is an ideal place to go as a half day trip from Bangkok; a good option for those birders who have limited time.

This site is quite barren with very little vegetation and certainly no shade to speak of so it is a good idea to go armed with sunscreen and a hat; some people even bring along their own sunshades! At Khok Kham the birds can be quite distant at times and this is a location where a telescope is almost essential.

A number of roads and dirt tracks allow birders to get access to various parts of the site but this is really a site for keen birders, non-birders will find little of interest here, although there is a watch point from which dolphins can sometimes be spotted and several seafood restaurants make a nice afternoon break from the birding.

Birding Highlights

Shorebirds are the main attraction here, indeed, they are almost the only birds one is likely to see here due to a severe lack of vegetation but a plentiful supply of shallow water and mud. The most exciting species to look for at Khok Kham is of course Spoon-billed Sandpiper which is seen every year from about late October to the first few days of April, but which numbers no more than two or three birds at this site.

This critically endangered species is by no means the only attraction however, as every year there are species such as Great Knot, Nordmann's Greenshank, Asian Dowitcher and Long-toed Stint to search for. Other rarer species that can show up include Sharp-tailed Sandpiper and Red-necked Phalarope. A good number of Terns frequent this site too with CaspianTern and Gull-billed Tern are both commonly seen here. Although the number of salt pans here has decreased over recent years this is still a good place to see a large number and good variety of Thailand's wading birds.[thaibirding.com]

The spoon-billed sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea) is a small wader which breeds on the coasts of the Bering Sea and winters in Southeast Asia. This species is highly threatened, and it is said that since the 1970s the breeding population has decreased significantly. By 2000, the estimated breeding population of the species was 350–500.

 The most distinctive feature of this species is its spatulate bill. The breeding adult bird has a red-brown head, neck and breast with dark brown streaks, blackish upperparts with buff and pale rufous fringing. Non-breeding adults lack the reddish colouration, but have pale brownish-grey upperparts with whitish fringing to the wing-coverts. The underparts are white and the legs are black. It is 14–16 cm (5.5–6.3 in) long.

It’s said “Khok Kham is the easiest place in the world to see Spoon-billed Sandpiper.”

Red-necked  Stint

Curlew Sandpiper breeding

Common Redshank

Day Trip: Red footed Booby & Whale Watching in Petchburi

Mention whale watching in Thailand and you may get funny looks. Not widely known, the Gulf of Thailand is indeed home to whales, specifically Bryde’s (pronounced ‘bruda’) Whales. These majestic 15-metre long creatures live in the waters off Samut Songkhram and Petchburi provinces year round, but they flock to the northern gulf to feed on an abundance of anchovies during the rainy season.

Experiencing a close encounter with the whales in their natural environment requires a day trip, with a 1 to 1.5 hour drive from Bangkok to the gulf and a 4 to 5 hour leisurely boat ride through open waters, passing numerous fishing boats and huts. As Bryde’s Whales are endangered, there are only 50 or so left in the area; however, the chances of spotting them are good. Many have been given names and are individually recognized by whale watching guides and boat operators.

Several whale watching trips are organized throughout the year, and it is recommended that you go with a reputable organization such as Wild Encounters Thailand or ChomWhales of Love Wildlife Foundation. Both promote educational wildlife ecotourism. Conscious of the effects of tourism on the welfare of the animals, they will move slowly around the whales, keeping a safe distance. The latter also focuses on conservation and research, collecting data on the whales’ behaviour during the trips.

For all participants, the anticipation builds as the boat chugs along. About an hour into the ride, kids can keep an eye out for whale droppings in the form of fluorescent orange blobs on the water. They can also look for flocks of terns that await the chance to feed on the frenzied fish pursued by the whales, as well as for protruding dorsal fins and water patches whose surface has an odd sheen.

The first sighting will elicit screams of delight, with everyone clamouring for a good look. Subsequent sightings are just as thrilling. Often, the whales graze the surface of the water for a second or two, taking in air before submerging again. If you are lucky, a curious whale may swim right up to your boat. You may also see whales rising gracefully out of the water with their mouths agape to capture fish, showing off their pink underbellies.

21st June 2025 is a very special time to see Red footed booby

Yes, Red-footed Boobies (Sula sula) have been sighted in Thailand, though they are considered vagrants rather than native residents. They are large seabirds found in tropical regions, and while they are regularly seen in other parts of the world, their presence in Thailand is less common.

I just went whale watching in Samut Sakhon not long ago. But if you are someone who lives in the South or stays in Hua Hin or Cha-am, you will prefer to go to Bang Tabun, Phetchaburi, rather than Samut Sakhon. However, even though I am in Bangkok, when I heard that there was a Red footed booby staying in Bang Tabun Bay, for whatever reason, but since it had been staying for over a week, I wanted to come and see it because it is not often that we find this bird in the Gulf of Thailand.

My friend and I drove out of Bangkok at 5am to catch the boat we had booked at 7am. We arrived a little early and after having breakfast, it was time to board the boat. The boat we used was a small fishing boat converted into a tourist boat, which had complete safety and navigation equipment. The boat sailed from the dock for about 1 hour and arrived at the coastal fishing area, where we found our first booby, a white adult.

Red-footed Booby (Indopacific)Sula sula rubripes

Large seabird of offshore tropical waters around the globe; not seen from the mainland. Adult plumage is variable, but all have bright red feet and colorful bill and face; some have wholly brown plumage, others are white with a black trailing edge to the wings; the tail can be black or white. Immatures of all types are brown overall with dull pinkish feet. Looks smaller and more slender than other boobies, with more crooked wings. Nests on offshore islands (usually in trees and bushes, unlike other boobies, which nest on the ground)

Species Information

The ‘ā or red-footed booby is the smallest booby (Family: Sulidae), and like its Hawaiian relative, they live in tropical regions of both hemispheres. Three ‘ā (red-footed booby) subspecies are recognized, and one (S. s. rubripes) is resident in Hawai‘i. Individuals have long pointed wings and a relatively long, wedge-shaped tail. Several color phases exist, ranging from all brown to all white; almost all Hawaiian birds are white. Adult male and females are overall white, except for brownish black primary and secondary wing feathers; females are larger than males. Feet and legs orange to red, bill bluish except for base of lower mandible which is pinkish, and facial skin around bill ranges from pink to red and blue. Flight is characterized by strong flapping intercalated with gliding; may glide for long distances. ‘Ā (red-footed booby) forage alone or in hunting parties made of several species, generally feeding further from land than its other relatives. ‘Ā (red-footed booby) capture prey by plunge-diving generally from four to eight meters (13 – 26 feet) over the water. In Hawai‘i, diet is mainly comprised of flyingfish and squid, but also includes mackerel scads, saury, and anchovies. ‘Ā (red-footed booby) breed in colonies ranging from ten to ten thousand pairs and pairs generally retain mates throughout several breeding seasons. Unlike other boobies, ‘ā (red-footed booby) roost and build nests in shrubs or trees. In Hawai‘i, breeding season is synchronized, but can occur throughout the year. Egg laying peaks in February through April and most young have fledged by September. Both parents incubate egg, and brood and feed chick. Adults continue to feed young up to four months after learning how to fly. Birds first breed at three to four years of age and the oldest known individual was 22 years old.