Right Whale Watching Tour Florianópolis: Imbituba Nursery

Right whales in their nursery, a whaling museum, and the coast where it all changed

A guided tour from Florianópolis to Imbituba's Right Whale Coast combines observation of mothers and calves in natural breeding bays with visits to the Right Whale Conservation Center and Museu da Baleia, an 18th-century whaling station. The day includes a short hike to Ribanceira Beach's observation deck, a historical talk at the old port, and lunch by the sea. A bilingual guide leads the group through seven to eight hours of travel and stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale watching and history tour

• Travel from Florianópolis to Imbituba
• Visit Right Whale Conservation Center
• Explore historic Museu da Baleia
• Attend historical talk at Mirante da Praia do Porto
• Hike to Ribanceira Beach observation deck
• Observe whales with guide's binoculars
• Enjoy seafood lunch by the sea
• Return to Florianópolis

The experience

The tour starts with a transfer from Florianópolis to Imbituba, about an hour's drive south along the coast. Once there, you move through three connected sites that tell the story of right whales and the region's transformation. The Right Whale Conservation Center sits alongside the bays where mothers nurse their calves from June through November, and a local monitor joins your guide to explain the whales' migration from Antarctica and what makes these waters a critical nursery. The exhibits are indoors, so you get the science before heading to the oceanfront lookouts to actually watch for the animals in the water.

Next comes the Museu da Baleia, the last remaining whaling station from the 18th century still standing in South America. Inside the historic building you see the tools, bone displays and artifacts from the era when this harbor was a center of whaling commerce. Your guide and a museum docent walk you through the grueling history and then the pivot: how Imbituba became a sanctuary instead. The Mirante da Praia do Porto, a lookout at the old port, gives you a panoramic view of the coast and a chance to spot whales while your guide connects the geography to the port's role in the whaling trade. Then you hike to the observation deck at Ribanceira Beach for another angle on the bays where the whales rest.

Lunch is a seafood meal by the sea near Ibiraque Lagoon, giving you time to sit with what you've seen and learned before the return drive to Florianópolis. The air-conditioned vehicle handles the road. The bilingual guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on the group.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned transfer from Florianópolis (on the Private Tour option).
• bilingual guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• entry to the Right Whale Conservation Center with a local monitor.
• entry to the Museu da Baleia with a museum docent.
• access to the Mirante da Praia do Porto lookout and the Ribanceira Beach observation deck.

Options for this experience

2 options

Shared tour (meeting point in Imbituba)Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · Available from 15 Aug 2027Lasts 4 hours. This tour is shorter because it does not include transfer from Florianópolis. Meeting point is Imbituba: drive yourself there, meet your guide, and climb into the guide's vehicle for a shared headland safari.

Private tour (departing from Floripa)Guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese · Available from 15 Aug 2027Door-to-door service: a bilingual driving guide and private round-trip transport that picks you up at your accommodation in Florianópolis.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Aug 2027

Book up to2d before

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by The Best of Florianopolis - Guided Tours

Is this one for you?Choose the Private Tour if you're staying in Florianópolis and want pickup from your hotel included. Pick the Shared Tour if you're already in Imbituba or prefer to meet the group there and save on the transfer cost. Either way, the fixed itinerary keeps all three historical sites and both whale observation points inside a single day.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I actually see right whales on this tour?

Right whales use Imbituba's calm bays as a nursery from June through November, and the tour includes two dedicated observation points: the oceanfront lookouts at the Right Whale Conservation Center and the observation deck at Ribanceira Beach. Your guide carries professional binoculars and knows where mothers and calves typically rest, but sightings depend on the season and the whales' movement on the day you visit.

What exactly is the Museu da Baleia?

The Museu da Baleia is the last 18th-century whaling station still standing in South America. Inside you see authentic tools, bone displays and artifacts from the era when Imbituba's harbor was a center of whaling commerce, followed by the story of how the community transformed the site into a conservation landmark.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The main physical activity is a short hike to the observation deck at Ribanceira Beach. The Right Whale Conservation Center and Museu da Baleia involve walking through indoor exhibits and outdoor lookouts, but no strenuous climbing. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

Do I need to book from Florianópolis or can I meet the group in Imbituba?

You have two options at checkout: the Shared Tour lets you meet the group directly in Imbituba, while the Private Tour includes pickup from your Florianópolis hotel and runs as a private group. Both follow the same itinerary and include the bilingual guide.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Lunch at the seafood restaurant by the sea is not included in the tour price, so you can choose what and where you eat or bring your own meal if you prefer.