Set sail from Praia do Forte on a private schooner to watch migrating humpback whales after a short, informative briefing at the Baleia Jubarte Institute. This five-hour tour blends conservation-focused learning with hands-on whale watching from a traditional sail vessel.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The schooner slips away from a sand-edged beach as a salty wind pushes you out past the reef; spray cools your neck and the guide’s voice narrows into the radio of the open sea. Praia do Forte’s shoreline, a thin ribbon of palm and white sand north of Salvador, opens to a corridor where humpback whales migrate each year — calves and adults moving between feeding grounds and breeding lagoons.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
5 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires ability to board a small schooner and stand on deck for periods
Wildlife
History
Praia do Forte grew from fishing and colonial-era coastal defenses; the nearby Garcia D’Ávila ruins are a reminder of the region’s 16th–18th century colonial history.
Conservation
Local NGOs and the Baleia Jubarte Institute work closely with guides to enforce distance and speed rules during whale season; using reef-safe sunscreen and minimizing noise helps protect marine life.
Reserve your spot on the Private Whale Watching Adventure with Schooner Ride today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Attend the pre-departure briefing
The Baleia Jubarte Institute lecture covers safety and responsible viewing—arrive on time to get the most from the guides’ instructions.
Bring motion-sickness remedies
Open ocean stretches and a traditional schooner motion can unsettle sensitive riders; take medication or use acupressure bands before boarding.
Use reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
Strong sun and reflective water increase UV exposure—dress in sun-protective clothing and reapply reef-safe SPF.
Pack a binocular and charged camera
Whale behavior can be distant and brief—binoculars and a zoom lens improve the experience without disturbing animals.
Binoculars or zoom lens
Helps spot blows and observe behavior without approaching the whales.
Motion-sickness medication or bands
Reduces discomfort on open-water crossings and rolling seas.
Reef-safe sunscreen and sun-protective clothing
Protects from strong equatorial sun while minimizing reef damage.
summer
Light windproof jacket
Useful for cooler mornings and spray when the schooner reaches open water.
winter