Choosing the Best Binoculars for Whale Watching

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Are you gearing up for an exciting whale watching expedition and seeking the perfect binoculars to make the most of your experience? Look no further! In this guide, I’ll help you choose the best binoculars for your adventure. From budget-friendly options to premium choices, get ready to enjoy the breathtaking world of whales like never before!

My search for binoculars began while looking for the best travel binoculars for Alaska. Luckily, an Alaskan Naturalist onboard my Holland America cruise helped curate this list of the best binoculars for whale watching.

Between his suggestions and my personal experience whale watching in Juneau and off the coast of Monterey, California, this list of the best binoculars was born.

Although it may be possible to see whale spouts and breaching whales without binoculars, trust me when I tell you that the view with binoculars is 1000% more spectacular.

If you’re wondering whether binoculars are necessary for whale watching, rest assured that having a pair on hand will greatly enhance your experience.

Our Holland America cruise included educational talks with a well-educated, experienced wildlife naturalist. During the talks, our naturalist shared his favorite wildlife watching binoculars.

Now, if you are here to learn about all the technical jargon of binoculars, this post isn’t for you.

However, if you want advice on what worked for this wildlife enthusiast when whale watching from a ship, the shore, or on Alaska whale watching excursions, then keep reading.

Let’s look at the top 4 best binoculars for whale watching, in no particular order that you should consider for your whale watching experience. I think number four will surprise you.

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Best Binoculars for Whale Watching

Best Compact Binoculars

Bushnell H2O Waterproof/ Fogproof Compact Roof Prism Binocular

Compact
Waterproof
Powerful

Buy on Amazon

Naturalist’s Preferred Binoculars

Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 Roof Prism Binocular

Clear optics
Easy to use
Durable

Buy on Amazon

Best Binoculars for Pictures

Adasion High Definition Binoculars with Phone Adapter and Foldable Tripod

Waterproof
Includes phone adapter for photos
Powerful

Buy on Amazon

Best Compact Binoculars

The Bushnell H2O Waterproof/Fogproof Compact Roof Prism Binocular is the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures!

Its high-quality roof prism design and multi-coated optics give you a crystal-clear view of your surroundings, even in low light conditions.

But what really sets the Bushnell H2O apart is its waterproof and fogproof construction. Whether you’re hiking through a rainforest or taking a boat out on the water, you can trust these binoculars to stay clear and functional no matter the weather.

These compact 100% waterproof binoculars are easy to pack and carry with you wherever you go. Their durable rubber coating allows them to withstand the wear and tear of even the most rugged adventures.

With its powerful 10x magnification and 25mm objective diameter, you’ll be able to see every detail of your surroundings with stunning clarity.

Adjust the large central focus knob to make these the best whale watching binoculars.

Why Choose the Bushnell Binoculars

Chances are, you will get wet if you are on a whale-watching excursion.

These Bushnell binoculars are compact and 100% waterproof, making them the perfect whale-watching binoculars.

Their low price and small size make them a fantastic economical choice for the best travel binoculars for whale watching.

Best Middle of the Road Binoculars

Looking for a pair of binoculars that can enhance your outdoor experiences? Look no further than the Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 Roof Prism Binocular. With superior optics, rugged construction, and unbeatable performance, this binocular is the ultimate companion for all your outdoor adventures.

Here are some of the key benefits of the Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 binoculars:

Crystal-Clear Optics: The binoculars feature fully multi-coated lenses that provide crystal-clear images, even in low light conditions. With a 10x magnification and a 42mm objective lens diameter, you can enjoy stunningly clear and bright images of your surroundings.
Durable and Lightweight: Made with a rugged rubber armor coating, this binocular is built to withstand the toughest outdoor conditions. It is fog proof and lightweight, making it easy to carry around with you on your adventures.
Easy to Use: The binocular features a smooth center focus wheel that allows you to quickly and easily adjust the focus, even with one hand. It also has twist-up eyecups that provide comfortable viewing for people who wear glasses.
Versatile: Whether you’re bird watching, hiking, camping, or attending a sporting event, the Vortex Optics Diamondback 10×42 Roof Prism Binocular is the perfect tool for all your outdoor activities.

Why Choose the Vortex Binoculars

These Vortex Diamondback binoculars are a bit pricier than the other binoculars on this list, but they are the naturalist’s preferred and most often used binoculars.

The customer service from this company is outstanding based on the naturalist’s personal experience and reviews on Amazon.

Best Binoculars for Whale Watching Pictures

Whether you’re a whale watcher, an avid birdwatcher, a hunter, or simply love the great outdoors, the Adasion High Definition binoculars are perfect for you.

With a powerful 12x magnification and a 42mm large objective lenses, these binoculars offer a super bright and large field of view that will bring you closer to the action.

You’ll be able to spot even the most elusive animals and birds with ease. The simple-to-use eyecups twist up and down to see with or without glasses, and the eye relief range is 13.6 mm to 19.6 mm.

The binoculars also have a universal phone adapter, allowing you to capture and share your adventures with friends and family. Simply attach your phone to the adapter and snap away!

These binoculars are designed with your comfort in mind. They are lightweight and easy to carry, making them perfect for all-day use. Plus, they are waterproof, so you can take them with you on all your outdoor adventures, no matter the weather.

Here are some of the benefits of the 12×42 HD Binoculars for Adults:

High power magnification for a super bright and wide field of view
Universal phone adapter for easy sharing of your adventures
Lightweight and easy to carry for all-day use
Waterproof design for use in any weather
Perfect for whale watching, hunting, outdoor sports, travel, and more

Why Choose the Adasion Binoculars

These are the exact binoculars that I used for whale watching in Alaska. They include a tripod, a phone adapter, and a carrying case. Even if you don’t use them with a camera, they also act as amazing stand-alone binoculars.

Connect your smartphone to the adapter and snap pictures and videos from the binocular view.

Although it comes with a 2-foot tripod, I wanted extra height for my setup above. I connected my 4-foot selfie stick tripod, and it attached easily without a problem.

Finding the right focus does take time, so I recommend playing with them before your whale-watching experience.

The pictures below were all taken from this setup. The image quality isn’t as spectacular as a high-quality camera, but they are pretty good for the price paid.

Sitka wildlife zodiac adventure — A minke whale in the waters of the Tongass National Forest.

Sitka wildlife quest to Fin Island Lodge — Sea Lions resting on a buoy in Sitka Sound.

The sea lion photo was taken as I bounced along in the back of a military-style zodiac boat on a Sitka excursion to Fin Island Lodge!

The photos can be zoomed in or kept with the black circle from the binocular lens.

Best binoculars for you

Believe it or not, according to our naturalist, the best binoculars may be the ones you already own.

When choosing the best binoculars for whale watching, use binoculars you can afford to lose.

If, for you, that is a pair you already own, then use those.

If you don’t own any already, maybe one on this list will be best for you.

My husband used a pair my grandpa used for years as hunting binoculars. And, guess what? They worked great!

whale watching in Monterey — Humpback whale in Monterey, CA

In Summary

When heading out on your whale watching experience, whether watching from the shore or a boat, take a pair of binoculars. You will be in awe of these wonderful and majestic creatures. Seeing them up close will be even more spectacular.

Choose a pair of binoculars that is affordable, especially if you are purchasing them for limited use. Many of them feature similar qualities, and you will enjoy seeing wildlife, whales, and scenery through them.

Choosing the Best Binoculars for Whale Watching