About This Project
The Whale Migration Guide combines scientific observation data with curated location information to help whale enthusiasts discover the best places and times to observe these magnificent creatures.
📊 Data Sources
Whale Observation Data
The heatmaps and species distribution visualizations are powered by occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), one of the world's largest open-access biodiversity databases.
GBIF - Global Biodiversity Information Facility
gbif.org — Open-access database containing millions of species occurrence records contributed by researchers, citizen scientists, and institutions worldwide.
Data Processing Pipeline
Raw GBIF occurrence records are filtered for quality (coordinate precision, date accuracy), deduplicated, and processed into monthly aggregations. The data is then converted to Mapbox vector tilesets for efficient web visualization.
Species Coverage
Currently, the following species have heatmap data available:
- Blue Whale (Balaenoptera musculus) — 2006-2025 occurrence data
- Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) — 2017-2025 occurrence data
- Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) — 2006-2025 occurrence data
Additional species (Orca, Gray Whale, Fin Whale, etc.) have informational pages but await sufficient quality observation data for mapping.
Whale Watching Location Data
The 38 whale watching destinations were curated from multiple sources including tourism boards, whale watching operator associations, scientific literature on cetacean distribution, and verified traveler reports. Location data includes:
- Geographic coordinates and regional classification
- Species present and their seasonal availability
- Industry size (number of operators and vessels)
- Annual visitor estimates from tourism statistics
- Accessibility ratings based on transportation infrastructure
⭐ Scoring Methodology
Each whale watching location is rated on two primary metrics, both scored on a scale of 0-100. These scores are designed to help visitors choose destinations that match their priorities.
Experience Score
Measures the quality and memorability of whale encounters, including behavior diversity, proximity to whales, and overall encounter satisfaction.
Sighting Rate
Represents the probability of seeing whales during optimal season visits, based on operator success rates and environmental conditions.
Experience Score Components
The Experience Score (labeled "Entertainment" in the data) is a composite metric considering:
- Behavior Diversity (25%) — Variety of observable behaviors (breaching, feeding, singing, social interaction)
- Proximity Quality (25%) — Typical distance to whales; some locations allow closer approaches
- Species Diversity (20%) — Number of different whale species regularly observed
- Unique Features (15%) — Special phenomena like bubble-net feeding, friendly whale interactions, or beach hunting
- Supporting Wildlife (15%) — Presence of other marine life (dolphins, seals, seabirds) enhancing the experience
Sighting Rate Components
The Sighting Rate (labeled "Visibility" in the data) factors in:
- Success Rate (40%) — Reported whale sighting success from operators (many guarantee 90%+ during peak season)
- Season Length (20%) — Longer reliable seasons indicate more stable populations
- Weather Reliability (20%) — Frequency of weather-related trip cancellations
- Water Clarity (10%) — Visibility conditions affecting underwater viewing where applicable
- Whale Density (10%) — Typical number of whales encountered per trip
Score Interpretation Guide
90-100: World-class destination, exceptional experiences
80-89: Excellent destination, highly recommended
70-79: Very good destination, reliable experiences
60-69: Good destination, solid choice for whale watching
Below 60: Emerging or seasonal destination with variable results
📅 Monthly Activity Data
Each location includes monthly whale density ratings (0-5 scale) and species-specific presence/absence data for all 12 months.
Monthly Density Scale
- 0: Off-season — Whales absent or extremely rare
- 1: Low activity — Some whales present, unpredictable sightings
- 2: Moderate activity — Regular sightings possible
- 3: Good activity — Reliable sightings, recommended visiting period
- 4: High activity — Peak season, excellent sighting rates
- 5: Peak activity — Best possible time, exceptional concentrations
Best Months Designation
The "Best Months" for each location are determined by combining peak whale density periods with favorable weather conditions and operator availability. These represent the optimal planning window for visitors.
🗺️ Map Technology
The interactive maps are built using Mapbox GL JS, a powerful JavaScript library for rendering vector maps with WebGL. This enables smooth animations, dynamic styling, and efficient handling of large datasets.
Heatmap Visualization
The density heatmaps represent aggregated whale observation points. Brighter/warmer colors indicate higher concentrations of recorded sightings. The monthly animation interpolates between months to show migration patterns over the year.
Important Note on Heatmaps
Heatmap density reflects observation effort as much as actual whale presence. Areas with more whale watching activity, research stations, or shipping traffic will have more recorded sightings. Remote areas may have fewer records despite healthy whale populations.
Technology Stack
⚠️ Data Limitations & Caveats
- Observation Bias: GBIF data is contributed by researchers, citizen scientists, and institutions. Coverage is uneven globally, with better data in well-studied regions.
- Temporal Gaps: Historical data quality varies. Recent years (2015-present) generally have better coverage than earlier periods.
- Species Identification: Some records may have identification uncertainties, particularly for species that are difficult to distinguish at sea.
- Location Ratings: Scores are based on available information and may not reflect recent changes in whale populations or tourism infrastructure.
- Seasonal Variation: Whale presence can vary significantly year-to-year based on oceanographic conditions, prey availability, and climate patterns.
This guide is intended for educational and trip-planning purposes. For the most current information, always consult local whale watching operators and tourism authorities.