whales watching is a fantastic hobby just like bird watching. every year, millions of people around the world go for whale watching when the season comes. As we already know whales and dolphins are water habitats.
They live in the ocean with all the aquatic animals. In fact, whale watching is something everyone should strive to do at least once in their lifetime.
These creatures are very careful and don’t approach humans or boats. therefore, you need to find a suitable location such as stay on land or shore or even a boat to be able to watch them.
These best binoculars for whale watching from land will enable you to see all the details which your naked eye cannot see.
The Best Binoculars for Whale Watching from Shore
Our naked eyes have their natural limitations hence binoculars have help in extending our vision to see objects many yards away from us appear closer and bigger.
Whale watching can either be done from a boat or ship in the sea or on the shore or land. If you are using a boat, these marine binoculars can help you see more details in the comfort of your boat, but if you are watching them from land, these binoculars I am about to review will help you get the best whale watching binoculars from land or shore for a wonderful viewing experience.
One of the reasons why watching whales from land is suitable is because the whales won’t feel threatened when coming closer towards the shore.
These are protected creatures because of how they were hunted many years ago. You might also find watching whales from shore more suitable if you don’t like to get seasickness. Which most people get after taking a boat ride.
After doing many hours of research and taking user feedback into consideration, I have come up with the top-rated whale viewing binoculars from land or shore. Below each is reviewed individually.
1. Nikon Aculon 10-22×50 Zoom Binoculars
The Nikon ACULON 10-22×50 zoom binoculars feature adjustable 10-22-power multicoated lenses and 50mm objective diameter fabricated with Nikon’s exclusive lead and arsenic-free Eco-Glass.
What makes them stand out from other binoculars is that they have an adjustable zoom setting with a magnification ranging from 10 to 22 times. They can also be used for wildlife viewing, stargazing, mountain viewing, etc. Plus, because of how big their lens size is, they can be used in the evenings even under low light conditions.
This pair of binoculars is made of BaK4 Porro prism systems enabling it to deliver high-quality images anytime, from dawn to dust.
The housing used for this binoculars is non-slip grip rubber type which makes them easy to hold with your hands so that they can’t easily fall off. There are some of the best whale watching binoculars.
Included in this binoculars package are; storage pouch, neck strap, tripod adaptor, and end covers.
Pros
- Super-versatile: designed for multi-purpose use
- Lightweight and durable
- Adjustable magnification and zoom
- Delivers clear images
Cons
- Not water or fog proof
- changing magnification means you also have to change focus
2. Bushnell H2O Waterproof Small 8 X 42-mm Binoculars
Looking for small compact binoculars instead?. The Bushnell H20 waterproof 8 X 42mm would be a great travel choice for going whale watching with. They are small and lightweight enabling you to be able to use them for a long time without hands strains.
They are made to be 100% waterproof and are O-ring sealed and nitrogen purged for reliable, fog-free performance. These models can withstand complete immersion in water and stay dry inside.
This binocular has a rubber coating to help reduce wear and tear making them more comfortable to hold with hands without shock.
They also feature BaK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics which produce crisp clear images with improved light transmission. If you looking for good binoculars for whale watching, then you should consider these as well.
Pros
- Fully weatherproof
- Longer eye relief
- Very affordable
- Durable construction
Cons
- No major complaint
3. Wingspan Optics WideViews HD 8X42 Professional Binoculars
Wingspan Optics have some of the best binoculars for outdoor enthusiasts. Even though the name might suggest that they are only meant for birders, but that is not necessarily the case as they can be used for other outdoor activities as well.
They can be used by both newbies and professionals. With their extra-wide field of view at 430ft @1000yards, this pair makes a perfect choice for watching whales as you can capture a wide area of space as these beautiful creatures show themselves out of the water.
They also have sharp optical quality with their lenses fully multi-coated and prisms phase-corrected, you get sharp, clear and bright images from both far and near.
Since whale watching is somehow done close to water, it is important to also have your binoculars fully weatherproof. Thanks to Wingspan Optics, they have made these both waterproof and fog proof by nitrogen purging and completely sealing the body to prevent any moisture build ups that might cause them to fog.
Pros
- Fully weatherproof
- Extra-wide field of view
- Generous eye relief for both eyeglass wearers and non-glass wearers
- Lifetime warranty
- Easy to use and focus
Cons
- A bit heavy
4. Vanguard Endeavor ED IV 10X42 Binoculars
This Vanguard open-bridge design makes the Vanguard Endeavor ED binoculars very easy to hold with your hands and use. These high-performance binoculars deliver incredible value at an affordable price.
Featuring an extra-low dispersion glass with multi guard coatings that provide multiple layers of anti-reflective compounds resulting in optimal light transmission that allows for sharp and bright images even in low light conditions.
Just like many binoculars these days, the Vanguard Endeavor ED binoculars are nitrogen charged and O-ring sealed as well to make them waterproof and fog proof for use in challenging weather conditions.
With a Field of view: 340 ft/1000 yards, you can enjoy yourself with them. They also have very good eye relief at 19mm. Which is suitable for both glass and non-glass wearers.
Pros
- Waterproof and fog proof
- generous eye relief
- wide field of view
- Great optical performance
Cons
- No major complaints
5. Aurosports folding 10 X 25 Binoculars
The Aurosports folding binoculars are portable enough to be carried with you everywhere you go. Whether for bird watching, hiking, sightseeing, traveling, concerts, etc. They are also great to take with you to the beach.
They can be used for both day and low light level night viewing. Viewing whales from the shore with these binoculars will bring you 10X’s closer to the whales from the land. Designed with a large field of view, they are able to bring into full focus the views of the whales while you are on the land.
These binoculars can be held in one hand easily while fitting them in a pocket. The body construction of this pair is durable and the anti-slip grip makes them firm to hold.
Included in the package of this binoculars are; portable bag, anti-slip strap, cleaning cloth and dust cover.
Pros
- Compact and affordable
- Waterproof
- Well made and easy to use
Cons
- Instructions manual not clear
6. Canon 15 X 50 Image Stabilized All Weather Binoculars
This Canon model uses a type of technology called image stabilization(IS) technology to help stabilize the image produced by high powered binoculars and these types of binoculars are called image-stabilized binoculars. As you may already know, binoculars with magnification higher than 10, magnify your handshakes or movements as well, therefore, the image can look unsteady.
This technology is used to help produce clear and steady views at high magnification power. This is ideal for long-range viewing and you don’t have to worry about unclear images. The image stabilizer autocorrects any unsteadiness that might come up as a result of movements.
Housed in a rugged, water-resistant, and slip-free rubber body, these binoculars can be used in rain or shine, whether in a football stadium or on the high seas.
You can hold this pair in your hands and move around with it and still see clear bright images and it comes with a tripod which you can easily mount the binoculars on and watch the whales from far.
Pros
- Great quality and performance
- Good for long-range or distance viewing
- Weatherproof
Cons
- Heavier to hold for a long time
- Quite pricey
7. Nikon Action 10 X 50 Extreme All-Terrain Binoculars
This is another high-end pair of binoculars. The Nikon Action 10×50 EX Extreme All-Terrain Binoculars features Multicoated Lenses and BaK4 High Index Prisms which deliver bright high-resolution images.
Using them on land to view whales in the sea will be perfect as they will deliver bright views of these sea animals. they are built while taking into consideration harsh weather conditions like rain or fog. So they are Nitrogen filled and O-ring sealed which makes them weatherproof.
To ensure that they don’t slip off your hands or get damaged, these binoculars are constructed with a protective rubber-armored coating to ensure they don’t fall.
Pros
- Fully weatherproof
- Tripod adaptable
- Long eye relief for eyeglass wearers
- Quality construction
Cons
- Quite heavy for all-day use with hands
Best Small Binoculars for Whale Watching
If you are looking for the best small binoculars for whale watching then you might want to consider these marine binoculars.
8. Steiner Marine 7 X 50 Commander Series Binoculars
This is one of the best binoculars for whale watching and marine activities. It is premium marine binoculars from Steiner. As we all know, Steiner is specialized in producing premium binoculars.
If you have the money to invest in marine binoculars that are compact yet very powerful, then you should consider these Steiner marine commander binoculars.
These binoculars are for anyone who makes a living on the water, whether you are ship captain, boat operator, marine patrol and law enforcement, etc.
They are ideal binoculars for those who live aboard or spend weeks on the water – yacht owners, blue water sailors, and racers – who need the best in marine optics.
These binoculars provide you with the clearest image you can get, give you crystal clear images and can survive the worst weather conditions you can face.
Their compass is HD stabilized and housing is built with Makrolon housing which is lightweight and rugged polycarbonate chassis with an NBR long-life rubber armoring that can withstand 11 Gs impact.
The only downside about these binoculars is the price. As you know, Steiner only makes premium binoculars and they come with premium prices.
Nonetheless, these are well worth the price. No doubt about that.
9. Hooway Waterproof Fog Proof Military Marine Binoculars
These are Hooway 7×50 marine Binoculars are built to meet the military standard. They are also some of the best binoculars for dolphin watching among whale watchers.
They can be performed in all weather conditions, even under extreme rainstorms or high humidity conditions. They are suitable for navigation, sailing, marine, fishing, boating and even offshore activities like hunting, birding, etc.
They Hooway military binoculars have built-in rangefinder and orientation compass. With their wide field of view at 396ft/1000yd and an eye relief of 23 mm, you can watch the fast-moving targets like whales, dolphins and even fly fishes.
These Hooway marine binoculars have fully multi-coated optics that are O-ring sealed and the internal is filled with nitrogen gas to make them both waterproof and fog proof.
With their non-slip and ergonomic rubber design, you can use them by holding them in your hands or mount them on a tripod if you like.
8×42 or 10×42 Binoculars for Whale Watching?
If you are wondering whether you choose 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars for whale watching, you will need to know whether you are going to be watching the whales from shore or in a boat.
For brightness and stability, then you will need a whale watching binoculars of lower power that are also waterproof and fog proof. Stability, in the sense, that, you need binoculars that while not be sensitive to movements and lower power binoculars of 8×42 or below are best.
These are good binoculars for whale watching on the boat.
However, if you need whale watching binoculars from shore or land. Then you need binoculars with higher power t be able to see more details from the land and that is why you can choose some of the best beach binoculars for yourself that have a power of 8×42 or above.
You can mount them on a tripod, to achieve more stability. But if you need a pair that you can move around with on the land with clear viewing. Then you can choose the 8×42 or 10×42. This will depend on how stable your hands are.
What Power Binoculars Needed for Whale Watching?
Maybe you are asking yourself what power binoculars are needed for whale watching whether you should choose 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars for whale watching.
Well, the power of binoculars you would choose for whale watching will depend on whether you are watching the whales on board a boat or on land.
If you are watching whales on a boat, then you need binoculars with power 7x or 8x. With this magnification power, you can watch the whales in the moving boat and see clear and bright images even with your hands shaking.
However, if you are what from land, then you need binoculars with 8x or higher power binoculars. This will allow you to see more details of the whales from a far distance. The most common best binoculars for whale watching are the 8×42 or 10×42 binoculars.
Final Thoughts
IF you are looking for something very lightweight, then the number two will be great but there will be a trade-off between compactness and high power which allows you to stand on land and see far into the sea even if the whales are not close by.
So, these are the Best Binoculars for Whale Watching from Land. Anyone that you settle for will do a great job depending on your needs, wants and budget. whales watching at the beach can be extremely exciting and it is even more exciting when you have the right pair of binoculars for whales watching with you. The next time you go whales viewing or sightseeing, don’t forget to grab a pair of binoculars along.
Happy Whales Watching!
Very good products are mentioned in this blog. A variety of binoculars.
Nice post!! It’s useful and helpful article for me. Thanks for sharing.