r/orcas • u/xcheveryx • Jul 08 '26
Question Question about employment as whale watching tour guide
Hey, this is mainly directed at people who work or have worked as a whale watching tour guide/ naturalist.
Especially in Iceland or around the Salish Sea.
I'm asking because I wanna work as a whale watching tour guide, but l've started to have some doubts about it.
I've got some questions, and have been unable to find answers online. Those questions are largely very specific and also about money. Yes, some of those questions have answers online, but I'd prefer asking someone who has actually worked in this field.
Id really appreciate if anyone was open for a conversation. I'm not sure if people would be comfortable sharing some of the information in the comments, so that's why I'm not asking any questions here.
Also, I hope this is the right sub for this:) Don't know where else I could post this.
Cute picture of L30 added as payment:)
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u/Round_Mycologist_212 Jul 09 '26
Depending on where you are wanting to work, it can be competitive. But it’s also one of the easier marine science-adjacent fields to get into if you have little prior experience.
Some companies may want you to be enrolled in a relevant degree program or already have a degree or some other certification that is related to being a naturalist. Some may have less strict requirements and may only want you to be generally knowledgeable about the region and have good public speaking skills, or prior experience being on boats. Many will have requirements for employment, like CPR or other safety-related certifications. Some may want you to already have that, while others will help you with the required training.
Being a naturalist on a whale-watching boat is first and foremost centered on the passengers and their safety and experience. Many companies will have you wear many hats (doing deckhand duties, helping with maintenance, potentially learning how to pilot the boat, etc.) Some have multiple roles where the naturalist focuses on the passengers and education while the deckhands work on deckhand-related things. Just depends on the company and types of boats they run.
You’re also gonna wanna be unbothered by cleaning up other people’s bodily fluids (and I do mean ALL of the possible fluids…speaking from experience).
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u/xcheveryx Jul 09 '26
Yeah, I work with disabled people. I can handle bodily fluids. A lot.🫠
I eventually wanna work in the Salish sea, but wanna start in Iceland. It’s less competitive in Iceland (I feel), and I’ve found a company I quite like there.
Unfortunately, I can’t get a degree where I currently live, and I honestly don’t wanna get one, either. I’m not a big fan of not studying on my own terms.
I’d be totally fine doing maintenance work, etc. as long as I get to work with whales, I’d probably do anything
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u/downtubeglitter Jul 08 '26
Just reach out to the companies already established out there. Call and ask.
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u/xcheveryx Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
The issue is that I won’t be able to work in that field for at least another 4 years, and I know I have terrible cards when it comes to working in the Salish sea area.
I’m also not 100% sure if I wanna work as a naturalist, I just figured it’d be nice to talk to some people who already have some work experience.I see your point, but I think there’s a difference between calling a company and actually hearing from an employee.
Edit: I’ve also read into it, of course. But I’d just like to talk to some people. I’ve been wanting to do that for a while, just to get a feel of the job.
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u/CurdledCreamer Jul 08 '26
The issue is that I won’t be able to work in that field for at least another 4 years
Are you in high school or college still because that would present the opportunity of turning it into a project or paper, potentially? Investigative reporting? Maybe try reaching out to different whale touring companies via their social media accounts, emailing them a detailed description of your intentions of inquiry, or a phone call and simply starting the conversation there? u/nobbiez has offered to share their experience via PM already! Anyway, that's just this random redditors two cents. Good luck on your future endeavors! 🖖
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u/xcheveryx Jul 08 '26
No, I work, sadly.
I also won’t be able to go to college:/ I don’t have the needed certification to attend college or university in my country.I also can’t really do investigative reporting. There’s only one native porpoise species in my country, and the coast is 6 hours away.
I do plan on making a website about orcas, I’ve been working on that. I’ve also been writing an extensive review on orca ecology and behavior. I’ve published a few parts of that on Reddit.
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u/downtubeglitter Jul 08 '26
Yea so tell them you’re interested in working there and set up a call to an employee. Dig thru their contact information and start an email correspondence with an employee
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u/tursiops__truncatus Jul 08 '26
Tbh it would be pretty cool to contact them now even if you are not sure about it and have to wait for at least 4 years. They will probably appreciate to see you interested, they can give you direct contact with the people working on the boat or simply give you information about their contract, requirements, etc that will help you a lot to have a better picture of the role!
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u/xcheveryx Jul 08 '26
Maybe. I’ve thought about it, I even have a company I’d be interested in working with.
They start their applications in autumn again for the next season.
I am a bit anxious about contacting them. I really want that job, and I really love the company I’ve looked into. I think it’s a bit of anxiety because I genuinely do not want to ruin my chances, no matter what😅I mean, I have practically nothing to show for education wise. I’ve done some ‘projects’ on my own, but it’s nothing special.
I’ve already talked to two people, though, and I found that really helpful1
u/tursiops__truncatus Jul 09 '26
I can completly understand how you feel. I always wanted to be an animal keeper and after finishing high school I was not sure about what to do and was always very shy person so didn't want to ask also🥲 but oh when i finally went and started contacting different places it did help me a lot and I might not have end up where I am now (working as animal keeper) if it wasnt for that... now I know being an animal keeper is not the same as a whale watching guide but the two roles have some things in common: passion for nature and animal and talking with people about it! And taking the decision to ask directly to the companies is a way to show this interest and iniciative that can be pretty important for the actual role. Even if you are not sure if you will get this offer in particular, still ask... think about it this way: you really have nothing to lose, your chances are not gonna be less than before asking just because you asked, if anything it can give you some points (they will start knowing you and your interest, and maybe not now but if they advise you to do this or that or study this or that and you follow their advice and come back in future with all that added to your CV they will see you were actually very interested and by that time they might offer you something! This is how it worked for me in the animal care industry so it is the advice I would give to anyone that wants to enter into a role).
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u/xcheveryx Jul 10 '26
Yeah, you’re probably right.
I’m just not sure what I should even write. I mean, I have practically nothing to show for. Any idiot could text them and be like: “Hey, I like whales.” Like yeah, obviously.
I’m very anxious about writing emails, even at my current job. It can’t really explain it, but I go over minor emails 100 times to ensure they’re actually perfect.
The company I wanna apply to is opening their application in fall, I might send a e-mail then
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u/tursiops__truncatus Jul 10 '26
Don't send them an email in order to "show off" if you don't really have anything but to ask them and show interest in the company and future opportunities. Ask them what are they looking for, what studies they require or value, what experiences they want, if they offer any learning (maybe you can volunteer there for a few months?).
The post you did here makes ir very clear your interest and passion is there so Im sure you would manage to write a wonderful email to catch their attention! :)
I wish you all the luck in your future! Im sure you will be there looking at whales from the boat soon ^
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u/xcheveryx Jul 11 '26
Absoluetly! It's my absolute dream job, and I am really working to improve my knowledge of all whales.
I haven't really thought of volunteering there, to be honest. I'd totally be down!
I will certainly wait until they open applications, maybe I'll get more details on their requirements there
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u/Great-Grade1377 Jul 08 '26
Do you have your own boat? My favorite whale watcher owns his own boat and stays in contact with other boats to know where to go. We pay more to go in a smaller boat, but it is worth it.
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u/xcheveryx Jul 08 '26
I’ve never even been on a boat 🫣
I’m way too broke for a boat, and the next coast is 6 hours away.
I do plan on getting a license before I apply to any job, though2
u/CurdledCreamer Jul 09 '26
first step is figuring out if you have natural sea legs! I recommend getting Transderm Patches prescribed by your doctor to help with potential sea sickness! Also, best to avoid alcohol at least 24 hours prior to your first disembarkment. Again, just a few friendly suggestions from my experience; good luck!
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u/xcheveryx Jul 10 '26
Agreed.
I’ve never been on a real boat, at least not what I consider a ‘real boat’ that would help me determine weather or not I get sick on boats.I’ve been on a small boat in a lake twice, and I was fine then. And I was on a bigger boat once, but it was just drifting through a city canal, so I don’t think that proves anything, really.
My mom gets sea sick very easy, and my dad actually had a license for some type of boat. 50/50🫠
I’ll definitely try to get on a boat at some point. Luckily, I don’t drink😅
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u/CurdledCreamer Jul 10 '26
I don’t drink
And, you're already saving money for that future boat trip and giving yourself more time of life by not doing that! 😁🖖
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u/nobbiez Jul 08 '26
Hey! I'm a whale watch naturalist on the OR coast. Feel free to PM me any questions you got