# Whale Locator — Real Time Whale Sightings Map

> Live whale and marine mammal sightings network for the Salish Sea. (iPhone/iPad app by MELONPING TECHNOLOGIES CORP.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whale-locator/id6761505286 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [MELONPING TECHNOLOGIES CORP](https://appshunter.io/developer/1890035860)
- Category: Travel, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 3.80/5 from 4 App Store ratings · 23 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 17+
- Requires: iOS 16.0 · 29 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-04-20
- Data updated: 2026-09-08
- Monetization: subscription
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whale-locator/id6761505286/reviews.md

## What is Whale Locator?

Whale Locator is a live AIS and community powered sightings network for whales and marine mammals across the Salish Sea (Vancouver, Seattle, Victoria, Nanaimo, Campbell River, all of Vancouver Island, Howe Sound, Sunshine Coast, San Juan Islands, Bellingham, Tacoma, Everett, and White Rock). 
Report sightings in real time, track the whale watch fleet via AIS, and explore an interactive map built for land-based watchers, boaters, naturalists, and researchers.

FEATURES:
- Push Notifications: Get whale notifications in real-time, including species, location, direction of travel, and behaviour.
- Real-Time Sighting Reports: Log orca, humpback, grey whale, porpoise, seal, sea lion, and help build a shared picture of whale activity that benefits researchers, conservation groups, and land-based whale watching for the general public.
- Live AIS Vessel Tracking: See whale watch boats in real time, with automated detection when vessels are engaged in whale watching activities.
- Interactive Map: Street, satellite, and nautical chart layers. Vessel Restricted Zones, voluntary no-go areas, and DFO regulations overlaid.
- Sightings Log: Scroll through recent reports from the community with timestamps and species details.
- Works With Conservation: Whale Locator provides data to NGOs, First Nations governments, as well as federal, provincial, state and parks enforcement agencies to support marine mammal protection.

Whale Locator is free to download, offers a 3-day free trial period, and a subscription is required thereafter to maintain access to real-time sightings, fleet tracking, and push notifications:
- Monthly: $4.99/month
- Annual: $49.99/year (save 17%)

Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription in your device's Account Settings.

Terms of Use: https://whalelocator.com/terms
Privacy Policy: https://whalelocator.com/privacy

## Key features

- Real-time whale sighting reports
- Live AIS vessel tracking
- Interactive map with marine regulations
- Push notifications for whale activity
- Sightings log with timestamps
- Data sharing for conservation

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**Subscriptions**

| Subscription | Price | Period |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Whale Locator Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Whale Locator Premium (Annual) | $49.99 | per year |


## Chart rankings

- #104 in Top Grossing · Travel (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (10 of 23)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/whale-locator/id6761505286/reviews.md

### 5/5 — So far, great app

*2026-08-11*

Just started using it, so far the best app I’ve used yet, unfortunately I haven’t seen any whales yet, but by referencing with the app I see that they just haven’t been around when I’m out.  
I’ll up date again as I get more familiar with all the app does.

### 5/5 — Excellent!

*2026-08-05*

App is a wonderful tool for locating whales and other sea critters.

### 2/5 — Heavily relies on free data

*2026-08-02*

Re-posting my review as a current, paying subscriber testing this app firsthand. My old review somehow disappeared. 

It is tough to justify the monthly subscription fee when the app relies so heavily on data that is available for free elsewhere. Sighting reports are pulled directly from local, volunteer Facebook groups (e.g., Howe Sound and Sea to Sky wildlife sightings, Sunshine Coast fb group) without offering anything original.

Charging a subscription for data that local community members shared for free is a major red flag - and seeing personal sightings re-posted here without permission to monetize them shouldn't be allowed.

Outside of community posts, the app heavily relies on live AIS tracking of commercial whale-watching boats. It works during peak daytime hours when the tour boats are out, but the second the boats head in for the night, updates are basically nonexistent. I also doubt how useful this app will be once the peak whale-watching season ends and commercial boats aren't on the water anymore.

### 2/5 — Great idea poor UI

*2026-07-24*

What an amazing idea. The data is great but it looks crowded and confusing. Short free trial doesn’t help get you used to it.

### 3/5 — Notification limitations

*2026-07-14*

Cool concept and nice use of several data sources, but the ability to filter notifications based n location is very limited, especially in the Seattle/Vashon area. If it were possible to draw custom regions/bounds on the map within which push notifications would be triggered, I would sign back up for a subscription in a heartbeat.

**Developer response:** Thank you for your thoughtful suggestion! Your real feedback helps us significantly in improving the app. The timing is perfect; we are currently working on enhancements to our notification system. These improvements may also include the ability to create custom alert areas on the map. 

In the meantime, while we continue testing this new feature, we have added the Seattle and Puget Sound area, including Vashon, to our list of notification zones. If you have any additional suggestions to improve Whale Locator, please feel free to email us at contact@whalelocator.com.

We would love to have you back when everything is ready. Happy Sightings!

### 1/5 — Don’t share here

*2026-07-07*

You pay to give tourist vessels your tips! (Very mysterious ownership, btw.) The data is available for free on AIS apps and land based FB groups. How exactly does helping tour vessels chase whales all day help the whales?

**Developer response:** Hi Brenda.
We built whale locator so that all users could access whale reports, not just tour operators. Our goal is for people on shore to see more whales, and for recreational boaters to know where the whales are so they can make informed decisions on the water, rather than blindly motoring over active wildlife.
The whale watching fleet already has access to the local social media sighting groups, plus a private app. What Whale Locator adds is public oversight: it shows where those vessels are, so anyone from shore can see which boats are where, and any rule breakers can be easily reported if needed.
We have marine mammal viewing regulations built into the app so users can view the rules at any time, plus a link to report infractions.
Public whale reports that all users can see are what hold boat operators accountable, and that is what protects the whales.

### 5/5 — Best App for Whale Spotting

*2026-07-04*

Gives you great real time insights to watch whales from shore.

**Developer response:** Thank you so much. Helping people watch whales from shore is the whole idea behind Whale Locator. Happy Sightings!

### 5/5 — My favorite app ever

*2026-07-03*

Can’t express how much I love this app. This is the only app that I allow notifications. So easy to use, reliable updates. I have seen so many orcas from land with this app. Direct links to underwater microphone stations and webcams. It so cool.

**Developer response:** Thank you, this is wonderful to read. Being the only app you allow notifications from is about the highest compliment an app can get, and we do not take it lightly. Seeing orcas from land is exactly what the platform was built for, and we are glad the hydrophone and webcam links are adding to the experience. Happy Sightings!

### 5/5 — Amazing experiences

*2026-07-03*

I’ve been using this app for a couple of months now and have seen whales 5 times from shore because Whale Locator gives me push notifications in real time when the whales are in my area. To put this in perspective, in the last 10 years prior to having this app, I’ve only seen whales once from shore. ONCE! I also love the community feel of Whale Locator with other users reporting sightings and pictures, and how easy it is to use. Just SO easy. This app is a gem!

**Developer response:** Reviews like this are why we build. Ten years for one shore sighting, then five in two months with real time alerts, we could not ask for a better summary of what Whale Locator is for. Thank you for reporting your own sightings too. Every report helps keep the whales safer and the whole community enjoying more of them. Happy Sightings!

### 5/5 — Amazing app!

*2026-07-03*

I love this app, I check it almost everyday to see if there are whales around my city! And I've reported a couple of sightings as well.

**Developer response:** This makes our day, thank you. The fact that you are both watching and reporting is the whole idea, every sighting you add helps the next person catch one too. Glad to have you in the community. Happy Sightings!

## Frequently asked questions about Whale Locator

### What marine mammals can I report with Whale Locator?

Whale Locator allows users to log sightings of orca, humpback, grey whale, porpoise, seal, and sea lion. This community-driven data helps build a comprehensive picture of marine mammal activity in the Salish Sea.

### How does Whale Locator help conservation efforts?

Whale Locator provides valuable data to NGOs, First Nations governments, and federal, provincial, state, and parks enforcement agencies. This information directly supports marine mammal protection initiatives.

### What is the cost of Whale Locator?

Whale Locator is free to download and offers a 3-day free trial. After the trial, a subscription is required, with options for $4.99/month or $49.99/year.

### How do I cancel my Whale Locator subscription?

You can manage and cancel your subscription within your device's Account Settings. Ensure cancellation occurs at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period to avoid renewal.

### What devices does Whale Locator support?

Whale Locator is available for iPhone and iPad devices. It is designed to be accessible on Apple's mobile and tablet platforms.

### When was Whale Locator last updated?

The latest version of Whale Locator, 1.2, was last updated on May 13, 2026. The app was initially released on April 20, 2026.

### What is the age rating for Whale Locator?

Whale Locator has an age rating of 12+. This indicates it is suitable for users aged 12 and older.

### Does Whale Locator have ads?

Whale Locator does not contain advertisements. The app's functionality is supported through its subscription model.

## Version history (last 4 releases)

### 1.3 — 2026-08-06

Performance improvements
Better experience in areas with low data service
Security upgrades

### 1.2 — 2026-05-13

Improvements to the sign-in experience and notification reliability.

* Resolved an issue that prevented some users from receiving notifications after subscribing.
* Performance and general stability upgrades to better handle increased traffic.

### 1.1 — 2026-04-24

Initial release of Whale Locator on iOS.

Live community whale and marine mammal sightings, real-time whale watch fleet tracking via AIS, and interactive mapping for the Salish Sea.

### 1.0 — 2026-04-20

No release notes.

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-08.*