There are plenty of fantastic destinations around the world where travelers can experience whales in their natural habitat but the list gets shorter when limited to the U.S. Nonetheless, wildlife seekers have options when it comes to whale watching domestically without the need of a passport.

Visitors to Juneau can choose from a variety of highly acclaimed whale watching tours offering the opportunity to see humpback whales and other fascinating species up close in the wild.

Monterey Bay is one of the few destinations in the U.S. where wildlife enthusiasts can see whales year-round. Head to the coastline and keep your eyes peeled for blue, gray and humpback whales.

The public whale watching lookout point at San Diego's Cabrillo National Monument was the world's first and is a phenomenal spot to watch migrating gray whales during the winter months beginning in December.

The whale watching in scenicBar Harbor is at its best during the warmer spring and summer months when visitors will have a shot to witness minke, fin and North Atlantic right whales emerge from the surrounding waters.

The winter months signal peak whale watching season in Maui as visitors flock to the island in hopes of seeing the majestic humpback whale in person.

Just over a two-hour drive southwest of Portland, Depoe Bay is home to the world's smallest navigable harbor and boasts several excellent vantage points for spotting gray whales in the Pacific Ocean.

Elsewhere in New England, Cape Cod provides travelers exceptional whale watching opportunities from spring into fall. The peninsula's proximity to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary makes it a great starting point to see fin, minke and even humpbacks.

If it's killer whales you're after, head to Washington's San Juan Islands-located between Seattle and Vancouver-from April to October to catch orca in their natural habitat. You may also spot minke, humpback and gray whales.

Cape May is home to a variety of whale watching excursions that make the experience here easy, fun and safe all year long. There's no peak time to visit as you'll always have a chance to see humpback and fin whales swimming offshore.

Located between Los Angeles and San Diego, Newport Beach is a beloved destination for whale watching as daily guided tours are offered year-round. Blue whales are prominent during the summer and fall while gray whales take center stage come winter and spring.

Peak whale watching season near Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve goes by pretty quickly, running during the warmer months from June to August. At this time of year, visitors will find humpbacks, minkes, blue and killer whales.

North of Cape Cod, Cape Ann's Gloucester is another prime destination for spotting whales in the wild as it's located just between the aforementioned Stellwagen Bank and Jeffery's Ledge, two major feeding areas. Better yet, it's just an hour drive northeast of Boston.

The winter and early part of spring is the best time to look for right whales near Jacksonville. Plan your trip for sometime between December and March and you're bound to discover these incredible sea creatures, which can grow up to 50 feet in length.

Virginia Beach may be most popular among tourists during the summer beach season. Nonetheless, the months between December and March offer the chance to see migrating humpback whales breach from the Atlantic Ocean.

Long Island's variety is what makes it one of the best places in the U.S. for whale watching. Visitors to this region will have an excellent shot to see humpback, minke, fin, blue, right, sei and even sperm whales during the mid- to late-summer months.

Santa Barbara is yet another stellar spot in California for whale watching, especially during the months of May through September when gray, blue and fin whales make frequent appearances along the Pacific Coast.

Winter visitors to Oahu's western shore might be lucky enough to spot migrating humpback whales. This is also a popular destination for snorkelers as it offers opportunities to swim alongside dolphins, sea turtles and tropical fish.

Kenai Fjords National Park and Seward are renowned for their whale watching as tens of thousands of gray whales migrate up the Pacific Coast to feeding grounds in the Bering and Chukchi Seas.

Visitor's to Winchester Bay will want to check out Wayfinder's Point, where they can watch migrating gray whales in the Pacific Ocean from November to May. Head out early in the morning for the best odds of spotting one.

Hawaii's Big Island is a coveted destination for whale watching season, which runs from November to May. Visitors can see humpback whales from the shore, by boat and even hear them from underwater.