Humpback whales migrate through the Pearl Islands channel between July and October, and Contadora is one of the most convenient places in Panama to see them. The whales come from their Antarctic feeding grounds to breed and give birth in the warm, sheltered waters of the Gulf of Panama, and sightings from the island's rocky southern headlands are common during the peak months of August and September.
Boat tours depart from Contadora itself and from Panama City. A dedicated whale-watching trip on a small boat gets you close enough to hear the blows. If you are lucky you will see breaching — humpbacks are among the most acrobatic of the large whales. Tours also have a reasonable chance of spotting dolphins, manta rays, and sea turtles in the same waters.