Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is famous for its sunny beaches and lively people. But now some tourists come to the area for another reason. They search for humpback whales.

Niteroi is Rio’s sister city across the Guanabara Bay. Last week, its tourism agency started a whale-watching tour. It helps tourists spot the mammoth mammals.

Between June and November, humpback whales migrate to Brazilian waters to mate. Around 25,000 make the long journey. They leave feeding areas in Antarctica. Most gather at coral reefs off the east coast of Brazil.

Niteroi and a conservation group worked together to create the whale-watching program.  The group is called Amigos da Jubarte. That means “Friends of the Humpback Whale.” People from the group do scientific research during the tours.

“Tourism can be a tool for the protection of species,” André Bento says. He’s president of Niteroi’s tourism agency. “I don’t think anyone who gets on this boat comes off the same way, right?”

Romina Gomes agrees. The doctor from Rio spotted five whales and four dolphins. She was awestruck.

 “I couldn’t have predicted such wonder, such beauty,” she says. “The grace of a 40-ton animal that moves and dances with such lightness.”

Researchers usually spot about five whales per cruise. They also see different species of dolphins, turtles, and seabirds.

Each trip lasts about six hours. It costs 550 Brazilian reais (about $100) on weekdays. The price is a little higher on weekends.

Government rules require vessels to stay at least 328 feet from the whales. They can be near the whales for a maximum of 30 minutes. If a calf is there, they may stay only 15 minutes. The rules are meant to keep both animals and humans safe.

You divided the sea by your might; you broke the heads of the sea monsters on the waters. — Psalm 74:13