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There is critical academic debate about the sustainability of whale watching and how to ensure responsible human-cetacean interactions. This paper systematically reviews fifty years of whale-watching tourism research to identify the main research topics of academic interest, aimed at identifying some remaining gaps requiring attention. The study mapped and downscaled scientific knowledge by employing scientometrics. Results show that research has preferably focused on assessing the impact of the activity on cetaceans by monitoring species behavioural patterns and, more recently, by understanding consumer attitudes and behaviour. Despite rising research output, from the standpoint of cetacean well-being protection, impacts also continue to increase. Hence, there is still a need for more insights, especially from the human perspective. A more in-depth understanding of the underpinnings of social behaviour will contribute to providing more knowledgeable, tailored management responses to advance towards a sustainably responsible whale-watching tourism model.