Whale Watching Tips

Whale watching is an amazing, exhilarating experience!! Seeing these magnificent, gentle mammals first hand is most humbling. Experiencing the power of a Humpback whale as he propels his 40-50 ton body out of the water is mind numbing.

California offers some of the BEST whale watching in the world! It’s possible to go out any month of the year and see whales and/or dolphin.

The we offer here can be used for whale watching trips anywhere, not just California.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WHALE WATCHING COMPANY:

Before you make reservations find out about the company. Check out their web site and see what they offer. Look for one that has a marine biologist or naturalist on board to give you information about the animals and answer your questions.

Make sure you know what the company’s policy is on sightings. Some companies offer a money back guarantee, some offer rain checks if they don’t find any whales or dolphin and others don’t offer anything. It’s best to be informed before you go out.

WHALE WATCH DRESS CODE:
Layer those clothes!! It’s much better to overdress than underdress-you can always take a layer off if you get too warm but you can’t put it on if you didn’t bring it to begin with. Read the rest of this entry »

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Enjoy the Spectacle of a Cape Cod Whale Watching Trip

If you’re visiting between the months of April and October, one of the most thrilling ways to spend a few hours is on a whale watching trip. It is the quintessential day trip that millions of visitors have made since 1975 when the very first whale watching boats set out from Provincetown harbor.

Once upon a time, Cape Cod was the whaling capital of the world, and Provincetown was one of the busiest whaling ports in the United States. But after whaling was banned by the international community in 1972, the focus shifted to eco-tourism. Nowadays the “hunts” are carried out with cameras and binoculars, rather than harpoons.

There are a number of companies that offer Cape Cod whale watching trips, departing from either Provincetown or Barnstable or off-Cape in Plymouth. All will take you out to Stellwagen Bank, an 800 square mile federally protected marine sanctuary whose southern end lies just off the coast of Provincetown. The shape of this underwater plateau forces deep sea currents to rise to the surface, bringing nutrients with them. That makes the area a prime feeding ground for whales and other sea mammals during the summer months.

Provincetown is closest harbor to Stellwagen Bank so you’ll spend less time sailing out to the whales and more time watching them if you sail from there. But driving all the way out to the tip of Cape Cod in busy summer traffic can be a frustrating experience so some visitors, particularly those who are staying in the mid Cape or upper Cape, choose to start their whale watching trips from Barnstable harbor instead. Read the rest of this entry »

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What to Expect From Your First Whale Watching Expedition

Sailing out into the warm waters off the coast of Panama, you work to get your sea legs as your eyes scan the shimmering surface for the prize which has been long-awaited. You look back to see the land diminishing as the ocean around you expands. You fight to hold on to your hat with one hand while balancing your binoculars with the other, imagining that first great moment. Suddenly, the long-anticipated call is sounded. “Whales!” Your adrenaline gushes as you search the waters for the mammal you have often seen in National Geographic travelogues or read about in high school literature. There it is; only a lens-length away. The mighty humpback whale. As the whale breaches you feel your heart mimicking the same leaping motion. This is your great moment; the moment that propels you into a love relationship with whale watching.

The electrifying thrill of your first whale sighting is an experience you now realize will be almost impossible to duplicate. They might be far away or they could be swimming right alongside your boat. But no matter where they are the thrill will be the same.

But let’s step back for a moment. Before you even step foot onto the boat that will take you off to this exhilarating experience there are a few things you must reconcile in your mind in order to be fully prepared for your first whale watching excursion. It may sound elementary, but a joyful, positive attitude is the first step. Let go of any expectations and plan on having a great day on the water no matter what comes up. Whale watching can be unpredictable at best and there are no guarantees you will see whales at all. For a positive experience, find a whale watching company that has a high success rate with their sightings and is very respectful to the whales and does not chase or harass them. Read the rest of this entry »

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