Pods of whales swim up and down the east and west coasts, dazzling whale watching tours as they breach and slap their tails. Before reserving your trip, check the weather. Call the tour boat office to make sure they have been sighting whales. Wear layered warm clothing and socks. The Grey whale’s skin is home to barnacles and sea lice. Be sure to bring a camera, sunscreen and extra clothes since even on hot days the breezes out at sea can be cold. ... Only found along Canada’s west coast, the Grey whale uses its baleen to filter tiny little creatures from the ocean floor. Climb aboard Ocean Explorers’ whale watching boat. Best Full-Day Tour: Plymouth Plantation Plus a Whale Watching Tour – Buy Tickets at Viator "Perfect if you’re looking for a full-day experience but don’t want to drive." Check the weather, since trips head out whether it is rainy or the sun is shining. These experiences are best for dolphin & whale watching in Gold Coast: 2.5hr Gold Coast Kayaking & snorkelling tour; Whale Watching Tour in Gold Coast; Sunset Sightseeing Cruise with Cheese Platter; See more dolphin & whale watching in Gold Coast on Tripadvisor You will simply have to get lucky to see one from the shore, or take a ferry to Cape May, NJ, drive up to Delaware or down to Virginia to see the whales. They make the outer skin look like ocean rock. Humpback whales feed on eels and herring off Cape May, an East Coast whale watching destination with a long season that extends all the way from March through December. Whales, some of the largest animals in the ocean, travel up and down the East Coast of the United States each year as they look for food and head to their breeding grounds. Any time, morning or afternoons are good, so make it convenient for your schedule. Often sightings are up in May, June, September and October due to whales feeding on migrating fish. For those with memberships to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, the tour rates are $28 for adults and $24 for children. Their 3-hour cruises spot whales 90% of the time. The Atlantic Explorer provides a heated cabin for those who wish to observe from a warm setting. From May to November each year, Australia’s east coast transforms into a whale watching hot spot, with vast numbers heading north to breed after a summer spent feeding in Antarctic waters. Join a whale watching cruise to see them breed, play, or snack on plankton, and you’ll learn about the whales’ secret world. Before heading to your boat, call and confirm your trip and make sure weather conditions have not canceled your trip. Next thing you know, you’ll be shouting “there she blows!”. Call 800-826-9300 or BUY TICKETS Learn all about whale migration and biology at the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center, whose staff help visitors explore all things cetacean. PLEASE NOTE:- trips may be … When taking a trip with the Research Center, you become a Citizen Scientist for a few hours as you assist them with their ongoing research. Bottled water and ice will be onboard. Tripadvisor Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Her favorite places to visit are National Parks, waterfalls and lighthouses. 1. Let the ocean come to you and board the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center’s Atlantic Explorer for a 2½-hour ocean exploration. So, without further ado, here are the best places to go whale watching in Ireland. Just a short trip from Boston, Barnstable is a top destination for whale watching on Cape Cod, where you’ll spot humpback whales, minke whales, and finback whales. After a long swim from the chilly Bay of Fundy, humpback whales enjoy the warm waters of Virginia Beach between December and March, making it a great destination for whale watching experiences. Still not sure where to go? These are the best places for groups seeking dolphin & whale watching in Northeast Region: North Sailing; Whale Watching Hauganes; Elding Whale Watching Akureyri; Gentle Giants Whale Watching; Ambassador Whale Watching; See more dolphin & whale watching for … Gray Whales only thrive on the west coast of the North American continent so California is one of just a handful of whale watching locations where you can see this unique species. The Gulf of Maine is an ideal whale habitat because it’s filled with all the staples of a whale’s diet—squid, krill, and plenty of fish. What is the best time of day to schedule your trip? The boats are ADA compliant, house a snack bar/beverage bar, bathrooms, and a heated indoor cabin when you need to warm up. Read our privacy policy for details. The best time to see whales in popular destinations throughout the east coast ranges between May through July and September through November. Walk the 1.6-mile Walking Dunes Trail to the Great Dune. Since the dune is 80 feet high, the added elevation provides a terrific look out over the Atlantic waters as you do some whale watching in Delaware. Best Classic from Boston: Boston Whale Watching Cruise – Buy Tickets at Viator "The classic Boston Whale Watching Cruise is a great way to see the gentle giants up close." Head through the Delaware Bay and into the Atlantic Ocean to the nutrient-rich whale feeding grounds aboard one of South Jersey’s fastest boat. November through December 13, 2020, Daily at 1pm, March 13 – April 18, 2021 weekends at 1pm, April 24 – October 31, 2021, Daily at 1pm. Obviously, a whale-watching tour is the best way to see humpback whales doing what they do best in their native habitat. Boat decks and stairs can become slippery out on the water. The resident population of sperm whales at … First Landing Charters gives you a small group option when it comes to hitting the seas to watch the whales jump, play, and feed off the Virginia Beach coast. Best time to go: April to October. Here are some of our favourite whale viewing places: The best whale-watching hot spots in South Africa 1. Booking UPDATE - BOOKING OPENS MARCH 1. Those without "sea legs" might want a seasickness bracelet or medicine on windy days… That means that every season is whale watching season, but a vacation in the warm months from spring to fall gives you a chance to spot humpbacks, minke whales, and grey whales when you hit the water for a whale watching cruise around the San Juan Islands. Whale watching tours are offered all along the New England coast (see below) typically from May through October. Then join us and discover the Yorkshire Coast’s biggest secret! Call to inquire before you book on the off-season though, as the boats aren’t always running. The three-hour journey will take you off the Jersey Shore to see some unique wildlife. Rudee Tours does offer you a second whale watching trip for free if they are unable to locate any whales. Think about including gloves and a scarf to your whale watching outfit too. Cape May whale watching tours spot everything from Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to massive blue whales, but humpbacks make most frequent appearances, measuring up to 50 feet from tip to tail. (peak season). Most stay far from the coast, but a few get close enough to spot as they feed on their way too and from the warm Caribbean waters. Mother whales head south in winter to give birth in the warm waters south of Florida. Leave the shore behind and listen to what’s happening beneath the waves—encountering whales in the wild can kick-start your sense of wonder. 2020's top dolphin & whale watching in East Coast of USA include Dolphin & Whale Watching, Dolphin & Whale Watching + Outside Hilton Head. The best time to go whale watching in Virginia is from December through March, when the mama whales are headed south to give birth to their calves. Find out what amenities each boat provides. Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the most spectacular whale watching places on Earth. Planning a whale watching trip in the States? Some of the most popular places to watch whales are the towns around Boston and Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Often sightings are up in May, June, September and October due to whales feeding on migrating fish. Their Marine Mammal Guarantee states that if there are no sightings of porpoises, dolphins or whales on your trip, a free pass for another trip is issued. If you are planning on exploring the Aquarium before or after your whale watching experience, the add-on trip tickets are $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for children. Spring and summer see whales heading north to Canada to eat their fill of plankton and other small fish. You will accompany some of the best local marine educators and researchers as they will share their expert knowledge and spot a variety of fascinating winter wildlife along your journey. 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