Whale watching is a spellbinding, entertaining, and
thought-provoking adventure trip. It’s a show with the largest
mammals on earth as the star performers. Whales are majestic and
graceful giants, who’s every move seems effortless,
choreographed, and yet playful. In this article discover how to
get the most out of your trip.
Imagine a lazy summer’s afternoon on a boat in a gentle rolling
ocean. A good breeze softly massages your face where you sit,
and you begin to close your eyes and drift away… the sound of
the boat’s engine begins to fade and finally stops. The boat,
like you, is drifting over the waves and following the breeze.
It’s very peaceful and calm and after a stressful week you feel
in harmony with the world. Then something explodes… out of the
water… and only a few feet from your nose! A 30-ton humpback…
the length of a large house... it breaches… and in another
second is gone. And you’re left in disbelief and wonder.
And it’s just the start of your whale watching!
While whales are scattered throughout the world there’s only a
handful of accessible locations to view them in their natural
environment. The coastal waters of New England and the west
coast of North America are prime locations for whale watching.
Hawaii and South Africa are also superb locations to spot
whales, as are the ocean waters around New Zealand.
So if a vacation or trip takes you to any of these areas make
sure you book a cruise and take in the largest show on earth.
Here’s some pointers to make sure you have an enjoyable whale
watch.
PLAN YOUR WHALE WATCHING TRIP
In the summer months whale watching is popular and so book early
– many tours suggest one week to avoid disappointment.
Whale watching cruises can last anywhere from 3 hours to 41/2
hours. If whales are just playing hard to find, then the captain
will make every effort to stay out as long as they can to get a
sighting.
While most boats are equipped with a place to buy food and drink
they don’t usually mind you taking your own pack lunch or
snacks. Because it can be a long ride until they find the whales
and then back to port take a novel or your walkman and listen to
your favorite music, or even whale song CD. If you’ve got young
children take something to keep them entertained as well.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A WHALE WATCH CRUISE
Before you book on a whale watching cruise check into the cruise
company. Check out their web site, you’ll usually find
information about the fleet’s experience and staff.
Today most whale watch boats have sophisticated equipment and
communications that help the captain find the whales. But if a
company has been organizing whale watch trips for many years
it’s a sign they’re doing something right and a safe bet for you.
My most rewarding trips have been when a naturalist or whale
expert has been on board to provide information and narrate the
tour.
CHECK FOR A WHALE SIGHTING GUARANTEE
Because of the very unpredictable nature of the whales, they’ll
be rare occasions when you just don’t see any. So make sure you
book on a cruise that offers a guarantee sighting or you get to
cruise again for free.
Offering a guarantee is another good sign of a confident and
experienced whale watch company. But remember if they spot one
whale and you weren’t watching or somewhere else on the boat
when they did – tough!
WHALE WATCHING IS DONE ON THE OPEN OCEAN.
Whale watching on the open ocean means if you suffer with motion
sickness at all then take something about an hour before you
board the cruise.
Experienced whale watch cruise captains do not go out in rough
seas, but it’s not a harbor cruise and the whale feeding grounds
are usually miles from land. The open sea can be a little choppy
even in the summer months.
QUICK CHECK OF WHALE WATCHING EQUIPMENT.
Recommended things to bring on your whale watch are a camera and
plenty of film or memory cards (if you’re digital). If you’ve
got binoculars take them as whales sometimes surface yards from
the boat, and having binoculars will give you spectacular views
and close ups others without them just won’t get.
Wear sneakers or something rubber-soled for good traction on a
wet and slippery deck. And take sunscreen, sunglasses, and if
it’s got a tie strap – a hat.
Because of the breeze and open water there’s usually a 15-degree
difference from land out in the ocean. So take a sweatshirt or
windbreaker just in case, and especially for a late afternoon
trip. Also the boats will go out in the rain and if you’ve got a
poncho take it.
The whales are waiting for you. These mesmerizing animals have
traveled thousands of miles so you can view them playing and
feeding. It’s really the biggest show on earth. So go ahead and
take the adventure - they don’t stay for long.
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