Stellwagen bank marine sanctuary is the most popular destination since it is a perfect feeding ground for humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, pilots, northern right whales, as well as dolphins and hundreds of birds. Boston ma best whale watch gloucester whale watch in. The wcne has been studying the whales of new england for more than 20 years and its members are recognized worldwide as authorities on whales. On a new england aquarium whale watch, you are guaranteed to see whales. Boston whale watching cruise on a highspeed catamaran 2020. The biologically rich waters of stellwagen bank and jeffreys ledge are one of the few areas on earth where you can be almost certain of seeing at least a few large, endangered whales on just a halfday whale watch. To download the full whaleplanner as a graphic, please just click this link and save.
These northern hemisphere humpbacks reach an average length of 50 feet, and a weight of about 37 tons. More often than not, you see your first whale with ptown still in sight. Whale watching early june boston forum tripadvisor. Hop aboard the citys most enthralling boston sightseeing excursion, old town trolley tours of boston. During one of our final whale watching trips in the 2018 season she was seen double breaching with another humpback whale just north of stellwagen bank.
Directions to 7 seas whale watch gloucester ma 01930 42. The hurricane ii is the largest, fastest and most stable whale watch boat north of boston. The best time for whale watching in massachusetts is from april to october, though whales dwell in bay state waters as early as midmarch and as late as early november. Whale app app wild about whales nsw national parks. One of the worlds most active marine sanctuaries, stellwagen bank is abundant with whales, dolphins, sea birds, and other marine life. Etchasketch her grandmother is salt, the oldest known and very first whale given a name on stellwagen bank. Meet the finback, humpback, and minke whales of the atlantic ocean, and take home rare souvenir photos of waving whale tails and breaching blowholes. They take tourists to various locations, about 35 km 22 mi offshore.
Our whale watch general last 3 to 4 hours and are available mornings and afternoons. The bhc whale watch tour to stellwagen bank marine sanctuary showcases a wealth of whale species and other sea life. Bostons best whale watch cape ann whale watching whale. Off the coasts of california, there is no shortage of whale watching tours available for whale season. Whale watch and boston harbor cruises are suspended through april 6. Frequently asked questions boston ma best whale watch.
While the official recommendation is to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure, we strongly suggest. In the event that you dont, bhc grants you a rain check for another whale watch. The ocean waters off new england offer one of the best places in the world for a whale watch tour. Departing from boston is a longer trip out and return. Humpback whale drawing courtesy dolphin fleet of provincetown.
Stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary peak season. On april 24, 2020 boston harbor whale cruises observed an aggregation of right whales, northeast of boston, ma. The whaleplanner april a whale watching infographic whale trips. This happens not only during peak season or on weekends. All the whale watching excursions from boston, gloucester, plymouth, provincetown and ogunquit, maine go to the same placestellwagen bank, an extensive shallower spot where the sand eels favorite food are. You have to book a boston harbor cruises tour, which is the only operator for whale watching there.
Whale watching cruises operate out of most of the major seaports, including gloucester and provincetown on cape code and portsmouth, new hampshire providing an adventure filled with opportunities to view and learn about whales as they frolic in their natural habitat. But this summer, new england aquarium boston harbor cruises whale watches have also featured an astonishing assortment of smaller marine animals, including atlantic. The spring and fall are excellent times to go whalewatching in addition to taking advantage of the restful offseason. However, it is important to do your research before embarking, as not all whale watching tours are created. Nov 05, 2010 boston harbor cruises seems to run daily till the end of nov boston harbor cruises, whale watch rates, whale watch schedule.
Some of the factors involved are water temperature warmer later in. A fabulous trip for anglers and their families to enjoy groundfishing for winter flounder in calm water close to shore. Nsw whale watching season wild about whales nsw national. Hanifaru bay, an uninhabited island in baa atoll is a great option for those travelling to the maldives during the wet season, i. Its the very begining of the season so it can be hit or miss. Another whale species you might see in the off season is the humpback whale, whose adults range in length from 40 to 50 feet and often appear from april to june.
The new england aquarium, or neaq f or short, offers 3hour whale watching trips that run from april through october. Whale watching massachusetts whale watching ma whale. Whale watching fleets offer excursions guided by naturalists who teach passengers all about these peaceful, endangered creatures, and know where to find them. You have to book a boston harbor cruises tour, which is the only operator for whale watching there best seats. The new england aquarium whale watching cruise is your opportunity to see some of the planets most majestic sea creatures. In order to get the discount, you must pick up a coupon from the info desk inside the aquarium before your whale watch departs. Whale watching new england boston harbor 062017 youtube. We are a well established, family owned and operated boston whale watch adventure company in gloucester, massachusetts, now in our 60th season of cape ann whale watching excursions. Cape ann whale watch in gloucester, massachusetts provides guaranteed whale sightings for every whale watching tour out to stellwagen bank, a national marine preserve about 12 miles off the coast of gloucester deemed one of the top 5 whale watching destinations in the world by the world wildlife fund due to the wide variety. Cape ann whale watch in gloucester, massachusetts provides guaranteed whale sightings for every whale watching tour out to stellwagen bank, a national marine preserve about 12 miles off the coast of gloucester deemed one of the top 5 whale watching destinations in the world by the world wildlife fund due to the wide.
See how the season progresses with the whale sightings counter. A small whale the minke whale grows between 1525 and weighs in at a modest 58 tons just a tad more than me according to my kids. Booking in advance is highly recommended, as trips sell out quite often. Whale watching in boston explore the whale trail all year long. Of course, there are no guarantees in life, but boston harbor cruises promises this.
Judith, rhode island, the finback whale will be the largest whale found in new england, growing to a length of 70 feet. Reducing ship strikes to north atlantic right whales noaa fisheries. Many whale watching tours operate out of boston harbour. The hurricane ll is 115 feet long, making it the largest whale watch boat north of boston 400 feet of rail side viewing room, 500 sq. Most take 34 hours, heading out to the major whale feeding grounds of stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary off massachusetts, jeffreys ledge, or the. These whales are particularly acrobatic, so you might see them splashing about on the surface of the ocean in addition to coming up for air. Subscribe to naturescapes for the latest news from nsw national. The orange and green trolleys have been providing guests with transportainment for more than 30 years. Aug 02, 2016 whale watching new england boston harbor 062017 duration.
One of the whales youre likely to spot during a boston whale watching cruise is the humpback. Their most distinctive characteristics include an asymmetrical lower jaw thats white on the right side and greyblack on the left with 50200 pleats on the lower jaw that expand during feeding. At 6080 feet and 5060 tons, finbacks are second in size only to blue whales. The only national park of new england is acadia national park in maine with more than 200 kilometers of easy hiking trails. Jan 20, 2009 the best time of the year to go whale watching is anywhere between april october maybe november depending on the weather.
Meet the finback, humpback, and minke whales of the atlantic ocean, and take home rare souvenir photos. Your guide to whale watching in boston wheretraveler. Jun 10, 2018 whale watching tour conducted by boston harbor cruises at 1100h on 6th may 2018. On any of its 34 hour whale watch cruisesfour highspeed catamarans cruise out of the harbor five to eight times each day, seven days each weekyou will see whales. All of the local whale watch companies, boston harbor cruises or the new england aquarium both go to stellwagon bank which is the feeding area for whales. From 2hour trips to multiday cruises, whale watching during whale season is a highly popular activity. From boston, stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary is just a short ride away. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Apr 10, 2017 monday, april 10, 2017 by new england aquarium i could never summarize todays trip in a single sentence, so here goes. Download our free app to find the top whale watching spots in nsw and submit your sighting. I was told by an art gallery owner in provincetown in mid april that whales had been spotted from land thats a bit unusual, but it happens, and it tends to suggest that the whale watching season will be a good one.
The best time for whale watching in massachusetts usa today. The 3hour cruise is guided by a naturalist from the whale center of new england who will share intriguing facts about the whales and other marine life during. You will watch whales aboard the hurricane ii, the largest, fastest whale watch vessel in massachusetts, north of boston. Once you have, its an experience you wont soon forget. Whale watching boston best time to visit top tips before. That experience can be yours in massachusetts, one of the topten whalewatching spots in the world, according to the world wildlife fund. New england aquarium whale watching cruise trusted tours. Whale sharks are more common in the narrow part of the. Second in size is the rare right whale at 60 feet followed by the humpback whale at a mere 50 feet.
The us coast guard dispatched two cutters to rescue more than 150 passengers stranded overnight monday on a boston harbor cruises whale watch vessel, but authorities deemed conditions too. Whale watching tours travel to several premium feeding grounds, including some about 25 miles off the coast of boston. Old town trolley is the best way to relive history and see all our countrys cradle of liberty has to offer. In warmer months, many species of whales including humpback, finback, right, and minke whales migrate to rich feeding grounds off the new england coast to dine on mackerel, herring, krill and other schooling fish. Boston tour and whale watching package old town trolley tours. Boston harbor cruises takes passengers to stellwagen bank marine sanctuary, where there is an abundance of marine life to behold. Whale watch lurches into overnight ordeal the boston globe. Whale watch sightings our whales from boston harbor cruises.
I have been out in april and scene only 2 or 3 whales on the trip far less then later sping or summer. Cape ann whale watch is the area whale watching leader. What time of the year is the best time to go whale watching. Whaletrips new england best tips for whale watching in. Whale watching boston best time to visit top tips before you go. Apr 30, 2009 the whale watching season started in late april. Our first sighting was an absolutely gorgeous fin whale with its immense size that could be appreciated as it swam along parallel to the boat. Whale watch boston harbor cruises saturday july 30 clock icon 10. Boston whale watching cruise by highspeed catamaran. Another whale species you might see in the offseason is the humpback whale, whose adults range in length from 40 to 50 feet and often appear from april to june.
Ever been up close and personal with a 50foot, 40ton whale. Step onboard and experience an unforgettable journey. You can ride in comfort aboard a highspeed vessel that reduces travel time, which gives you more time to view the whales. A variety of seabirds can also be seen in the area. Whale watching season whale watching iceland tours. Please view our sightings guarantee below for details. Explore the massachusetts whale trail, a oneofakind collection of statewide sites, stories and adventures highlighting nearly 40 museums, attractions, whale watching excursions, historic sites and tours dedicated to these beloved creatures of the deep. May 07, 2010 almost all whale watches out of boston, plymouth, portland, portsmouth, gloucester, etc are the same length but since stellwagon bank is just off of ptown, you spend less time traveling and more time whale watching on provincetown boats. The minke whale is the most abundant whale in the world with population estimated at 1,000,000 with the bulk of them in the southern hemisphere. New england whale watching cruises massachusetts, new. Whalewatching cruises operate out of most of the major seaports, including gloucester and provincetown on cape code and portsmouth, new hampshire providing an adventure filled with opportunities to view and learn about whales as they frolic in their natural habitat. Boston whale watching boston harbor and glouocester. However, you should probably come here at the end of whale watching season, when the indian summer colorfully lights up the deciduous forests along the north american east coast. Whale watching provincetown chamber of commerce, inc.
We might travel to boston the second week of november. Check out our pick of the best whale watching vantage points, tours and accommodation in nsw. The us coast guard dispatched two cutters to rescue more than 150 passengers stranded overnight monday on a boston harbor cruises whalewatch vessel, but authorities deemed conditions too. New england whale watch tours discover new england. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale. In boston, cruises are operated by several companies, including the new. Whale watching tour gloucesters most popular whale watch.
1137 1151 558 1458 1259 446 705 1301 23 79 683 595 1482 991 1349 1171 836 200 46 553 851 1073 16 420 51 1082 981 156 1049 106 335 735 1392 784 1231 775 1027 1137 1124 676 1294 491 1033 372 37 171 1292