The Best Places For Massachusetts Whale Watching
Massachusetts whale watching tours depart from Gloucester, Boston, Cape Cod and Provincetown. Each region has its own special attributes. For instance, Gloucester is home to a thriving arts community and much history, as America's oldest seaport. Boston is a world-class destination that attracts more than 18 million annual tourists to its mecca of shopping, dining and entertainment. Cape Cod is heralded for its breathtaking coastal road trips, luxury living and vibrant summer festivals. Provincetown is beloved for its stunning beaches, renowned museums and its promotion of tolerance for people of all walks of life. On your next visit to Massachusetts, why not add a whale watching cruise to your itinerary? Here are some of the best places to look.
Gloucester whale watching tours are popular because the city is conveniently situated 12 miles from Stellwagen Bank and 8 miles from Jeffrey's Ledge, which are two prime whale feeding grounds. In these areas, there is a 99% chance you'll see minke, finback, sperm, sei, beluga, humpback and blue whales, in addition to dolphins, harbor seals, sea turtles and marine birds. There are many popular tour operators out of Gloucester, including the award-winning 7 Seas Whale Watch (www.7seas-whalewatch.com), the family-owned Captain Bill and Sons (www.captbillandsons.com) and the experienced Cape Ann Whale Watch (www.caww.com).
Forty minutes south, Boston, Massachusetts whale watching cruises are also popular because many of the tour operators are long-established and trusted sources of whale knowledge. Your whale watching trip may depart from Long Wharf, Rowes Wharf or Central Wharf and most tours cost around $45 for a 3 to 4 hour tour. The boats are spacious, often fitting 100 people, and include galleys with snacks and drinks, as well as multiple viewing decks. The local whale species in Stellwagen's Bank, including humpbacks, minkes and finbacks, are so prevalent that local cruise operators guarantee a sighting or the next trip is on them! Fore more information on a Boston whale watching tour, visit www.bostonharborcruises.com, www.massbaylines.com or www.harborexpress.com/whalewatch.
Its close proximity to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary makes the Provincetown port the best place for Massachusetts whale watching. Most of the Boston tours spend 45 minutes or so cruising down to whale territory, but visitors to Provincetown can often see the gentle giants breeching from the beach. On your whale watching cruise, you may see humpback, finback, right and minke whales, as well as marine birds, dolphins and sea turtles. A popular operator is Dolphin Fleet, which runs a comfortable 100-passenger vessel with indoor and outdoor decks, not to mention a galley offering full breakfast, lunch and cocktail menus. For more information you can visit www.whalewatch.com or www.provincetowntourismoffice.org.
Related topics about Massachusetts Whale Watching
Tips For Whale Watch Trips
Travelers usually expect to see something on their whale watch trips and tour operators desperately want to make that magic happen, and at any cost. Once the initial seasickness had subsided, the boat arrived at the prime whale watching area, along with five other boats full of eager tourists armed with cameras. In this distance, a couple humpback whales leapt out of the water.
Boston Whale Watching Opportunities
If you want to get away from the more popular Boston whale watching cruise experience and see something a little more remote, then you can take a pleasant 40 minute drive north to Gloucester. Here, you are conveniently situated between two prime feeding grounds; Stellwagen's Bay and Jeffrey's Ledge. Down in Stellwagen, you're likely to see humpbacks, minke and finback whales, as well as white-sided dolphins.
California Whale Watching Is Unique
California whale watching will take you out on a boat for the trip of a lifetime. While some whales are rather elusive, the humpback whale in particular is a curious beast. "By law, boats are required to stay one hundred yards away from whales," explains Benji Shake of Princess Monterey Whale Watching.