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Who Wants A Boston Whale Watching Cruise?
By CruiseDirector | March 17, 2010
A Boston whale watching cruise is something you don’t want to miss! Whales are so prevalent around the Boston area that most tour operators offer sighting guarantees. You’ll witness a good assortment of humpback, minke and finback whales, as well as white-sided dolphins on your adventures from April through October. On your trip, be sure to wear sneakers, jeans, a t-shirt, a sweater, a raincoat, gloves and a hat, since it’s always colder out on the water. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the many harbor cruise whale watching opportunities in and around the Boston area.
A lot of opportunities to go on a whale watching trip are available 40 minutes north of Boston in Gloucester, Massachusetts. However, Boston Harbor Cruises offer a popular three-hour whale watching cruise from Long Wharf (one block from Faneuil Hall). Each trip features narration from whale research professionals from the Whale Center of New England, the region’s foremost authority on whale populations, so you’ll be sure to learn all about the behavioral and migratory patterns of the whales. Each Boston whale watching tour takes place aboard a high-speed catamaran so most of your time will be spent watching the whales, rather than getting out to sea. The boat features three outdoor decks, a climate-controlled cabin with cushioned seating, a state-of-the-art video system and free Wi-Fi, as well as a galley with food or beverages. You may see humpbacks, minkes and finback Whales, as well as white-sided dolphins. Tickets are $39.95 for adults, $35.95 for seniors and $31.95 for children ages 4 to 12. For more information, visit www.bostonharborcruises.com.
Board the Voyager III catamaran for another great Boston whale watching cruise. Water Transportation Alternatives Inc. works in conjunction with the famous New England Aquarium to offer one of the oldest (and best) whale research programs in the country. This sailing vessel is specially designed for whale watching, with multiple decks, ample indoor seating, an onboard concessions bar (serving snacks, drinks and cocktails) and fast speeds to get you out to the whales in no time at all. You’ll journey to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a prime feeding ground for finback, minke, pilot and humpback whales, and the critically-endangered right whales. It’s not unusual to see white-sided dolphins frolicking alongside the ship too. Tickets are sold April through mid-October and cost $44.95 for adults and $30.18 for children, with a five dollar savings if booked online at www.bostontours.us/tours/tourDetail.cfm?tour_id=10521.
Even though there are many Boston whale watching cruise operators, you will likely see the same type of whales time and time again. The finback whale is second in size only to the blue whale, with bodies reaching 70 feet in length and weights up to 70 tons. This dark blue-gray and white whale is known as one of the most mournful, baritone singers beneath the sea and can cruise up to 35 miles per hour, often halting to inspect a stopped whale watching boat. The dark gray humpback whale has one of the chunkier bodies with identifying knob-like bumps on their head. These expert singers are capable of a wide range of tones and are the most acrobatic of whales, with jumping, slapping the tail, waving and breaching. They are also among the most endangered species in the world, with an estimated 2,000 to 4,000 left in the wild. The minke is the smallest of the baleen whales, with dark gray coloring, characteristic white markings on its flippers and two blow-holes.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treating panic disorder as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medications available at www.anxietydisordercure.com.
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