Cape Cod Whale Watching

Cape Cod Has The Best Whale Watching in Massachusetts!

Whale Tail - Cape Cod Bay, MA CAPE COD WHALE WATCHING Winter 2011-2012 January 3, 2012 From the tales of "strange but true" whale watch reports ... Right Whales cruising the Cape Cod Canal! According to the US Army Corps of Engineers, the Canal was closed to boat traffic for about four hours yesterday, as two Right Whales made their way through the Canal, under the Sagamore Bridge, on their way toward Cape Cod Bay. I wish I'd heard the report earlier so I could have scooted out of work and headed to the Canal to see the amazing sight for myself! December 16, 2011 Bundle up, grab your binoculars, and hit the Bay-side beaches. It's time for winter whale watching! Over the past several weeks, there've been reports of rare North Atlantic Right Whale sightings in Cape Cod Bay. In early December, several Right Whales were spotted offshore from Ellisville Harbor State Park in Plymouth, on the "mainland" (western) side of Cape Cod Bay. Then yesterday, two or three Right Whales were sighted in Provincetown Harbor, on the eastern side of Cape Cod Bay. As Dr. Charles “Stormy” Mayo of the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies said a press statement ... The whales were putting on a show the likes of which I've never ever seen except from humpbacks — perhaps 100 breaches, some simultaneous side by side. And this was all happening just 1/3 mile offshore. Welcome to Cape Cod whale watching in the winter - shoreside!!

The Season for Whale Watching on Cape Cod

Whale watching in Cape Cod waters begins during early spring, with the northward migration of these gentle giants from their winter homes to their summer feeding grounds off the New England coast.

For you avid whale watchers, one of the best times to visit the Cape is mid-April to early May. That's when you'll have the best chance of spotting one of the most rare species in existence - the endangered Northern Right whale.

It's awe-inspiring to see these enormous (up to 60+ feet long!) creatures up close and personal. And it could well be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are only a few hundred Northern Rights left in the world!

The height of Cape Cod whale watch season is from June to September.

During the summer months, the Humpbacks are here, as are Finbacks, Minkes, Sei whales, and their colorful "cousins" - the Atlantic White-sided dolphin.

Just to let you know ... sightings are quite reliable virtually all season. I can't remember the last time I heard of a Cape Cod whale watching excursion returning to port without finding any whales!


The Cape Cod Whale Watching Experience

Whale watching on Cape Cod is a full-fledged nature experience, through and through.

Sure, the whales are the main attraction ...

But they aren't the only attraction, by any means. From pier to pier, all along the way, there's so much more to see.

Avid birdwatchers - be sure to bring you binoculars. Among the many species common to our waters, you might spot Wilson's Storm Petrels, Northern Gannets, Greater Shearwaters and Laughing Gulls, just to name a few.

And kids of all ages - keep an eye out for harbor seals, porpoises, dolphin, and perhaps a giant ocean sunfish or a basking shark along the way.

That's the beauty of being on the water in New England. You never know what you'll see. It's always an adventure!

Although some sportfishing charters also offer whalewatching, I generally suggest a specialized cruiseline for the best all-around (and most affordable) tour.

Depending on where you're staying and how far you're willing to drive, you'll have two Cape Cod whale watching ports to choose from:

Barnstable Harbor in the mid-Cape region, or Provincetown Harbor at the farthest tip of Cape Cod.


Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
Barnstable Harbor
Barnstable, MA
(508) 362-6088
www.whales.net

Despite the name, these excursions actually depart from Barnstable Harbor on Cape Cod Bay. That's about 5 miles north of Hyannis.

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises features a state-of-the-art, high-speed, water-jet driven ship that's designed and built especially for whale watching. It's a good-sized vessel measuring in at 130-feet in total length, with comfy interior cabins, a well-stocked galley, and outdoor decks for up-close viewing.

The naturalists onboard do a great job of narrating the sights, and they might even introduce you to some of the whales by name. (Yes, the same whales return to our area year after year, and individuals are easily recognized by their distinctive markings.)

Whale Watching Season: Mid-April to late October

Time Onboard: About 3-4 hours

Tickets (2011): $47 per adult; $28 per child 4-12; Free boarding pass for children 3 and under. Advance reservations are strongly recommended!!!

Discounts: Seniors, online discount coupon

Parking: Parking is available in the lot just past Millway Marina ($15 per vehicle)

Dolphin Fleet is docked at MacMillan Pier in downtown Provincetown, MA.

An up-side of sailing from with the Dolphin Fleet is that it's the closest to the whale grounds. A downside is that Provincetown is at the far end of the Cape. So getting to the pier might take you a while, unless you're staying in Provincetown or in one of the nearby towns (Truro, Wellfleet, or Eastham).

Dolphin Fleet has multiple ships, each with climate-controlled cabins, open viewing decks, and a galley serving a variety of meals, snacks and beverages. Onboard exhibits and hands-on displays will entertain and amuse the kids - and adults, too - during travel time to the whalegrounds.

Whale Watching Season: Mid-April to late October

Time Onboard: About 3-4 hours

Tickets (2011): $42 per adult; $34 per child under 12; Free boarding pass for children 4 and under. Advance reservations are strongly recommended!!!

Discounts: AAA, seniors, large groups, online discount coupon

Parking: Parking can be a real headache in Provincetown, especially during the summer months. If you get there early enough, you might find a spot in the parking lot adjacent to the pier. If not, check the side streets a few blocks away from the pier. You can usually find a spot in one of those lots. (Expect to pay $15-$30 or more for parking, depending on the time of year and where you park.)

Suggestion: If you'll be whale watching during June, July or August, be sure to get into town early enough so you'll have plenty of time to park the car, walk to the pier, and be on time for your Provincetown whale watch excursion!