Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
More than 22 species of whale and porpoise lurk offshore throughout Atlantic Canada,
drawn to the rich fishy feeding waters. The standout species include the leaping and
diving humpback whale, the highly endangered North Atlantic right whale and the
largest leviathan of all, the mighty blue whale.
Whale-watch boat operators are ubiquitous and will bring you close to the creatures.
Popular tour areas include Cape Breton, Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail coastline, especially
around Pleasant Bay.
The most common sightings here are humpback, minke and pilot whales. In New
Brunswick, there is excellent whale watching along the eastern Fundy Shore and around
the Fundy Isles; right whales and blue whales are viewable. Newfoundland pretty much
has whales swimming all around its shores, with humpback and minke commonly seen;
tour operators cluster around Witless Bay Ecological Reserve and Twillingate .
Some tours get you closer to the action in Zodiacs while other tours are conducted on
big, relatively comfortable ferry-like motorboats . Look for smaller tours such as Ocean
Explorations Whale Cruises (
Click here
)
on Digby Neck, which are led by marine biolo-
gists. Many tours focus on more than just whales and will take you to see seals, puffins
or other seabirds as well.
Standard trips last about two hours and cost around $55 to $80 per adult. The sighting
success rate is often posted and you should ask if there's any sort of money-back guaran-
tee if you do not see whales. Remember, you're heading out on open sea for many of
these tours, so be prepared for a wavy ride. If you're at all prone to seasickness, medicate
beforehand. It's also cold out there, so take a jacket or sweater. The season varies by loc-
ation but usually is in July and August.
And while whale-watch tours are great, never underestimate what you can see from
shore, especially from places such as Cape Breton's Cabot Trail and throughout New-
foundland's Avalon Peninsula. Seeing the faraway spout of a whale from a cliff top while
a bald eagle soars overhead is a true Maritime experience.
MARINE CONDITIONS
Kayakers, fisherfolk and anyone else sailing out to sea can check
www.buoyweather.com
for marine conditions all around Atlantic Canada.
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