Listening for right whales in the gulf of maine noaa fisheries. Come aboard the mister matthew and seek out magnificent whales such as the minke, finback, humpback and northern right whales in the beautiful bay of fundy. Whale watching in maine, kittery through portland whale watches. Join our captain as he sets course on a journey to view those majestic mammals in their own environment. The orca escorts a trawler in georges bank, rolling on its side to check out the captain and his boat.
New rules to protect endangered right whales face delays. An on board naturalist will narrate your trip with indepth commentary on the local ecology and an educational look into the wonderful world of whales. This respected, timetested company was founded over 80 years ago and was the first of its kind in the region. The rules and regulations designed to protect right whales are a result of more than 20 years of effort by. Business fell 20%, forcing him to cut his season short. The north atlantic right whale, the worlds secondmost endangered marine mammal, is having a catastrophic year in the waters off new england and atlantic. Whale watching package bayside resort hotel, west yarmouth, ma. In midapril, the whales arrive, cruising the coast until october, when they leave for warmer waters.
Noaas plan to save the whales has maine lobstermen boiling. Enjoy your day at a boothbay harbor whale watch newagen. The bar harbor whale watch company and town pier will be located on your left at 1 west street in downtown bar harbor. Whichever maine whale watch cruise you choose or any new england whale watching cruise, you will very likely be traveling to jeffreys ledge. The best time of year to see whales in maine is june, july and the beginning of august. The same whales, at least as far as humpbacks go, tend to hang around for a while feeding. Whale watching in maine, kittery through portland whale.
In maine you can hope to see humpbacks, pilot whales, minke and sperm whales, right whales and occasionally the largest finback whale that can be as big as your whale watch boat. Whale watching in the lubec, maine area visit lubec maine. The whale watching season for coastal maine lasts from about midspring through october. Whale watching in maine is a must for many visitors, and a whale sighting could amaze even the most stubborn teenager. Since i went to hawaii last summer i missed the whale season so we decided to go whale watching this july. June, july and the beginning of august are the best times to spot them off the coast of maine. Spring migration is long, with the hardiest species arriving as the snow begins melting in early march and continuing well into early june with a final. Bar harbor whale watching is a must do for anyone interested in marine life lobsters to seabirds and everything in between including whales, dolphins, porpoises and seals. If no whales are seen during your whale watch trip, your trip ticket will serve as a voucher to go out on another whale watch or any of our tours within three 3 years. View these majestic underwater giants during a boothbay harbor whale watch with capn fishs. Odyssey whale watch 170 commercial st, portland, maine 04101 rated 4. A maine guide to whale and seal watching tours state of maine whale watching has always been a popular attraction along maines coastline. But your chances of seeing whales increase dramatically when you take a maine whale watching tour out into the gulf of maine and beyond. Bar harbor whale watching an experience of a lifetime in maine.
Whale watching in maine is more than a spectator sport. Our new boat was launched in march 2006, it is 87 om bow to stern, and is equipped with the most modern safety and navigational equipment. Whale watching in maine is considered more than just an attraction and a spectators sport. Book online or call today for a true maine adventure. The granite state whale watch has two cruises each day, with the season running from june 15th to august 25th. It is sometimes possible to see a breaching whale, an errant flipper or a water spout from shore. Gray whale breaches in front of dana point harbor and whale watching boat duration. The best time for maine whale watching begins in midapril when hungry whales arrive to feast in local waters rich in sand eels. Where can you find the best whale watching in maine. Whale watchers get to see blue cetacean the boston globe. An on board naturalist will narrate your trip with indepth commentary on the local ecology and an educational look into the wonderful world of.
Maine seeks to aid lobstermen as federal whale protections loom. So i did not go in with high expectations, but was excited more for the 4 hour boat ride on the beautiful maine harbor. When to see whales in maine whales migrate to the coast of maine to feed in midspring, leaving in october for warmer waters. Why youll love to embark on a boothbay harbor whale watch.
Kennebunkport whale watching cruise first chance whale watch. Once at acadia national park, one side of mount dessert island was coldforsummer high 50s and rainy, the other side was sunny and comfortable 70s. Portland, maine ap a federal government plan to protect an endangered species of whale is snarled in delays and wont likely be. Nicks will cruise from kennebunkport to the summer feeding grounds of finbacks, humpbacks, minkes, the rare blue whale and the endangered right whale. Maine whale watchingthere are foot jet propelled catamarans operated by the bar harbor whale watch company that will speed you to the exact locations for best sighting. As part of the maine large whale take reduction plan during the summer of 2002, the department of marine resources dmr launched a whale sightings internet map site to track sightings of all species of whales in maine waters. Jul 16, 2017 gray whale breaches in front of dana point harbor and whale watching boat duration. It is a way for us to connect with and find beauty in nature. This was my first whale watching experience, and unfortunately was disappointing. From april to october, whales feed in the gulf of maine waters, one of the planets most productive aqua ecosystems. The ledge is a long, winding, relatively shallow area which stretches from the coast of rockport, massachusetts to just southeast of cape elizabeth, maine near portland. Whale watching is one of several amazing things to do in maine in june.
Capn fishs whale watch boothbay harbor all you need. Catastrophic dieoff of right whales in new england. Most tours are daily in the summer, and weekends in the spring and fall. Enjoy the ocean air, narration and sights of casco bay as we. Whales are in these waters from late june to october occupying their summer feeding grounds. Apr 02, 2018 whalewatching excursions from the village of bar harbor, maine, offer opportunity to see humpback, fin, minke and right whales frolic, breach and blow in their natural habitat. Whale sightings at the department of marine resources. The original ifaw research vessel song of the whale spent several seasons, starting in 1987.
For more than 25 years, this venerable outfitter has been bringing landlubbers to the humpback, finback, and minke feeding grounds in the gulf of maine. First chance whale watch is the premier company for whale watch and scenic boat tours around the kennebunk and kennebunkport areas of maine. Whale watching and sightseeing whales can sometimes be seen offshore at west quoddy head light in quoddy head state park and again from east quoddy light, on campobello island. The critically endangered mammal was spotted about 15 miles.
Weather is going to depend a lot on where you are, and its localized. Naturalists lead the cruises and provide expert narration. An 80foot blue whale gave tourists a rare treat sunday when it made an appearance off the coast of maine during a whale watching tour. Killer whale a sight to see for maine fisherman portland. Midapril brings the northern humpbacks, fin whales, the endangered north atlantic right whale and minke whales. And the maine birding trail has a list of places for a relaxing bird watching outing or locations to find birds you can add to your life list. All you have to do is relax, have your camera ready and enjoy the show. From bar harbor all the way down the coast of maine, whales can be seen cruising and frolicking throughout the summer. Tour the unmatched beauty of our craggy, rockbound coastline and sea, teaming with wildlife as diverse as eagles, osprey, whales, seals and porpoise. Summer is the perfect time to set out with your binoculars to observe these gentle marine giants. In addition to the standardissue whale watch trips, the company also offers sunset whale watches and puffin whale combination watches. The bar harbor whale watch company is located just 15 minutes from hanncock county airport, airport code bhb, with direct commuter service from boston on us airways express. Whale watching july 15, 2017 gulf of maine youtube. Apr 15, 2014 whale watching in maine is a must for many visitors, and a whale sighting could amaze even the most stubborn teenager.
Whale watching is one of the most exciting things to do in maine, and tours are available all along the coast. As the waters off the boothbay harbor coast begin to populate with a variety of whales, youll want to embark on a whale watch tour. Jan 27, 2017 at the four seasons resort punta mita, whale watching is just one of many activities you can enjoy during the december through march whale season. Whale watching from the fv lamb of god, 20 miles off the coast of maine. This trip with a catamaran out to the atlantic is breathtaking you will go 20 see miles out to get the experience to see whales it is fantastic to see the in the. Capn fishs whale watch boothbay harbor all you need to. Explore the beautiful natural and historical sights that maine has to offer with the variety of tours available through bar harbor. Jun 20, 2012 whale watching from the fv lamb of god, 20 miles off the coast of maine. Seals, dolphins, porpoises and puffins are also often seen around the whales. A big change could be in the works for new england lobstermen thanks to new regulations designed to protect endangered right whales. If you call the whale watch company they will be able to tell you what theyve been seeing on recent trips. Maine whale watching with odyssey whale watch, portland, maine. First chance whale watch kennebunkport whale watching in maine.
Island cruises whale watch tours on campobello island, new brunswick. The best time for maine whale watching begins in midapril when hungry whales arrive to feast in local waters rich in sand eels, copepods, plankton, and fish. Newburyport whale watch 54 merrimac street newburyport, ma 01950 18008481111 outside new england call 19784990832 return from whale watching in maine to inside york maine vacations home page. Sep 21, 2015 what sets the company apart is that its not only the biggest boating company in maine, but that it offers the largest whale watching vessel in north america, a jetpowered catamaran called the. Warming waters in the gulf of maine threaten whale populations.
Voyages meander from scenic boothbay harbor into the feeding grounds of whales, dolphins, sharks, and seals, with each marvelous sight indicated and explained by the boats naturalist, mechele. To help make ends meet, hes been leading nature tours instead of whale watching. In addition to the standardissue whale watch trips, the company also offers sunset whale watches and puffinwhale combination watches. Underwater technology is helping us find whales even when we cant. Capn fishs in the original whale watch in the mid coast maine region, and have the most knowledge of whale feeding grounds, whale movement during different times of the season, and where to go for the best whale watch experience in maine. The rocky coast of maine boasts some of the best whale watching in northern new england. The punta mita experience package allows you to pick a new activity for each day of your stay, from whale watching to a massage to a sea lion encounter. Here are a few of our favorite outfitters that offer terrific whale watching in maine. First chance whale watch kennebunkport whale watching in. Reports of whale sightings by aerial survey platforms, whale watch.
The worlds largest living creatures can be found feeding and frolicking just 20 miles off the maine coast. Click here to view location 4 western avenue route 9, kennebunk, maine 04043. When you go, you might see any of the species common to the region, including the northern humpback whale, minke whales, and northern fin. Whalewatching excursions from the village of bar harbor, maine, offer opportunity to see humpback, fin, minke and right whales frolic, breach and. What to expect seeing the oceans largest mammals up close and personal could be the highlight of your vacation. On the right way to right whale protections in the gulf of maine. Whale watching season in maine runs from may to october, allowing you plenty of time to take a tour.
See more ideas about whale watching, maine and whale. The whale season runs from mid spring thru the end of october. Whale watching in maine favorite spots new england today. Their experience is invaluable and allows them to provide one of the best whale watching tours on the coast of maine. At the four seasons resort punta mita, whale watching is just one of many activities you can enjoy during the december through march whale season.
Maine, like all of new englands coastal regions, has a long reputation as a fantastic fishery. I understand that there is no sonar since it is not good for the environment, and that there was a chance we might not see any whales at all. But north atlantic right whales no longer swim in the gulf of. From eastport and bar harbor in the north, to kennebunkport in the south, youll find cruise companies thatll have you safely and comfortably at the whale grounds in no time. The best time for whale watching in maine getaway usa. Whales love using maines waters as a summer playground, and some wonderful whale watching cruises in southern maine. I think late june to october is peak whale season that is when they offer whale only cruises i took my son when he was 5. With a seasoned captain and crew at the helm, boothbay whale watchs 100foot harbor princess ferries up to 149 passengers into the glistening atlantic in search of exotic marine life. I was last there during leaf season and between camping and small cottagesmotels, we never had trouble finding a place a day or two ahead of time. The best whale watching in maine dockside guest quarters.
United states whale watching maine or massachusetts. Maines craggy coastline is the perfect place to indulge that fascination. The new regulations would affect only lobstering by mainers in the gulf of maine. A humpback whale breaches in midair off of the coast of maine. A maine whale watching adventure awaits you aboard the odyssey. At the lubec town marina 31 johnson street ride the old sow with captain ralph aboard the lorna doone. A feeding ground for these hungry, acrobatic mammals is located just 20 miles offshore, so the chance of sightings are extemely high.