Guide Note

Whale watching is the activity of observing whales in their natural habitat. Whale watching is primarily a recreational activity, but it is conducted for scientific purposes as well.

Fast Facts

Originated as an organized activity at the Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego in 1950
Popular whale watching destinations:
1. Kaikoura, New Zealand
2. Hervey Bay, Australia
3. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Maine
Types of whales commonly seen:

Whale Watching Tips

Alternate between using and not using binoculars. Binoculars can be hard to look through on a moving boat and restrict your viewing area.
Whales move about five miles per hour. They move south in the winter and north in the spring.
Whales normally swim in a cycle of 3 to 5 blows, 30 second apart, followed by a three- to six-minute dive.
Dress warmly.
Wear sunscreen.

What to Bring

Binoculars
Rubbersoled shoes
Warm clothes or blanket
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Camera or Camcorder
Playing cards or book

Categories

Hobbies | Outdoor Hobbies | Science

View Note History

Whale Watching

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Whale Watching | Whale Watching Center
International Whale Commission: Whale Watching Commission
WHIO: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
National Geographic: Tour Guides Research While Whale Watching
Hyannis Whale Watching: Whale Species
Oregon Parks & Recreation Department: Whale Watching Center
Live Science: All About Whales

Whale Watching News and Articles

Google News: Whale Watching
Boston.com: A Species Tagged For Survival (2007)
Aftenposten: "Whale Shot In Front Of Tourists" (2006)
Science News Online: " Are whale watchers making too much noise?" (2004)

Whale Watching Tours

Mahalo's Guide to Whales
Wild Bird Shop: General Information
Whale Watching Tour.com: What To Expect
Whale Watching Tour.com: What To Bring
Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society: Species Guide

North America

Whales: Cape Cod, Massachusetts Tours
Bar Harbor: Bar Harbor, Maine Tours
Condor Express: Santa Barbara, California Tours
Alaska Saltwater Lodge: Whale and Glacier Tours Seward, Alaska

South America

Whale Guide: Whale Watching Tours South America
Tours.com: Whale Watching Tours South America

Europe

Dolphin Fund: Whale and Dolphin Watching in Europe
Azores Whales: Futurismo Tours, Portugal

Africa

Whale Guide: Whale Watching Tours Africa
Cetacean Watching: Ocean Marvels and Migrations
Oceans Africa: South Africa Whale Watching Tours

Whale Watching Resources

Whale Net: Interactive Educational Whale Information
WDCS: Protecting Whales, Dolphins and Their Environment
WhaleNet: Whale Net Resources
Oregon Parks and Recreation Department: Oregon Parks & Recreation Dept Whale Watching Center
American University: Whale watching in Kaikoura, New Zealand

Whale Watching Blogs and Forums

5 Star Whales: JPod In Fog Near San Juan Islands
SF Bay Whale Watching: San Francisco Bay Area Whale Watching
Trawler Blog: Ship's Blog The Adventures of Abyssinia and Crew
Greenpeace: Respecting The Past, Saving The Future
South Africa: Whale Watching in South Africa

Whale Watching Pictures, Videos and Fun Stuff

Flickr: Whale Watching Images
PhotoBucket: Whale Watching Images
PhotoBucket: Whale Watching Videos
YouTube: Whale Watching With Sea Shepherds Conservation Society
Google Image Search: Whale Images

Whale Watching Links of Special Interest

Killerwhale: Adopt a Killer Whale
Monterey Bay Aquarium: Sea Life of Monterey Bay
WDCS: Adopt a Whale

Related Searches

Whales | Oceanography | Endangered Species | Boating

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