Whale watching in the lubec, maine area visit lubec maine. Their feeding area is an underground plateau known as jeffreys ledge, which lies just about 150 to 200 feet beneath the surface of the water. Bar harbor is famous for its east coast charm, and its numerous whale sightings. Cape ann whale watch a gloucester and boston ma area. The ledge provides a rich food source for whales, which feast primarily on herring. The whale season runs from mid spring thru the end of october. Explore the beautiful natural and historical sights that maine has to offer with the variety of tours available through bar harbor. Apr 15, 2014 whale watching in maine is a must for many visitors, and a whale sighting could amaze even the most stubborn teenager. 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. On the day of your trip, please check in at our ticket window.
One onlooker said the whale was only about 300 yards from the beach. Have a whale of a time watching for the majestic creatures that frequent the portland bay, cape nelson and cape bridgewater. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. Whale watching is one of the most exciting things to do in maine, and tours are available all along the coast. I understand that there are opportunities to go whale watching. Finding consensus on whale protections a tough call in maine. Lighthouse society passport stamps for the four lubec campobello lighthouses. The best whale watching in maine dockside guest quarters. Swim with dolphins in mexico, caribbean and jamaica at dolphin discovery up to 42% off. Best places for whale watching when to go whale watching. Maine whale watching will bring you a truly unique view of our coast seen not from shore but from miles out in the sparkling deep blue waters of the north atlantic.
Acadian whale adventures bar harbor 2020 all you need to. Coastal new england hosts a wide variety of excellent whale watching operations use our list as a. Jun 20, 2012 whale watching from the fv lamb of god, 20 miles off the coast of maine. When nearly 200 people set sail on a whale watch from bar harbor, maine, they never expected to be party to a whale rescue. Whales are aquatic mammals, belonging to a group of animals called cetaceans. Starting in the spring, a variety of whales make their way to the maine coast.
Maine whale watching with odyssey whale watch, portland, maine. When youre not whale watching, check out some of our favorite restaurants, shops, and attractions we listed inside. Whale watching in maine is a must for many visitors, and a whale sighting could amaze even the most stubborn teenager. Whale watching pictures download free images on unsplash. 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. Portland whale watching deals in portland, me groupon. Maine whale watching schedule aboard the odyssey, portland, maine. They include a large number of species which range in size from the four foot long common porpoise to the blue whale, the largest animal ever to have existed, which can reach lengths of 120 feet. The worlds largest living creatures can be found feeding and frolicking just 20 miles off the maine coast. The gulf of maine is an ideal whale habitat because its filled with all the staples of a whales dietsquid, krill, and plenty of fish. The bar harbor whale watch company and town pier will be located on your left at 1 west street in downtown bar harbor. Halving the number of vertical lines in a state where everyone fishes for lobster in their own way presents significant challenges for. Maines craggy coastline is the perfect place to indulge that fascination. There are several types of whales you can see on your tour, including humpback whales, pilot whales, minke whales, and fin whales.
We went whale watching which was something we had never done before. For whales, maines coastline is a summer playground, and whalewatching cruises and tours are toprated in the southern part of the state. The endangered right whale had most likely been caught in fishing gear, federal officials say. Low tide is the best time to seek sea glass on maine s beaches, especially after a storm. Capn fishs is the original whale watch in the midcoast maine region and has 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. Your support will go a long way in helping tour operators worldwide get back on their feet down the road. There are experienced fishermen who run whale watching boats from lubec, campobello island, as well as out of eastport. One of the biggest issues facing maines lobster industry is the plight of the north atlantic right whale.
Whale watch tour well, before i went on the excursion many people reported that whale sightings were not happening something to do with the water temp this year, so i prepared myself not to expect to see them and maybe see other creatures and enjoy the ride. It is very important to approach whales slowly, stay back 100 feet or more, and never cut them off especially when they are feeding. 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. Maine news, sports, politics, election results, and obituaries from the bangor daily news. Mostly black with long white flippers, bumps on head and distinctive, variably sized dorsal fin. Whale watching in maine is a oneofakind vacation experience. Is october too late for whale watching in bar harbor. Whale watching off coastal maine its amazing to see such beautiful creatures up close. There are several fine nearby opportunities for whale watching in maine while vacationing in york. Top 5 whalewatching spots in new england and atlantic canada. Witness humpback whales, pilot whales, minke whales, and the massive finback whale which can grow up to 80 feet long.
Named one of the top whale watching locations in the world by the world wildlife fund, cape cod is mostly inhabited by the humpback whale, though minke and fin whales are also spotted during the eightmonth long watching season. On the day of your trip, please check in at our ticket window no later than 30 minutes prior to our scheduled departure time. Seals, dolphins, porpoises and puffins are also often seen around the whales. Click here to view location 4 western avenue route 9, kennebunk, maine 04043. We believe strongly in protecting the whales we love and the many we know as individuals and by name. A whale watch in the ocean waters of new england is an unforgettable.
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. Yet, that is exactly what happened on a sunny afternoon in early june. Most take 34 hours, heading out to the major whale feeding grounds of stellwagen bank national marine sanctuary off massachusetts, jeffreys ledge, or the gulf of maine, depending on the port. These common names make it easier for the researchers to recognize and refer to specific whales when talking amongst themselves or to whale watch enthusiasts. The new england coast and particularly maine has a welldeserved reputation for its abundance of marine life. To help make ends meet, hes been leading nature tours instead of whale watching. Susan jane with captain jim parker or, with captain robertson aboard our vessel, the 32. Midapril brings the northern humpbacks, fin whales, the endangered north atlantic right whale and minke whales. 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. A vessel owned by bar harbor whale watch company, a member of noaa fisheries whale sense program, was. 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. The whale watching season in this area of maine and the entire eastern seaboard runs from spring time to the beginning of winter.
Times are tough for the travel community right now. First chance whale watch kennebunkport whale watching in maine. The inn on the wharfs boat tarquin seats 26 with inside and outside comfort. 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. Thankfully, you neednt venture to the other side of the. An archive of right whales news from the bangor daily news. 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. Join our captain as he sets course on a journey to view them in their own environment. Whale watching in maine is more than a spectator sport. First chance whale watch is the premier company for whale watch and scenic boat tours around the kennebunk and kennebunkport areas of maine. Let odyssey whale watch take you on an adventure you wont forget, great fun and educational for the entire family. Fourhour whale watching cruise for one, two, or four adults from cape ann whale watch up to 46% off.
Giant ocean creatures can be found 30 km 20 mi off the coast from midapril through late october. Oct 11, 2011 we saw two right north american right whales breaching off the coast of kennebunk, maine. Wells news center maine there was more to see than just waves at wells beach over the weekend beachgoers spotted a whale close to shore on sunday afternoon. Top 5 whalewatching spots in new england and atlantic.
Kandi leigh unlike the big whale watch boats, we offer a 6 person maximum trip so you wont be packed on with hundreds of other passengers. The granite state whale watch has two cruises each day, with the season running from june 15th to august 25th. He had never seen a right whale breach more than once. Check with the front desk for tour times and availability. Where can you find the best whale watching in maine. The best time for whale watching in massachusetts usa today. Bar harbor whale watching, maine whale tour companies. Around the year 1850, the emergence of crude oil caused interest in whale oil to plummet, and whale hunting became a part of history.
In addition to the standardissue whale watch trips, the company also offers sunset whale watches and puffin whale combination watches. Whale watching season in maine runs from may to october, allowing you plenty of time to take a tour. The mla has been working on this issue since 1997 when the atlantic large whale take reduction team trt was formed. Business fell 20%, forcing him to cut his season short.
It is sometimes possible to see a breaching whale, an errant flipper or a water spout from shore. Whale watching tours are offered all along the new england coast see below typically from may through october. Among the marine life are finback, humpback and minke whales. Our southern ocean waters are a year round whale watching destination,and there are many vantage points to watch from land as blue and southern right whales frolic in. United states whale watching maine or massachusetts. From bar harbor all the way down the coast of maine, whales can be seen cruising and frolicking throughout the summer. Our captains tour, which leaves from our wharf in lubec, will show you whales, share sea stories and visit seals, eagles and lighthouses. Maine whale watch turns into rescue new england boating.
Maine s 5,500 miles of coastline is rich in places to hunt for colorful sea glass. Maine whale watching tour pictures new england usa. 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. While wildlife watching is something visitors can enjoy throughout the state, here are two of maines most beloved wildlife and human life destinations. During spring, summer and fall these whales are found most often around the sloping sides of the banks and ledges of the gulf of maine, georges bank. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Nicks will cruise from kennebunkport to the summer feeding grounds of finbacks, humpbacks, minkes, the rare blue whale and the endangered right whale. A maine whale watching adventure awaits you aboard the odyssey. Frequently asked questions bar harbor whale watching. But your chances of seeing whales increase dramatically when you take a maine whale watching tour out into the gulf of maine and beyond. The best time for whale watching in massachusetts is from april to october, though whales dwell in bay state waters as. 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. Whale watching in bar harbor maine fodors travel talk. On a whale watching tour, you will be able to see these and possibly be able to view various species of sharks and giant tuna.
Over the past 20 years, maine lobstermen have implemented many measures to. First chance whale watch kennebunkport whale watching in. The odyssey boasts a naturalist on board and educational information is available. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. This 43foot dead whale was trucked through downtown portland.
Cape ann whale watch has been dazzling whale watching enthusiasts with sightseeing tours aboard the largest, fastest and most elegant whale watching vessel in massachusetts, north of boston, massachusetts aptly named the hurricane ii due to its immense size and speed as it. Killer whale a sight to see for maine fisherman portland. 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. Odyssey whale watch 170 commercial st, portland, maine 04101 rated 4. New england whale watch tours discover new england. The best time for whale watching in maine getaway usa. Maine lobstermens association whales maine lobstermen. The critically endangered mammal was spotted about 15 miles. The orca escorts a trawler in georges bank, rolling on its side to check out the captain and his boat. Whale watching in bar harbor maine on july 7, 2015 youtube. This part of the new england coasts contains the gulf of maine which is an important feeding ground for the species of whales who frequent the area. Whales love using maines waters as a summer playground, and some wonderful whale watching cruises in southern maine. Book a whale watching tour for your chance to witness these magnificent animals.
Acadian whale adventures bar harbor 2020 all you need. Whale watching in maine, kittery through portland whale. The boothbay harbor, maine, whale watching season typically begins in midapril as whales migrate north for their feeding season. Maine whale watching schedule aboard the odyssey, portland. All you have to do is relax, have your camera ready and enjoy the show. They also pass lighthouses on their quest and bay cruises at the wharf has u. Reservations can be made online or in person at our ticket booth. Book online or call today for a true maine adventure. The best time for whale watching in maine maine road trip. 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. Go here from your mobile device and click your account to create a user login. Bar harbor whale watching an experience of a lifetime in maine.
The gulf of maine and the region that encompasses acadia national park is rich with marine life. Since i went to hawaii last summer i missed the whale season so we decided to go whale watching this july. Your ultimate guide to the best maine whale watching trips. Whale watching in maine has long been a tourist favorite. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. For nature lovers, very little compares to the thrill of coming up close to these gentle giants of the sea. Ill be doing a cat balou vid soon, with close ups these whales were two or three kilometers away. Maines watchable wildlife discovering maines rugged beauty and amazing wildlife has been a tradition for hundreds of years. The majority of new sightings in the stellwagen bank area are made via the whale watch vessels that regularly visit the sanctuary and offer platforms for scientific study. Pristine streams flow from craggy mountains through magical pine forests, down to the bold and rocky coast. 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.
Wildlife watching in maine presents a world of diversity and endless opportunities for discovery and recreation. The north atlantic right whale sighting survey narwss is a noaa fisheries program which locates and records the seasonal distribution of north atlantic. Maine, like all of new englands coastal regions, has a long reputation as a fantastic fishery. When you put on vibrant coloured sneakers to come to a decision this summer season. Maines whale watching season kicks off in midapril, as ravenous whales arrive to feed just about 20 miles off the maine coast. Endangered whale spotted close to shore at wells beach. Whale watching in maine favorite spots new england today. Whale watching in maine, kittery through portland whale watches. United states whale watching in bar harbor maine my husband and i will be in bar harboracadia national park for a few days in mid july.