Whale Watching ToursGoing on a Whale watching boat trip is not a very new phenomenon. It has been a very prized activity in all respects. Whale watching tours started being looked upon as an organized activity since the 1950s and it has proved to be an increasingly popular proposition among people from all corners of the world. Whale watching boat tours don't restrict themselves to watching whales only. Rather the term whale watching applies to the activity of watching whales and several similar cetaceans in their habitats. Cetaceans include, apart from whales, porpoises and dolphins. The earliest whales are thought to have descended from small bear-like animals. Whales are enormous in size compared to other mammals but at the same time, are also one of the biggest animals living today. There are over seventy- five different species of whales and each species has its own unique characteristics. Whale watching boat tours have become popular all over the world. There are special zones in the water bodies all round the globe that have become hot spots as tourist destinations, with the purpose of watching whales in their habitat. Needles to say it forms a life time experience to catch view of these sea giants moving about at their own will in the deep blue of the sea. Some of the most popular destinations known for their whale watching tours are California, San Diego, Maui, Hawaii, Kauai, Oregon, Baja, Monterey bay, and so many and so forth. The list is perhaps never exhausting. It is quite gettable from these locations that the whale watching tours have turned into a real global phenomenon. Whale watching is always very popular during the whale watching season. For example Maui whale watching tours will often stop both on the way to Molokini and on the way back to Makena beach to view Maui's magnificent Humpback whales in their natural habitat. Whale watching is an eagerly awaited wintertime activity up and down the California coast, and if you've ever been lucky enough to witness these graceful behemoths in the ocean, you'll understand why. Watch closely, and you might spot them performing a few classic moves: puffs of wet air spout 10-15 feet from their blowholes, and you might see "fluking," when their powerful split tails rise from the water in preparation for a dive. Whale watching is one of the fastest nature-based tourism activities in the world today. For example, Peninsula Valdes in Patagonia, Argentina supports one of the oldest and largest whale watching industries in the southern hemisphere. Whale watching is a non-consumptive use of whales with economic, recreational, educational and scientific dimensions. The economic benefits occur in areas where whale watching has quickly become a significant aspect of a local tourism economy. Whale watching is only a part of the overall experience of most tour operators, they usually offer many other activities. All activities offered are affected by the weather and may change. Whale watching is the most fun when you are close to the water and can experience them up close and personal as you will be able to do on rafts. A tour guide will explain the habits and migration routes taken by the whales. Whale watching is also available from the Reykjavik harbour. Whales are all around the coastline and, although whale watching in Iceland is growing in popularity, it is still far from being overly commercial. Whale watching is big business and was estimated to be directly worth $40 million a year in Australia last year. Much of the growth in Australian whale watching is land-based. Researchers have raised some concerns about the numbers of boats that follow and float among the pods as they feed, sleep, and play in Haro Strait for example. Whale watchers must follow federally mandated guidelines that protect the whales. Research has shown that whales are highly sensitive to engine noises. You should also be aware that during the mating season, males competing for females may engage in rough physical contact. Whale watching on a boat is one of the only places that you can see these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. While whale watching you are a "guest" visiting their natural environment, so you must consider every trip an expedition rather than a sightseeing excursion. Whale watching has, in fact, become a traditional winter activity in California. Whale watching in the San Juan Islands has become a $10 million industry in recent years. The Whale Museum estimates that annually more than 500,000 people go whale watching on commercial whale-watch boats in the transboundary waters of Washington and British Columbia. Blue and humpback whales: Can be found in the channel islands near Santa Barbara in summer, roughly June through Aug/Sep, if the food supply is good. Otherwise they may be farther north near Oregon. Blue whales are an endangered species. There are only about 10,000 worldwide with 2,200 of those off the California coast. However, in order to have the life time experience of this kind, one needs to plan one's trip very carefully. It is only too obvious that there are particular parts of the year when the whales can be best viewed in particular parts of the world. For instance, if you go over to the Hawaii islands for the purpose of watching whales, the ideal time to plan your schedules would be any time between December and April. This is the annual migration period of the sea giants which travel from Alaska to the Hawaii group of islands. It is popularly said that the whales form under-water orchestra that reverberates in the seas. The most famous of the lot in these parts of the world are the pacific humpback whales. Hence, the whale watching trips need to be planned in such a manner so that they synchronize with their migration periods. Monterey Bay forms a glorious exception in this regard. This particular site offers the option of whale watching trips all round the year. Besides the spectacular site of the whales that you can experience from the boat trips to watch whales, the wide array of sea birds will only add to your delight. The common types of whales that can be viewed from the boat trips to watch whales are the humpback whales, killer whales, blue whales among the other varieties. There are various kinds of whale watching tours from which you can choose the ideal one for you. There are shorter as well as longer duration trips, which come with their own sorts of specificities. In any case, these trips prove to be life time experiences in themselves. Below are some popular whale watching tour destinations. California Whale Watching Newport Landing's whale watching trips give you the best opportunity to view gray whales in their natural environment. Newport Landing is ideally positioned to take advantage of the annual Grey whale migration, which brings hundreds of Grey Whales along the Laguna Beach coastline and within minutes of Newport Harbor. Along with viewing Grey Whales you can expect to see dolphins, sea lions, and marine birds. Cruises are definitely the way to go if you're keen on seeing the gray whales in all their glory. Alternately, you can get a view from a number of different spots along the coast near San Diego. Cruises are educational and fun, offering children a chance to experience ocean wildlife firsthand. Look for cruises or trips that have trained naturalists or experienced captains narrating; they will provide the necessary context to the amazing experience of seeing the whales. Whale watching in Hawaii Whale watching in Hawaiian Islands is a marvelous experience for tourists, especially for those who love excitement and love getting close to the marvels and beauties of nature. If you are planning your trip to Hawaii, then ensure that whale watching Hawaii whale watching season is there in your must-do list. Whale watching in Hawaii is a wonderful family adventure. It is also a great educational experience for all members of the family. Whale watching in Hawaii is one of the most popular of all activities on the Big Island and the name of our home says it all. The expansive views from the Kohala Coast all the way to Kailua/Kona offer prime viewing in the winter months for spectacular sightings of the migrating whales. Alaska whale Watching Alaska whale watching is increasing at a rapid rate with tourists flocking in every year, to experience the thrills of Alaska's whale watching sport. Watching whales in Alaska, is a must-do thing which if you miss out, you will be missing something wonderfully spectacular and enthralling. Alaska whale watching aboard a private cruise. What could be better? Alaska whale watching tours are extremely common and reasonably priced. Offered a variety of options for those wishing to embark on a whale watching tour. Massachusetts Whale Watching Gloucester can be found on the south shore of the Cape Ann Peninsula, its location makes it a popular spot for whale watching in massachusetts. It is a very essential feeding area for the whales and you won't find any other place in New England that is as comparable to the place. Gloucester and other parts of Cape Ann are known for their spectacular rocky coast and white sandy beaches. This area is also well known for it's fishing industry, whale watching, it's rich history where many famous artists lived and painted, boating, biking and dining. |