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Message |
    
janeste
Citizen
Username: Janeste
Post Number: 109
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, May 22, 2006 - 10:17 pm: | 
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My son wants to go whale watching for his birthday (bringing along one friend), in lieu of a party.
I found three outfits that run whale-watching trips in the Cape May area. The boats they take seem to go from huge to huger. Wondering whether anyone here has gone on any of those trips and whether it was worth it (time- and experience-wise; the price isn't bad). If so, do you remember which group you went with? Does anyone know of any alternatives to the larger whale watching outfits? If you went, did you actually see whales? Also, is it at all possible to get down there and back in one day, or should we plan on spending the night? Thanks in advance. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5126
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:57 am: |
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My sister and brother in law take my nephews to the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center (609.898.0055). There is a coupon in the Entertainment Book, which should save you some money. They saw dolpins and I think one whale; but it was due to something with the way the tides were. You need to call ahead to make sure when it's the best time to go. My sister think's it's too cold now. It is possible to do the trip in one day; but they left from Toms River. |
GSP142
Citizen
Username: Gsp142
Post Number: 121
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 11:15 am: |
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Travelling from this area, I think an overnight stay would definitely be a good idea, and I agree with Just the Aunt that you might want to call and find out what time of year is best for having a chance to actually see whales. If you can go mid-week, you might find more availability and more reasonable rates in the Cape May area. |
MeAndTheBoys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 3806
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 11:24 am: |
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Traveling from this area you can make the trip there in 2.5 hours if it's during the week, during the off-season, not during rush hour. So, if you plan to leave here around 9, you can get there between 11 and 12, take your boat trip, check out a little bit of Cape May, grab some dinner, leave there by about 5 or 6 and be home by bed time.
We took the boat JTA suggests last August and saw plenty of dolphins, but no whales. But it wasn't billed as a whale watching trip. I think there are only certain times of the year when whales are migrating, so I would also suggest you call the folks that run the boat directly and ask them what the timing would be. This boat also serves food (pizza, hot dogs, chips, soda) on some of its trips, so you could possibly get lunch on the boat. |
mrmaplewood
Citizen
Username: Mrmaplewood
Post Number: 349
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 1:19 pm: |
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Does anybody know the best season for whale watching arond here? |
John Caffrey
Citizen
Username: Jerseyjack
Post Number: 248
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 7:34 pm: |
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I believe it is around August.
Call the center and ask.
While visiting Cape May, also check out the lighthouse. Kids can climb it and wear themselves out. Then the trip back home won't be so bad.
JC |
papayagirl
Citizen
Username: Papayagirl
Post Number: 556
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:39 pm: |
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We went whale watching in boston a few years ago when we were there for a college graduation, so it was right around this time. We didn't see any whales. But people who'd done it before said they saw tons, so it really does matter when you go. Definitely call. |
janeste
Citizen
Username: Janeste
Post Number: 110
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, May 23, 2006 - 9:59 pm: |
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Thanks, everyone. I called the place recommended above, and they haven't seen whales yet this season (though they have seen dolphins). They said that they are more and more likely to see whales as the summer progresses. So I think we'll go for Plan B (whatever that is) for the birthday celebration and save the whales for August. |
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