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Cape Cod Whale Watching – Migration from Plymouth to Provincetown
Watching
Cape Cod's majestic whales rise from the deep and nuzzle alongside
a whale watch boat is an exciting and awe-inspiring adventure.
Whale watching crews leave regularly from Plymouth, Barnstable
and Provincetown Harbors, and most guarantee a sighting. No
matter where you embark, your cruise will take you to Stellwagen
Bank National Marine Sanctuary, the whales' favorite feeding
grounds. Each year, beginning in late winter, whales return
to The Sanctuary, which encompasses over 600 square nautical
miles, about 26 miles east of Boston, 6 miles north of Race
Point and 7 miles from Gloucester. Because the water is shallow
here, plankton upon which whales feed rises closer to the
surface.
Whale Watching With Naturalists
During your excursion, naturalists will help you spot, identify
and learn more about these gentle giants. You are likely to
see humpback, finback and minke whales, and words cannot describe
the thrill and awe associated with each sighting. You may
see whales breaching (leaping straight out of the water into
the air), spyhopping (holding their heads high out of the
water as if having a look around) or sounding (executing a
dive). Sometimes, a whale will slap the water with its flippers
as if greeting you.
Cape Cod Whale Watch Cruises
Highlight your Cape Cod vacation with an unforgettable cruise
aboard the Mid-Cape's only whale watch - Hyannis Whale
Watch Cruises (800-287-0374). Their high-speed, state-of-the-art
vessel sails daily - May through October - from picturesque
Barnstable Harbor in historic Barnstable Village, Cape Cod.
Enjoy summer sunset whale watches, expert commentary from
on-board naturalists, private charters, and special discount
rates for groups and seniors. The company also supports a
full-time year-round education program including activities
on the water and in schools, parks, camps, libraries, and
community centers.
Six miles north of Provincetown, Stellwagen Bank is the feeding
ground for the humpback whale, minke whale, and fin whale,
the three most commonly seen cetaceans. The North Atlantic
right whale - the most endangered of the world's great whales
- once found in Cape Cod Bay in huge numbers but now fewer
than 350 - may also be seen in these waters. Provincetown
is the closest port to this densely populated area than any
other port, making it an ideal whale watching departure point.
You can board one of the whale watching boats in the harbor
from the Dolphin Fleet and Portuguese Princess Excursions
for a 3-hour whale watch into the waters of Stellwagen Bank.
Dolphin Fleet (508-349-1900) is the originator
of whale watching on the East Coast and operates the largest
fleet in the country. Portuguese Princess Excursions is another
pioneer in whale watching, operating whale watches out of
Provincetown for over 15 years, with captains that are well-experienced.
On both whale watches, experienced naturalists will introduce
you to the diverse marine environment that you'll be traveling
through. They will answer questions, interpret the whale behavior
that you see in the water, and help you to understand the
larger picture of what you're seeing - from whales to lighthouses
to birds. The Portuguese Princess II and Dolphin Fleet are
fast, modern, well-maintained and comfortable whale watching
boats with stocked galleys.
For the last 57 years, Capt. John Boats (508-746-2643)
has offered 4-hour Whale Watching Trips, multi-day Deep Sea
Fishing excursions, Pilgrim Belle Paddlewheeler Cruises aboard
an authentic Mississippi-style paddlewheeler, Splashdown Amphibious
Tours, and the Plymouth to Provincetown Ferry, to summertime
visitors. You're likely to spot the endangered humpback whales
during a Boston Harbor Cruises Whale Watch. These Northern
hemisphere humpbacks reach an average length of 50 feet, and
a weight of about 37 tons! Sadly, only 8% of their original
population remains. |
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