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Revenue managementDynamic pricingChannel managementOTA managementBooking.com managementListing optimizationVacation rental marketingThree to five hours cruising the waters off Cape May — spot dolphins, migratory whales, and diverse birdlife with an educational marine biologist onboard.
This eco-tour cruise typically lasts between three and five hours, covering a distance of 3 to 15 miles offshore from Cape May. You'll have the chance to spot Coastal Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins and migratory Baleen Whales, including Humpback, Fin, Minke, or critically endangered Right Whales. The onboard marine biologist provides insights that enhance your understanding of the local marine ecosystem.
Research interns also facilitate interactive sessions with a touch-tank showcasing live sea creatures, adding an engaging educational layer to the experience. Birdwatchers can look forward to sightings of various seabird species, including American Bald Eagles, Ospreys, and Brown Pelicans, along with seasonal visitors. Remember to bring sunglasses and sunscreen, as you'll be spending several hours on the open water.
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Reviews
Initially, we joined the trip with low expectations, thinking we wouldn't see any animals in December. However, learning it was a guaranteed mammal trip focused on research exceeded our hopes. We anticipated seeing just dolphins, which would have been fine. To our delight, we spotted over twenty humpback whales, and it was an incredible experience. This trip is definitely worth repeating in the Spring. I highly recommend this adventure to anyone interested in whale watching, especially being so close to shore. We were amazed to discover we could see whales just hours from home instead of in Alaska. Thank you!
The crew was incredibly knowledgeable and we experienced two Humpback sightings along with two pods of dolphins. It was a fantastic time. They provided drinks and snacks, and when my High Noon fell overboard, we shared a laugh and they replaced it at no extra cost.
Our cruise was thrilling! We saw three types of whales, numerous spouts, flukes, a dorsal fin slap, and whales surfacing, along with playful dolphins and various pelicans. The boat was clean and roomy with four restrooms. This tour emphasizes wildlife and education, and I highly recommend it.
The guides are outstanding and very knowledgeable, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Whether in the air or on the water, it was a truly wonderful experience.
We had a fantastic time on our wildlife tour, spotting three different whales. Our guide provided insights on how to recognize signs of whale activity, making us feel confident they were nearby. The experience was remarkable! Additionally, we encountered dolphins, various birds, and other fish. Overall, it was a delightful cruise.
Having lived in New York and gone whale watching there, I was eager to experience a different location, so I seized the opportunity for a 12-hour pelagic trip with Cape May Whale Watch in late March. It was an excellent outing for both bird enthusiasts and marine mammal lovers. Before dawn fully broke, we were treated to a flock of Northern Gannets flying over the boat, along with a few sightings of a minke whale. Later, we encountered a large group of gannets that allowed for close-up views, resulting in my best photo of one yet. Then, we found ourselves in what felt like "whale soup," as two humpbacks spent time near our boat. While observing them, we spotted more spouts in the distance, including another humpback on our starboard and a fin whale directly ahead, offering lovely views, including a stunning "rainblow." As the day progressed, we enjoyed additional bird sightings, such as a sooty shearwater, which I learned was quite rare for this time of year, and one of my personal highlights: an Atlantic Puffin! Though it was just a small black shape on the waves, capturing photos of it was truly exciting, even if I missed other sightings. In the late afternoon, a large group of short-beaked common dolphins appeared seemingly out of nowhere, multiplying in numbers as they rode our bow waves, thrilling everyone on board as they zipped back and forth under the boat. Extended pelagic trips in the waters off NJ and NY can be unpredictable. They are definitely not for those without ocean experience, as they require endurance for a long day, and March weather can be cold and windy with choppy seas. There was also some downtime between sightings. However, we had the chance to observe a fantastic array of marine mammals and seabirds, making it a wonderful experience to be on the water in the sun after a tough winter. I’m very glad I made the long trek to Cape May.
The boat ride was an excellent experience. The crew was knowledgeable and friendly, and the parking process was convenient with help from a staff member. Although we didn't spot any whales, we did see plenty of dolphins and birds. The seating was comfortable, and there was shade available on the lower deck.
Be sure to bring a sweater, as it gets chilly further out in the ocean. Highly recommend this experience.
The ocean ride was truly enjoyable. The captain expertly maneuvered around the dolphins. Although we didn't spot any whales, that's just how nature is. The crew was knowledgeable and courteous.
We saw many dolphins and even a shark, though there were no whales. The naturalists were friendly and quite knowledgeable. It was a good time overall.
Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.
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