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Whale Watch Excursions...
Whale Watch Excursions...
WOW, this sure sounds like fun...
Annual whale watch excursions set to begin Saturday
By LYNN FREEHILL
Friday, February 8th 2008
ST. THOMAS - Hoping to match the excitement of last year's whale watches, when a boatload of nature lovers trailed a breaching humpback for more than two hours, the Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John again is hosting a series of the excursions around St. Thomas.
The all-day boat trips, an annual fundraiser for EAST, are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24, March 9 and March 23 aboard the Jolly Mon catamaran.
Several species of baline whales, including endangered humpbacks, migrate each year from the upper Atlantic Ocean to the warmer waters of the Caribbean Sea, primarily in February and March.
During the 2007 whale migration season, an EAST group was thrilled to spot a humpback off St. Thomas' North Side, near Hans Lollik, EAST president Carla Joseph said.
The whale breached over and over, throwing itself into the air and slamming back into the water with tremendous force. "It was such a euphoric, exciting time," Joseph said.
The giant mammals' size and grace make them an unforgettable sight, especially out in the wild, she said. "One of the things we appreciate about it is that these are in open water, in their natural habitat," she said. "They're very graceful. When they breach, it's like liquid. They just keep doing it over and over, and it's so fluid."
This year, humpbacks already have been spotted in separate sightings off the south side of St. John.
Tickets for the whale watches go on sale this weekend at Dockside Book Store and East End Secretarial Services on St. Thomas and from Connections on St. John.
On whale watch days, the boat departs at 8:30 a.m. from the National Park Dock in Red Hook. Participants should bring lunch, sunscreen, bathing suits and binoculars. Drinks and EAST T-shirts will be sold on board.
Even if the group doesn't spot a whale, a stop is usually made for snorkeling near an offshore cay, making the day a pleasant boat excursion.
For more information, call 774-1837 or 344-9075.
- Contact Lynn Freehill at 774-8772 ext. 311 or e-mail lfreehill@dailynews.vi.
Annual whale watch excursions set to begin Saturday
By LYNN FREEHILL
Friday, February 8th 2008
ST. THOMAS - Hoping to match the excitement of last year's whale watches, when a boatload of nature lovers trailed a breaching humpback for more than two hours, the Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John again is hosting a series of the excursions around St. Thomas.
The all-day boat trips, an annual fundraiser for EAST, are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 24, March 9 and March 23 aboard the Jolly Mon catamaran.
Several species of baline whales, including endangered humpbacks, migrate each year from the upper Atlantic Ocean to the warmer waters of the Caribbean Sea, primarily in February and March.
During the 2007 whale migration season, an EAST group was thrilled to spot a humpback off St. Thomas' North Side, near Hans Lollik, EAST president Carla Joseph said.
The whale breached over and over, throwing itself into the air and slamming back into the water with tremendous force. "It was such a euphoric, exciting time," Joseph said.
The giant mammals' size and grace make them an unforgettable sight, especially out in the wild, she said. "One of the things we appreciate about it is that these are in open water, in their natural habitat," she said. "They're very graceful. When they breach, it's like liquid. They just keep doing it over and over, and it's so fluid."
This year, humpbacks already have been spotted in separate sightings off the south side of St. John.
Tickets for the whale watches go on sale this weekend at Dockside Book Store and East End Secretarial Services on St. Thomas and from Connections on St. John.
On whale watch days, the boat departs at 8:30 a.m. from the National Park Dock in Red Hook. Participants should bring lunch, sunscreen, bathing suits and binoculars. Drinks and EAST T-shirts will be sold on board.
Even if the group doesn't spot a whale, a stop is usually made for snorkeling near an offshore cay, making the day a pleasant boat excursion.
For more information, call 774-1837 or 344-9075.
- Contact Lynn Freehill at 774-8772 ext. 311 or e-mail lfreehill@dailynews.vi.