Whale watching in the US

[Tracy in WI]

I'm all done with the Tattoo talk and looking for help on a completely innocent subject (I HOPE!!!).

Here goes,,

I volunteer for Make A Wish and I have a cute little guy who wants to see whales and sharks. Being from good ol' Wisconsin, we don't see too many of those here in our waterways.

He will need to stay in the US, but can go to Hawaii. He also needs to travel over his winter break, spring break or maybe summer break.

Any ideas or suggestions for his family on where he might be able to see some whales in the US during those time frames? I thought about Monterey, CA because I have been to their Aqaurium before and know he would then see some sharks too.

Other ideas??

Thanks so much! He really is a cute little guy and you would be helping make his wish come true!!

[chicagoans]

Winter is whale-watching time in Hawaii; I think the season is December - March. We had a great trip in January '07 with the Pacific Whale Foundation. www.pacificwhale.org There are a few outfits in Maui, but this one is very involved with conservation efforts so I went with them.

As you know, any trip can be hit or miss. We happened to luck out and see some wily females showing off for some amorous males. But even so, it got to be a long and hot boat ride for the kids, (8 and 10 at the time.)

Good for you volunteering for Make A Wish! I'm sure it's very rewarding.

[chicagoans]

PS -- If they decide to go to Maui, I've only been once but did a fair amount of research before going. I'd be happy to point you to some websites and books that I found really helpful. Our activities were geared to hikes etc. that we could do with the kids.

Also, how old is the little guy? And with medication, etc., is there more of a risk of sea-sickness? I can give my kids Bonine, but your friend might have some restrictions on things like that. Once you're on a boat trip, well you're pretty stuck with their schedule.

[DELETED]

DELETED

[California Girl]

It's whale watching season in So. California! There are many tours out of Dana Point (my locale...don't know about up north).

This is from the website link below:

Whale Watch 2008
Sightings log since Dec. 4-April 30

Gray whales - 374
Minke whales - 9
Fin whales - 28
Humpback - 2


Dana Point is ideally located and is said to be a reference landmark for the Whales by many ocean naturalists. Our captains are very experienced, and will educate you on the whales and dolphins.

http://www.danawharfsportfishing.com/whalewatch.html

I also cast a vote for the Monterey Aquarium. I've been there several times and can't wait to go again! It's the MOST AWESOME aquarium I've ever seen!

[Teddy Salad]

When we were in Kauai in February of 2000 we saw whales just about any time we looked out at the ocean, didn't even have to go in a boat. That was nice because my wife gets seasick on a pond. When we went in January of 2002 we didn't see any. It may vary from year to year, but from our experience, February is the peak.

Kudos for your volunteer work.

[Lex]

That's a real good thing that you do. There are whales off the coast of Massachusetts from spring through fall. Whale watch boats go out from Boston and Provincetown (on the tip of Cape Cod)from late spring through early fall. We've gone out numerous times over the years. It's quite remarkable to see whales. Summer is most comfortable time to go. The boats go out a ways and it can be pretty chilly early or late in the season. You never know what you're going to see. Some trips we've seen a lot of very active whales, other trips we've only seen a few that weren't too active.

[Tracy in WI]

Thanks for all your replies thus far - I really appreciate it. This particular wish child is only 4 so they will need to take that into consideration when planning for him.

I have truly enjoyed my volunteer work with Make A Wish - it is an honor to work with the families and children - I get just as much out of it as they do so it might be a bit selfish!!

[augie]

The best whale watching I've ever done was in Alaska in June.

Being from Florida, I also couldn't get over seeing snow capped mountain peaks all around.

Since this little guy is from Wisconsin he may have seen enough snow for this year already!

If it was me, I'd take Margo's Dana Point suggestion, but they're all good ones.

Actually, if it was for me, I'd use that as an excuse to go to Dominica again, but that's out of bounds for this trip.

What a great thing you're involved with!

[Kathyzhere]

Hi Tracy,

I can vouch for the New England area of Georges Bank for fantastic whale watching, during the Summer months though. From my "sometimes missed" home of Cape Cod & the islands up to Nova Scotia is the Summer waters for the humpback, sperm and pilot. If you were to come to Mass; Lex has it right for the whale boat excursion areas but add Barnstable Harbor for the Cape as well as P-Town.
If I could afford to I would meet you and the lil' guy there and be your personal tour guide.

Chatham Harbor is full of seals that are absolutely adorable too. Can't help you out with sharks though. Oh, I remember hearing that there was a great white spotted in Falmouth I think last year...
Anyway, CG's suggestions sounds perfect too and probably closer for you for traveling.
Although if you have never been out to New ENgland it's a MUST for sure.

You're impressing me...you sound very down to earth, adventurous AND generous.
I try to be generous with wildlife and animals...maybe children need me as well

Take care,
Kathy

Hey Augie,
Dominica is on my "list"! I'd love to hear about it sometime from your perspective. My hair stylist was born there but moved and grew up on St Maarten mostly. So I do get her to talk about it sometimes. Did you visit via ship or land based?

Enjoy...