Best Whale Watch

[PollyannaMom]

Has anyone done a whale watch out of Boston or points south of Boston?

If so, which one is the best as far as sightings, cost, etc.?

Thanks!

 

[pam66]

I can't speak to which has the best price, but all the whale watching boats go to the same area. They go to Stellwagon Bank off of Provincetown. It's the feeding grounds for the whales.

I've been on the whale watch that sails out of Barnstable Harbor on Cape Cod and had a great time.

I've also sailed out of Provincetown years ago and that was great too!

If you don't want a long boat ride Provincetown is the closest to the whale feeding area, I believe.


Hope this helps

 

[kirbydog48]

Actually, Stellwagen Bank extends from Provincetown up to Cape Ann; there are excursions out of Gloucester and Salem as well.

 

[pam66]

Oooops...... sorry.... didn't double check my facts

 

[KSchwagg86]

Provincetown! I have been on about 5 there and only one of them wasn't so great--the rest were incredible!

 

[PollyannaMom]

Thanks everyone. We ended up going out of Plymouth, so as not to deal with traffic in Boston, and saw a lot!

If anyone else is reading this because you are also thinking of going, here are my thoughts now that I've been:

1) The web site was very big on jackets/layers. - Maybe it was just hot yesterday, but we never took ours out of the bag. We were glad we listened about bringing sunscreen, though.

2) Food was not unreasonable, but you were allowed to bring your own, which we didn't realize.

3) The boat ride out TO the whale area can seem long for kids. If you're not feeling creative, it's a good idea to bring something for them to do while waiting.

4) Bottom vs. top level of boat - more shade on the bottom, but harder to hear announcements over the speaker do to engine noise. Side views are fine from either level. The bottom of our particular boat did have an especially good, though small, viewing area right in front, where you could see to either side. (I noticed this is where the 2nd and 3rd timers with the really big camera lenses went.)

5) If you are going out of Plymouth, there is a very reasonable 10-hour parking lot behind the restaurants/shops near the wharf. (The on-street meters are only 4 hours.) You pay ahead at a machine, and display the slip in your window.

 

[Darsa]

I grew up in Plymouth and did lots of Whale Watches from there. Good to know it's still fun

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Thanks everyone. We ended up going out of Plymouth, so as not to deal with traffic in Boston, and saw a lot!

If anyone else is reading this because you are also thinking of going, here are my thoughts now that I've been:

1) The web site was very big on jackets/layers. - Maybe it was just hot yesterday, but we never took ours out of the bag. We were glad we listened about bringing sunscreen, though.

2) Food was not unreasonable, but you were allowed to bring your own, which we didn't realize.

3) The boat ride out TO the whale area can seem long for kids. If you're not feeling creative, it's a good idea to bring something for them to do while waiting.

4) Bottom vs. top level of boat - more shade on the bottom, but harder to hear announcements over the speaker do to engine noise. Side views are fine from either level. The bottom of our particular boat did have an especially good, though small, viewing area right in front, where you could see to either side. (I noticed this is where the 2nd and 3rd timers with the really big camera lenses went.)

5) If you are going out of Plymouth, there is a very reasonable 10-hour parking lot behind the restaurants/shops near the wharf. (The on-street meters are only 4 hours.) You pay ahead at a machine, and display the slip in your window.

And if you're going out of Plymouth you NEED to stop at Cupcake Charlies at the end for cupcakes. OMG, those are the best cupcakes in the world!!! I brought them to my cousin's house last week and her very reserved husband said "Wow, I'm really glad we don't live in Plymouth!" I guess you have to know him because it was really funny.