The fertile waters of the North Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada attract thousands of whales during the summer months. These gentle giants head north to feed on the abundant fish and seal in these ice-strewn waters. The best way to come as close as possible to this mysterious world of whales is on a Newfoundland whale watching tour.
Close up with an Orca whale. Photo courtesy of O'Brien's Whale & Bird Tours. From May to September, the Atlantic whales return from the Caribbean to the colder waters around Newfoundland. Whale watching tours take spectators off-shore to see these giants feeding and playing in the bountiful waters.
Humpback, Fin, Minke and Killer whales are the most common close to shore as they feed on the fish in the shallow water. Pilot and Sperm whales (i.e. Moby Dick) are deep water dwellers and frequent the open ocean. These are rarely seen close to land as they feed on deep-water prey, namely squid.
Most Newfoundland whale watching tour operators are located across the eastern and southern shores of "The Rock". Tour boats are considered commercial vessels and are subjected to the rules and regulations of Transport Canada. Most tour companies use rigid-hull and inflatable Zodiac boats, the same ones used by the Coast Guard as rescue boats.
Tour operators are ecologists first and foremost and adhere to marine mammal guidelines. They stay a safe distance away, at least 50 meters, keep noise levels to a minimum and limit the time spent so as to not to get these ocean creatures habituated to humans.
On many occasions, whales and dolphins will come next to the stationary boat to investigate the human spectators! It's an amazing connection to look into an eye of another intelligent creature. It makes for lasting memories and amazing photos.
Whale watching tours are highly weather dependent and spectators should set aside an extra day just in case a sailing gets postponed. Tours last from 2 - 4 hours and usually provide full cold-water suits for protection from the wind, rain or even whale-spray.
The best chances for seeing whales is when the water is calm, making it easy to see the rear fin of a whale from a long distance away. If lucky, a playful humpback will breach the water as they drive their massive bodies clear of the water.
It's suggested that people call ahead to the tour operators to find out weather conditions, which whales are most abundant at that particular time of year and if the tour is scheduled to go that day.
What to Bring
Headgear - Bring sunglasses (and plenty of wipes) since the reflected sunlight off the water can be quiet bright. Sunscreen and a tight-fitting hat come in handy as well.
Clothing - Dress in layers so you can add or subtract layers as dictated by the weather. Also, you'll be travelling in salt-water so wear clothing that can get damp with ocean watter. Gloves may come in handy as well.
Cameras - Put cameras and camcorders in a plastic bag and then into a backpack. Avoid loose camera bags (or handbags & purses for that matter) as these can be easily lost overboard.
Miscellaneous Tips - Just in case the whales are finicky that day and a sighting is missed, most tour operators allow spectators to come back on another day to try again (most don't offer refunds). Allow for enough time on your vacation just in case you have to repeat the tour the next day (without paying again).
Newfoundland whale watching tour is an excellent introduction to "The Rock", the ocean and all of its intelligent creatures.
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