Opening day at Jersey Shore Whale Watch was an adventure to remember! Despite the cool, grey weather with a chance of showers, a spirited group gathered, eager to start the season. My day began humorously as I was anointed by a seagull—a sign of good luck, they say!
As we cruised north, anticipation built until Danielle, our knowledgeable naturalist, spotted a whale before we reached Long Branch. We watched eagerly for its reappearance, but it remained elusive. Pushing further north, our persistence paid off. Near Long Branch, we were thrilled to witness a whale tail thrashing and lunge feeding close to the shore. The excitement was palpable—it could have been the same whale Danielle initially spotted.
The show continued with the whale breaching magnificently three times in front of our boat, much to everyone’s amazement. The mystery deepened as we speculated whether we were seeing one or two whales. Soon enough, we discovered it was two; one performed energetically ahead, while another glided gracefully right beside us, rolling over to reveal its flippers. The captain wisely kept the boat in neutral to ensure the whale’s safety, giving those at the front a spectacular view.
Passengers got some awesome photos, and also got to see bubble net feeding!
Amid more lunge feeding and tail thrashing, our aquatic friend seemed to perform just for us. As our journey neared its end, we didn’t have to venture far back. Although Danielle pointed out some dolphins, I stayed focused on the whales, not wanting to miss a moment.
For many, it was their first time on the ocean or whale watching, including passengers who had just arrived from India. What a splendid welcome they received! They, along with everyone else, thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
The season is off to a fantastic start—today’s adventure has certainly set the bar high. Until next time…
Linda Ulak
About last summer
