My Review of Our October 9th Offshore Whale-Watching Trip

My Review of Our October 9th Offshore Whale-Watching Trip – Jersey Shore Whale Watch

Words cannot express how incredible today’s offshore trip was! As the owner of Jersey Shore Whale Watch, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience countless moments on the ocean, but today’s adventure was truly something special. We headed about 40 miles offshore into deeper waters, and what we encountered was beyond what any of us could have imagined.

Our day started early with a stunning sunrise over the ocean—an experience in itself. If you’ve never seen the sun come up while being far out at sea, it’s truly a sight to behold. The way the light dances off the calm waves, combined with the anticipation of what’s to come, is a feeling that never gets old. The ocean was remarkably calm, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. It was one of those days where you’re reminded how lucky we are to be out on the water.

We were hoping for some exciting encounters, but the reality far surpassed our expectations. Over the course of the trip, we saw **13 humpback whales**, including three mother-and-calf pairs. Witnessing the whales breach, slap their flippers, and wave their tails is always breathtaking, but having them come right up to the boat, close enough to hear the roar of their breaths, was absolutely surreal. That’s an experience that stays with you long after the trip is over.

And the magic didn’t stop there. Not only did we see all these whales, but we also spotted **three sea turtles**! We had two loggerhead turtles make an appearance, but the real highlight was spotting our first **leatherback turtle**. For many of us, seeing a leatherback was a first, and it’s something I’ll never forget. There’s something incredibly awe-inspiring about seeing these ancient creatures gliding through the water.

On top of the whales and turtles, we were treated to sightings of numerous pelagic birds that you just don’t see closer to shore. Watching the birds soar and dive around us added another layer of beauty to the day, and we even spotted **tuna** jumping while we were whale watching. That had the crew and I thinking—we might just have to offer a tuna trip out here in the future!

Due to the overwhelming success and incredible sightings on this trip, we’ve decided to add more **offshore trips** to the schedule, and I couldn’t be more excited about it. These trips will now be extended to **12 hours**, giving us even more time to explore these deep offshore waters and increase our chances of spotting even more amazing wildlife. Our upcoming offshore trips are scheduled for **October 21 and November 4**, and we’re working on adding a weekend trip in November as well. We’ve been so lucky with the warm waters out there—still around 70°F—so despite the crisp fall mornings, you won’t be freezing. Plus, our heated cabin provides a cozy spot to warm up after being outside in the morning chill.

While today’s trip focused on whales, sea turtles, and birds, the sight of those jumping tuna has me seriously considering offering a specialized **tuna trip** in the near future. These trips would be a bit longer, around **18 hours**, and would allow us to focus specifically on the tuna that inhabit these deeper waters. It’s an exciting possibility, and if we do move forward with it, the cost would likely be around $400 per person. Stay tuned for more details if that sounds like something you’d be interested in!

Unfortunately, due to some upcoming wind and weather conditions, we’ve had to cancel our scheduled canyon trip, but I’m so grateful we were able to get today’s trip out last minute. The ocean continues to amaze me every time, and days like today are why I love what I do.

I also want to take a moment to mention that **all of our whale-watching is done following Whale SENSE safe whale-watching guidelines**. The close encounters we experienced today were because the whales chose to approach our boat while we were in neutral, allowing them to move freely. Our goal is always to ensure a safe and respectful environment for these incredible creatures, and that’s something we take very seriously.

If you weren’t able to join us today, I really hope to see you on one of our upcoming offshore trips. Whether you’re a seasoned whale watcher or it’s your first time, there’s something truly magical about being out on the water and experiencing these moments with nature.

Thank you to everyone who joined us today—it’s days like these that remind me why I love what I do, and I can’t wait to share more unforgettable trips with you all.

#NJWhales #OffshoreWhaleWatching #HumpbackWhale #LeatherbackTurtle #JSW #FallWhaleWatching #WhaleSENSE

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This review can be shared across platforms and highlights the amazing trip, future plans, and respect for wildlife!

 

james gave me the bird list we saw

What a terrific day it was today with Jersey Shore Whale Watch for their “last minute” Offshore Birds, Whales, and Marine Life Expedition

Bird Count: October 9, 2024
* Double Crested Cormorant
* Herring Gull
* Great Black-Backed Gull
* Laughing Gull
* Great Blue Heron
* Black-Crowned Night Heron
* Yellow-Crowned Night Heron
* Ring-Billed Gull
* Northern Gannet
* Greater Shearwater
* Cory’s Shearwater
* Lesser Black-Backed Gull
* Dunlin
* House wren
* Osprey

Marine Life
* Humpback whale
* Loggerhead Sea Turtle
* Leatherback Sea Turtle
* Yellowfin Tuna
* Mauve Stingers

PS- Thank you, Sandy Sawicki for sharing the amazing video/photo of the breaching whale from today