Epic Day Offshore on the *Jersey Girl* – November 4, 2024

**An Epic Day Offshore on the *Jersey Girl* – November 4, 2024**

Wow, what a day! November 4, 2024, will be one for the books—our offshore pelagic trip was an unforgettable experience for everyone, including me. And thank you to everyone who made it even more special with birthday wishes and that surprise cake. I truly had no idea! It was such a thoughtful gesture, and sharing it with all of you made it a birthday to remember.

I can’t tell you how much I love bringing people out on these rare, deep-sea trips. Planning each one is a labor of love, from picking the date, mapping out the route, and setting an affordable price so as many of you as possible can join. These 12-hour journeys are truly unique, and we only get to do them a few times a year. There’s nothing like heading out in the early morning, watching the sun rise over the ocean, and feeling the excitement build as we venture into deeper waters to encounter some of the ocean’s biggest wonders.

This trip was packed with incredible wildlife. We saw 19 species of birds—including some rare finds—thanks to chumming, where we throw a mix of feed into the water to attract all kinds of seabirds. Watching them flock around us, along with the rarer species that joined in, was amazing. It’s these moments that make birdwatching offshore so special, and I love seeing the excitement on everyone’s faces as they catch sight of these rare birds.

But the highlight of the day had to be the whales. We encountered 12 unique humpbacks, and they were in rare form! These weren’t distant sightings; they came right up to the *Jersey Girl*, spraying us, rolling, and almost putting on a show. Some of these whales, familiar visitors from Stellwagen Bank up north, seemed to recognize our boat, “mugging” us as if they wanted to be close to the action. The joy and awe that filled the boat as these giants came up close was just fantastic. Moments like these remind me why I love what I do.

Thank you to everyone who came out and shared this incredible experience with us. It’s a privilege to bring people out to witness nature like this, and seeing your excitement makes it all worthwhile. Even though these trips are just about break-even for us, we keep doing them because they’re so meaningful. We’re already planning a few more for next year, including a massive 18-20 hour trip out to Hudson Canyon. So, if you’re ready for more adventure, get your name on the list early—we’d love to have you join us.

And once again, thank you all for the birthday wishes and the surprise cake. It was such a wonderful gesture, and I’m grateful to have spent my special day out on the water with so many amazing people. Looking forward to seeing you all on the next trip!

—Bill McKim and the crew of the *Jersey Girl*, Jersey Shore Whale Watch