MTMS Eco Explorers Set Sail for a Whale-Watching Adventure with Jersey Shore Whale Watch

🐋 MTMS Eco Explorers Set Sail for a Whale-Watching Adventure with Jersey Shore Whale Watch

Belmar, NJ — October 17, 2025

It was an unforgettable day on the ocean for the Manchester Township Middle School Eco Explorers Club, who joined the crew of the Jersey Girl for an educational whale-watching trip along the Jersey Shore coastline. Nearly forty students and teachers set sail under blue skies, eager to spot marine wildlife and connect classroom science lessons to real-world ocean experiences.

Guided by our professional naturalist — a Monmouth University marine-biology graduate — and the experienced Jersey Shore Whale Watch crew, students learned about New Jersey’s marine ecosystems, migration patterns, and conservation efforts during their three-hour voyage.

The adventure started strong when a bald eagle soared overhead as the boat left the Belmar Inlet. Excitement grew as students spotted a sea turtle gliding at the surface and the distant shimmer of the New York City skyline. On the return south, the trip reached its highlight: a large pod of dolphins, about a dozen strong, surrounded the boat, leaping through the waves while students cheered and snapped photos. Our naturalist explained that dolphins can actually hear the excitement through the water — making this a truly interactive ocean encounter!

The trip, supported by grant funding from the New Jersey Education Association and the New York Giants, brought the Eco Explorers’ science curriculum to life. Teachers Susan Morgan, Kristine Laporte, and Michael Balog organized the experience to give their students hands-on exposure to coastal ecology, climate science, and the importance of marine protection.

At Jersey Shore Whale Watch, we’re proud to partner with schools across New Jersey to create memorable STEM-based eco tours that inspire the next generation of marine stewards.

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🏫 Plan an Eco-Tour for Your School

We’re now booking fall 2025 and spring 2026 school whale-watching adventures aboard the Jersey Girl. These three-hour educational trips are tailored for grades 5 through 12 and align with STEM and environmental-science standards.

The typical cost is about $32 per student, and many schools offset expenses through PTA support, education-foundation mini-grants, or local business sponsorships. A few community partners or parents chipping in can make an entire class trip possible — and unforgettable.

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📞 Contact Us

To reserve your school’s date or request a quote, call 732-592-6400, email [email protected], or visit WhaleWatchNJ.com for details, photos, and educational resources.

Come see why New Jersey teachers say a day aboard the Jersey Girl is “the best field trip of the year.”