The Story of the Jersey Girl

A Gulf-Built Commercial Passenger Vessel Designed for the Ocean

The Jersey Girl is not a typical sightseeing boat. She was built in
1994 by Breaux Brothers Shipyard in Louisiana, a yard known throughout
the marine industry for building rugged aluminum commercial vessels designed to work in
demanding offshore environments.

Before becoming one of the premier whale-watching vessels on the East Coast, the boat
originally operated in Florida under the name Blue Heron 101, where she
was used as a large offshore drift fishing boat.

That heritage still defines the vessel today. Unlike many tour boats designed primarily
for harbor sightseeing, the Jersey Girl was built for
open ocean work, passenger circulation, and long days on the water.

Built for the Water, Not the Dock

Breaux Brothers built vessels for industries where reliability matters, including
oilfield crew boats, offshore support vessels, and large passenger fishing boats.
These boats were designed to be:

• Strong yet lightweight aluminum
• Fast and efficient
• Stable in offshore conditions
• Easy to operate commercially
• Built around usable deck space

That philosophy makes the Jersey Girl uniquely suited for
whale watching along the New Jersey coast.

Why the Jersey Girl Has So Much Outdoor Deck Space

Many passenger boats built in the Northeast prioritize
larger indoor seating areas because of colder weather.

But the Jersey Girl was originally designed for
Florida fishing conditions, where anglers spend most of their time
outdoors along the rail. That design created something very special.

The Jersey Girl has extraordinarily large outdoor deck space,
allowing passengers to move freely around the boat without crowding. Guests can comfortably
walk past people standing at the rail, and the wide decks offer accessibility that is rare
on boats of this type.

In fact, the Jersey Girl offers more usable outdoor viewing space than any
whale-watching boat in the New York City metro area.

And that matters, because whale watching is an outdoor adventure.

Designed for Passenger Movement

One of the first things visitors notice about the boat is how easy it is to move around.
The vessel features:

• Wide walk-around decks
• Open viewing areas
• Unobstructed rail space
• Multiple viewing levels
• Large outdoor seating areas

Passengers are never confined to a small viewing area. Whether you prefer the rail,
a bench seat, or the upper deck, there is always space to enjoy the ocean.

This design is especially valuable when whales appear around the boat. Guests can quickly
move to the best viewing area without congestion.

Comforts On Board

While the Jersey Girl is built for the outdoors, she also offers the
onboard comforts that make a day on the water easier and more enjoyable.

• Indoor bathrooms for passenger convenience
• An onboard snack bar for drinks and refreshments
• A bar area that adds to the fun and relaxed atmosphere on select trips
• Indoor cabin seating when you want a break from the sun, breeze, or cooler weather

That balance of huge outdoor deck space and
practical indoor amenities is one of the reasons so many guests love the
Jersey Girl.

A True Ocean-Going Vessel

The Jersey Girl measures over 100 feet long and nearly
24 feet wide, giving her a large, stable platform for ocean excursions.

She is powered by three commercial marine engines, allowing strong
maneuverability and reliable offshore performance.

Unlike smaller boats, the Jersey Girl was built to operate safely and
comfortably in the open waters of the New York Bight, the productive
marine ecosystem between New Jersey and New York where humpback whales frequently feed.

Built for Adventure

Today the Jersey Girl carries on the same mission she was built for:
bringing people out onto the ocean.

Guests join us for:

• Whale watching
• Dolphin sightings
• Sunset cruises
• Shark and ocean wildlife trips
• Offshore adventures

But the core experience remains the same as when she was first launched decades ago:
a working ocean vessel designed to give people space, fresh air, and an unforgettable day at sea.

Why Passengers Love the Jersey Girl

Visitors often tell us the same thing after their first trip:
“I can’t believe how much room there is on this boat.”

That space means:

• Better whale viewing
• More comfort
• Easier movement
• Less crowding
• A more authentic ocean experience

And when the whales appear, there is room for everyone to enjoy the moment.

Join Us on the Ocean

From her beginnings as a Florida drift fishing boat to her role today as one of the most
recognized whale-watching vessels in New Jersey, the Jersey Girl continues
to do what she was built to do:
take people to sea.

Jersey Shore Whale Watch
Belmar, New Jersey

Come experience the ocean the way it was meant to be seen:
outdoors, on deck, and surrounded by wildlife.