The Patel family, with their twin daughters Priya and Aisha, always believed in learning through experience. Their trip with Jersey Shore Whale Watch turned into an educational expedition, far exceeding their expectations. As they encountered various marine species, the knowledgeable guides enriched their experience with insights into the marine ecosystem, the behaviors of whales and dolphins, and the importance of conservation.
This day out on the water sparked a new interest in environmental science for Priya and Aisha, who returned home eager to learn more and determined to play a part in protecting the ocean. For the Patels, it was a day of discovery, bonding, and the beginning of a lifelong commitment to nature.
Jersey Girl boat tour of New Jersey Whale Watch in Belmar, NJ was so amazing today! We saw a ton of whales. Many humpbacks….some in pairs, like mother and calf, some juveniles and a few Minke whales. We were on the boat for 10 minutes and drove right through a passage with a bunch of humpbacks! It was one of their best whale watching days for the boat through a bunch of tours!!
We saw 3 whales swimming together. They surfaced and were playful, so the whales are still out there this fall. Go see them! We saw lots of dolphin and sea birds. Captain Bill, Danielle and the crew are so great and the boat is state of the art. Loved it so much!
We saw dolphins and a minke whale! Friendly staff that worked hard to take care of passengers. Laid back adventure. Loved hearing facts from the Naturalist over the speakers.
An experience like no other! Our tour had some good luck today, I lost count of how many whales we saw. Highly recommend, they do tours until December!
Fantastic ! Picked a great day for whale watching and the team didn’t disappoint! Extremely professional and provided such great information . Definitely doing this again!
What an awesome day! Chive (the whale) was giving us quite a show. The staff was really great on keeping us aware of where she could be spotted. My family had a blast. Memories were made. #AmazingDay
The crew was great. Very kind, welcoming and kid friendly. Boat was very clean and the location was great. We were seeing whales within 10 minutes of leaving the marina. They did a good job of getting in a good place to view the whales. We saw at least 4 different humpback whales. Danielle was the naturalist and talked all about the whales. She was great! Fun day with the family.
Amazing trip! Everyone loved the experience, totally worth it! Saw a lot of splashing tails and fins! Learned a lot about whales from our naturalist! Had a whale of a great time!!!
JSWW took fantastic care of my marine science students and made our class trip one they will never forget! The Captain was great at searching for and finding our whales, our naturalist was incredibly knowledgeable and took quality photos, and the staff were top notch. Overall, all of my students and our other chaperones said it was an amazing trip that they want to go on again. And of course, getting to see a full breach made it EXTRA special! At the end Bill was kind enough to give all of the kids a shirt. We will definitely be coming back again. Thank you to Bill and the entire staff for making an experience that is education and fun for students of all ages.
Great Day Boat! Attended the 1230-330 Sail. Beautiful skies, the attendants were helpful and kind. Snacks were available for purchase and the restrooms were very clean. Saw about 4 Whales during the sail. I would definitely recommend it!
Excellent views of multiple Himpbacks. The crew knew where to go and the naturalist Danielle figured out the names of two and where last spotted in migration.
We had a great time! At one point we stopped and had 3 humpback whales swimming around and around the boat. We also saw a bunch of great birds, including three types of shearwaters. I got sick while we were out and everyone was really helpful with ginger ale etc. I highly recommend this trip!
I have been in many whale watching expeditions ranging from Maine to Florida, but never have I had the pleasure of experiencing a event like the Jersey Shore Whale Watching tour. Bill and his Crew are the most professional, dedicated, and responsible tour company around. They are so confident in their mission and service that they even offer a free return trip if you do not see a whale; in fact I recently returned on a expedition (for free) and saw a playfully curious Humpback Whale. Thank you Jersey Shore Whale Watching Tours for being so awesome and for the amazing experience.With over 400+ Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) spotted and cataloged in the New York/New Jersey waters though the non-for-profit research organization Gotham Whale, it makes trips on the Jersey Girl kind of like your very own local ocean safari. Remember, it is not a zoo so there is no guarantee that you will find whales. With that being said though, the adventure of searching for these majestic creatures adds a thrill of possibilities to the search. Plus, it’s always a beautiful day hanging out in the ocean.Recently, I participated in one of their 12-hour Marine Life and Pelagic Bird Expeditions. On Wednesday, October 9, 2024 a mixed group of eager marine biologists, naturalists, photographers, ornithologists, and adventure seekers traveled 40+ miles off the coast of NJ/NY aboard the Jersey Shore Whale Watch’s vessel, the Jersey Girl, in search for offshore birds, Whales, dolphins, turtles, and anything else that wanted to present itself to us. At the end of the day, we spotted:* 13 humpback whales; 3 of which were calves* 17 Bird Species* 2 Loggerhead Sea Turtles* 1 Leatherback Sea Turtle* 100s of Mauve Stingers (jellyfish)* Large school of Yellowfin Tuna* and 2 Monarch ButterfliesFYI - they offer a 12 and 24 hour expeditions periodically for which I stand behind 1000%. We saw numerous fin whales, minke whales, and humpback whales.Disclaimer: The crew of Jersey Shore Whale Watch and Gotham Whale follows the strict rules and regulations set forth by whale sense.Reminder: Give Wildlife Space - Make sure to bring binoculars or a camera with a telephoto lens, and give our wildlife the respect they deserve by not going near them.
it was a great time! bought tickets same day we went on the tour with no issues! saw some whales and enjoyed being out on the water. definitely recommend!
Had a great time and saw three whales and a sunfish! They were very good and making sure everybody saw the wildlife and giving an explanation about the whales. Highly recommend
Amazing day at sea on board of the “Jersey Girl.” The day was gorgeous. Five minutes in we spotted a humpback whale doing shallow and deep dives, just beautiful. After that, we watched dolphins, birds and tunas, followed by two more humpbacks in our way back to shore. The crew was helpful, courteous and knowledgeable. I even accepted a piece of delicious chocolate cake from a crew member’s birthday 🙂 I plan to go back and I absolutely recommend it.
We had an amazing time whale watching. We saw several whales, dolphins, and tuna. The staff was welcoming Knowledgeable and friendly! Highly recommend Jersey Girl Whale watching!
Second time going on the jersey girl with the jersey shore whale watch crew, first time we sailed we got the chance to see a pod of about 60 bottle nosed dolphins and one juvenile humpback whale. This time we got to see THREE humpbacks. Definitely recommend sailing with them, nice clean boat, kind and helpful crew.
Friendly, helpful and knowledgeable staff, very educational, and they found great active whales for us and spent a lot of time out there with them so we could see so much of their activity. Great say!
We saw 2 to 3 Humpback whales in one trip! The naturalist was super informative and the trip overall was fun! I definitely plan on going again, it's so nice to be able to see nature's greatest gentle giants in person.
I took some friends from abroad on this tour recently and we had so much fun. The ride was comfortable and the staff very knowledgeable and quick to point out the whales, as well as facts about their ages and feeding habits! Highly recommended, we brought some snacks and drinks and enjoyed a lovely day on the water
Great trip. Saw whales within minutes of leaving the marina. Danielle, Bill, and the rest of the crew were awesome and knowledgeable. Can’t wait to come back.
What a fun adventure! We saw a whale breach and a few dolphins as well. The boat is big and clean. The staff is informative and helpful. Very glad we upgraded to vip
Such an amazing experience! Naturalist Brooke is such a great narrator, very knowledgeable and made sure to point out all sightings. We went for my daughter’s birthday and the crew was amazing! They announced her birthday and even let her man the helm! That was so special and kind! The crew was great, came around and offered to take pictures of us. Even helped with my daughter and her seasickness. 10/10 highly recommend going out on the Jersey Girl if you want a good experience! We saw dolphins and a whale on our trip!
We loved the informative and interesting naturalist who shared a lot of cool i formation about whales. It makes me want to learn more about them. Yes, I definitely want to do a deep dive into whales!
Great way to spend our 21st year together 2nd wedding anniversary !! Saw several hump back whales. BYOBGet there early to park we arrived at 12 for 1230 departure on boat by 12:15 between walk and checkin. Got 2nd floor this time of year layer up and bring blanket was perfect.Enjoy!
By far the best experience. The crew is amazing and your naturalist, Brooke, is so knowledgeable. It was so nice to listen and learn from all of the information. We saw a few whales today and upon leaving, as we got closer to shore, we were surrounded by dolphins. Couldn’t have asked for a better day. Thank you to you and your crew for a great Saturday!
My first time experiencing a Whale watch. The crew was amazing. The Naturalist Brooke was very knowledgeable. We saw our first whale within minutes of being on the ocean. On the way in saw numerous very playful Dolphins. An overall outstanding experience and I would definitely recommend it and would love to do it again.
The most amazing time, and the whale was beautiful!! The crew was exceptional, so personable! The naturalist was very knowledgeable and so interesting. I highly recommend this boat for your whale watching adventure!! ❤️🐋🐋🐋🐋
I booked my trip May 28th for a whale watching tour to take place on September 28th. A couple days before my tour, they automatically rebooked my tour for a different time. The day before the trip, they rebooked me twice. Then less than 12 hours before the trip they cancelled the experience.To be clear, I understand all the cancelling and rebooking for weather issues and I am not complaining about that. However when I called to speak to someone October 11th, no one answered so I left a message. I also sent an email on the 11th expressing my request for a refund since I will not be back in NJ.I received no reply. So I called again today and was greeted by a man, who claimed to be the boss, named Bill. I explained that no one has gotten back to me and I would like a resolution.Bill then became confrontational. Questioning when I emailed and if I emailed. I attempted to spell out my information so he could find my booking and he proceeded to tell me he is "not smart" and originally denied receiving my email or message.I expressed that I will not be back in NJ and I wanted a refund. Bill then got even more rude. Swearing at me, being a total jerk, and he was definitely not helpful nor friendly at all. I couldn't believe how rude Bill was, my jaw was literally on the ground with the way he spoke to me.Apparently Bill did some research on his end while he was talking crap, and saw that I was refunded on the 12th and kept telling me to "check with my bank". I questioned why they couldn't communicate that and Bill just got even more caddy and rude to me. I absolutely told Bill how shocked I was at how rude he was, which caused him to become even more confrontational.All I wanted was a refund. Instead I had to experience Bill, who was extremely rude and confrontational with me. I eventually hung up the phone because he was so rude and pathetic.After the call I did some research and saw a refund for 75% of my booking was refunded on the 12th. I'm not sure why they could not tell me that and why Bill had to be so caddy and rude to me for asking for assistance.Needless to say, I will never book with this company again and I definitely do NOT recommend using their services. Mostly because if something goes wrong, they are extremely unfriendly and refuse to assist and communicate.
A perfect whale watching trip. The crew is professional and knowledgable. Our naturalists did a great job. The boat is very comfortable and clean. I was able to find good seating and viewing areas. We encountered whale 250 and followed it along for quite a whale. Saw spouts, diving, etc. A great trip.Also it was fun gliding under the open draw bridges toward the sea.
We saw whales and dolphins. Enjoyed listening to information about whales. Staff was nice and easy on and off boat. Wish we had calmer weather but that's on us for last minute planning.
The crew were very helpful and made sure you enjoyed your time on the water. The captain took extra time on the water to find the whales. Definitely would go again.
We saw dolphins right in the beginning. Took a while to find the whales but the captain let us stay out longer to find the whales. We found two! The crew is all very nice and accommodating. Highly recommend.
My first trip was Oct 2020. It was great. Planned to go back November 2021, weather cancelled it. Planned for May, weather cancelled it again. Booked for July 3. Perfect weather saw tons of dolphins and a couple of whales. Staff great as always. I have been on Belmar Princess for fishing a few times.One of deck staff saw some activity, gave us a tip on where to keep an eye on ...he was right. Clean boat.Tip for people not familiar with the jersey shore. Get there EARLY parking can be limited in the marina, boat leaves on time!October 2024. Another great day. Tons of dolphins and a few whales ❤️
Had a nice time on the water, great weather, great staff, kept us informed what and where the animals were during our trip. Everything is available online to book your ticket, highly recommend on a calmer day….
Today’s offshore trip was absolutely incredible! It’s worth it just to see the sunrise out in ocean. I was hoping to see a sea turtle for the first time, we saw 3! There were whales breaching, flippers waving and slapping, tons of tails, and they even came up right next to the boat! Amazing day! This was my third offshore trip, they keep getting better and better!
I went on the 10/09/24 offshore trip. It was truly exciting. We spotted 13 whales and three turtles during our time out on the water.The whales were active and engaging—breaching, spy hopping, and pec slapping, which created quite a spectacle. They often showed their tails as they dove, and it was fascinating to see them kelping in the sargassum.The turtles were a nice bonus, gliding peacefully nearby. Overall, it was an impressive experience that offered a great chance to observe these amazing creatures in their natural habitat. I’d highly recommend this trip to anyone interested in marine wildlife.
Great ride ! Love the information shared by the whale researcher that was explaining very interesting facts around whales that visit the Jersey Shore. We were lucky to see several whales and dolphins.My husband and I took a first ride back end of August; the ride was very nice but no whales were found. Jersey Girl whale watch boat honored rebooking for today as part of their warranty policy. Great service and very friendly staff.
We had a wild ride on the Jersey Girl . Lol sat up top and felt like a cow girl. Just needed a cow girl hat and perhaps a small harness, with the wind in our face and the sea spray too! Fun trip and fun crew! Second time and can't wait to do it again.
All of the Jersey Shore whale watching boats are greedy, so beware and do your research to look for non-profit environmental groups who run tours instead. I went on this boat with my mom and partner to see Bruce Springsteen at Sea Hear Now on 9/15/24 and it was a complete disaster. None of those boats should have gone out with strong swells and winds from a tropical depression down south and every single one should be ashamed of themselves. When you take people out on the water, you are taking people’s lives into your hands. The boat’s outdoor seating was unsafe for the height of the swells. The seating on the top deck was a group of lawn chairs that were not bolted down. People got injured in a swell when the chairs fell over. People on the lower decks got soaked on the way there from the swells. I also had no idea where the life jackets were. Many, many people were vomiting and throwing up from the rough seas. I am thankful they realized some guilt and brought us back before the show, where the large majority of passengers did get off the boat. No communication or follow up after the trip given the conditions. Overall a horrible experience. I’m just glad no one was seriously injured and I hope you enjoyed taking everyone’s money. I hope that was worth it.
Christine has been a wonderful service representative. She was able to rescheduled our bookings since we couldn’t arrive on time (at least 30 min before departure) due to NYC traffic (we came from CT, it’s our fault 😅). Thank you so much! 🥳🥳
It was a beautiful day, noon departure. The staff were excellent, the boat clean and comfortable. The PhD Oceanographer on board, from Rutgers, was incredibly informative and knowledgeable. They got a report of a whale to the north so we turned from going south toward Manasquan up to Long Branch. About 2 miles off the coast we stopped and watched a 35 foot humpback whale playing in the water. Then the guide saw a pod of dolphins not far off that turned out to be a superpod of bottlenose dolphins, over 100. Playing, breaching, etc. The guide said "this is like a National Geographic episode out here today!!" Incredible, affordable and informative. Will never forget it.
We went for my moms birthday present for the first time in May, but didn’t see anything. They were so wonderful and gave us a brand new trip at zero cost. We went this past weekend in September and saw a humpback whale, about 50-60 dolphins chasing our boat, 2 stingrays and my son and husband saw a shark fin. Absolutely worth it even though I was seasick the entire time.
The day was beautiful! The cruise was amazing! We saw 2 whales at one time, one was feeding and the other one playing, both within about 50 feet away from our boat! We also saw some dolphins and two seals! The crew was very friendly and the weather was sunny and in the 80's. A perfect day cruise!
The first time we went, we didn’t see any whales but the crew did their best to make it fun and informative. We were able to get another trip free and saw 2 young whales as well as dolphins. Everyone on the boat was so friendly and we learned a lot too!
Had a great time! The crew did an excellent job of making sure both sides of the ship got opportunities to see the whale! Recommend getting there early for seating!
Awesome day on the water. The staff was so helpful and knowledgeable. Very respectful of the whales. We had fun watching dolphins play and saw wonderful whale #141.
Great time. What a fantastic Naturalist on board. Learned so much. Studied one humpback whale through many dives. Great photo opportunities. Friendly crew. Beautiful, scenic cruise along the coast.
What an amazing time! We saw a whale as soon as we got out of the inlet and saw the largest pod of mature and adolescent dolphins that we have ever seen with about 75+ strong. We also got to see a Mola Mola “Ocean Sunfish”!! The captain and crew were very friendly and informative. Definitely added to the experience.Highly recommend with our guaranteed sighting accomplished! VIP tickets are well worth the money!
What an excellent afternoon. Yes, we saw whales, dolphins and the like, but what a splendid experience! Great staff, knowledgeable guide. Go if you can!
We saw a whale!!!!! It was a wonderful experience the staff were friendly and welcoming and the tour guide was very versed and knowledgeable learned a lot about whales. Great trip
Don’t put this trip off like I did.. Great crew and great group of people.. beautiful sunny day and we saw our first whale spout in less than 30 minutes. The whales we saw keep surfacing, diving and tail slapping.. I’ll probably go back before the season is over…. Thanks to the captain and crew. PS a big shout out to the PHD student from Rutgers who was the onboard marine biologist….Lance Morrow, Summit, NJ
This was the best whale watching trip! We saw multiple humpbacks and several dolphin pods! The guides were knowledgeable about whale behavior and even identified the whales tag numbers. It was amazing to see and learn about them!
5x Jersey Girl Whale watcher and Wednesday, Sept 4th I brought 5 couples and their reaction was priceless. The comments most notable was we had a Whale of a time.
Excellent day on the water with an excellent crew. All are very capable and knowledgeable in all thing whales. Would highly recommend to all. Looking forward to doing the offshore trip. Thanks again. Offshore trip on 10/9 was beyond amazing. 12-20 whales breaching, feeding, fin slapping and more. 2 loggerhead sea turtles and a leatherback turtle was icing on the cake. Can't wait to go again. Everyone should go at least once.
I took my mother and 2 daughters on the Jersey Girl to go whalewatching for my mother’s birthday. We choose The Jersey Girl for its’ experience. The day could not have been more successful. The captain knew the location of a whale and took us right to it. We were able to experience a full hour of the whale putting on a show. She breached many times, did chin slaps, fin slaps and literally danced around for us for the whole time we were out there. We were treated to a complete narrative from an experienced marine biologist. The sound of my daughter shrieking with joy when we first spotted the whale could be heard throughout the whole boat. The information they came away with could fill a college term course. Not to outdo the whale was the amazing sunset we were treated to upon arriving back at the dock. I recommend The Jersey Girl and the whalewatching, sunset trip to all. The memories and pictures we came away with will last a lifetime. Thank you Captain and crew of the Jersey Girl.
We had a great time today. We saw a whale, a stingray and lots of jellyfish! The boat was clean and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable.Highly recommend!
What a great experience! Much more than I expected and so informative The crew made sure we got to take as much time as possible to take as many pictures as we could before heading back.
Best $50 I’ve ever spent! What a beautiful trip into nature! Fantastic marine biologist on board who gave continuous guidance and facts on whales and their behaviors. Crew was super kind and helpful! Will be an annual trip at the Jersey Shore!
Wonderful trip on a beautiful day and we saw two humpback whales!! The crew was very knowledgeable and I appreciated the safety measures taken to ensure the whales safety at all times. Highly recommend this trip.
These good folks were truly a delight to work with -- from the initial booking and answering my questions, through a reschedule for weather, and of course, the day of the trip. High level of attention to the little things, like adjusting seats so my family could sit together and answering our (many!) questions. We saw two humpbacks in one of the most humbling and awe-inspiring experiences of my life. Highly recommend!
We are oFishally blown away.Even though we unfortunately didn't see any dolphins or whales, the boat ride itself is beautiful and calming..... and guaranteed! We get another free ride due to the 'non-cooperation' of the sea creatures. And it's not like it's anyone's fault!Staff even extended the ride by an extra THIRTY MINUTES because they felt so bad, and REALLY wanted us to get to see some excitement.The staff is awesome and friendly, coming on deck offering to take family pics (with YOUR camera. NOT the kind they charge $20 for by taking with theirs!); and giving little kids free t-shirts.It was really a lovely afternoon.
My four year old son and I had a blast, our first time whale watching! We saw humpback whales feeding and learned some cool things. The whale(s) came to surface many times during the watch. We highly recommend this tour, andwe will be coming back!
Awesome experience! Very knowledgeable about the whales and other animals on the tour, and did a great job making sure everyone onboard has a chance to see them. Clean, comfortable environment and very family friendly.
Awesome time! Staff so polite and friendly. Couldn’t be nicer! Really enjoyed the time. Saw 🐳 whale… great narration by marine biology intern…interesting facts. Clean boat!
Rescheduled twice due to weather but it was more than worth it! Fantastic day on the water seeing the whales. Tour guide shared just enough information without feeling like they were talking the whole time. I would definitely go again as they said you see different whales at different times of the year.
Great day for Whale Watching! We got to see a couple of whales and even saw a tale or two! Staff was courteous and very knowledgeable about the whales. I was not aware that whales emit a smell but I learned that today and smelled it. Lol. Great experience and a must do again!
The crew is so friendly and helpful!! The boat is clean, fun and accommodating for the Whale Watch tour! It’s my second trip and we are planning a third! We had so much fun experiencing the whales and being educated about them during our trip by one of their crew member’s! Bill MCKim provides you with a great experience…..I highly recommend this tour!!
Went on Thursday August 15/24. Took awhile to see a whale. But we followed one for sometime. Crew was awesome as they gave us more time for whale watching. Great experience for us. Would recommend this boat to anyone wanting to go whale watching.
We booked this tour months ago with the understanding that we can cancel if need be. A hurricane was coming up the coast (swimming was actually prohibited at the beaches that day so not sure how they thought it was a good idea to sail but they did) but we called to cancel in advance of the 24 hour cancellation period as stated on our email confirmation. After a phone call with a very rude man named Tom who wouldn’t let me speak, I emailed to confirm that we were canceling and asked for a refund. After many emails back and forth, we were only refunded 75% because that’s what they said their cancellation policy meant. That is not what we understood the policy to be. So I disputed the other 25% with my credit card company. The following day I got a nasty email from them saying that they are going to send me to collections and report me to credit agencies. Needless to say we won’t be whale watching with this company.
WHAT AN AMAZING ADVENTURE! Everyone was so passionate and thrilled to chat about whales! I learned tons and saw not one not three but FOUR whales! Cant wait to come back every season 16/10 must attend!
It took awhile before we saw a humpback whale, but we stuck with it at a respectable distance and saw it many times. The whale was beautiful and the marine biologist explained so much to us making it fascinating. We also saw some dolphins and learned a lot about them. Two thumbs up!!
We had a beautiful day to head out looking for whales and were not disappointed. We saw a young whale feeding and swimming around the boat. The boat was clean and everyone seemed to be enjoying the day as much as we did. Would highly recommend !
We had a wonderful time. The crew was great. The captain took extra time to make sure we had a memorable experience. The naturalist on board kept everyone looking in the right direction, and the whales put on a great show. It was amazing.
It was a beautiful day for a boat ride and the whales did not disappoint! 2 humpbacks, a few dolphins and other marine life. Great crew, providing lots of interesting information. All in all a great way to spend an afternoon.
My kids and I went out on the 12:00 whale watching trip today. The crew was polite, helpful and beyond knowledgable. We were able to have several sightings and learned so much! It was a beautiful day we thoroughly enjoyed!!
Amazing experience. We saw a couple of whales feeding and diving. We were a full science class and public travelers. With that being said, everyone on the staff treated us so well. Very nice and helpful crew. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Also some really neat merchandise. One staff member showed us which whale we observed and got to touch a tooth like piece of a whale that helps with their eating. I highly recommend for family and or a quick trip with a loved one. It's about a 3 hour trip.
What a fun time we had. It started with meeting the owner who was friendly and enjoyable to talk with. The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. The boat was very nice and clean. And "Yes" we seen a whale which was just amazing to watch it in its natural habitat. Will definitely book another trip in the future!
I purchased 6 tickets through Groupon for a Dolphin watch. Once you purchase the tickets, you then get the merchant information, Jersey Shore Whale watch Tour. I called them right away to get us reserved since we were spending the day in Jersey with visiting relatives. Their voicemail states, 'all sails are canceled due to the weather'. Disappointed it was canceled, I immediately contacted them and Groupon for a refund. They say 'all sales are final'. I contact the merchant, they say 'schedule another date, we can't do anything about it.' Groupon states they will give it to the internal team. They refuse to refund. Worst service. Enjoy my $$.PS. I spend the rest of that day in Jersey and the weather was beautiful and perfect on the boardwalk. No weather issues.
I don’t even know where to begin!! What an amazing experience. We 1st went on Jersey Girl back in June. We didn’t see any whales. However, Bill honors his word!! Before we even got off the boat we had our free passes sent to us to return. Well we came back today and got the show of a lifetime!! Wonderful staff. The nicest people. Great boat trip!! They were patient. They never rushed us. They let us take in every minute of the whales!
Had a great time! The captain did a good job of making sure we had enough time to see the whales from all sides of the boat, and the speaker was very informative. Would definitely recommend!
Don’t book with this company! They only give a 75% refund if ocean conditions are not favorable and they cancel the tour. We booked for a large party and lost a lot of money in the process. Highly unprofessional and would not recommend this company.
It was a fun experience! I highly recommend. We saw 3 whales and they made sure everyone has a chance to see them both left and right side of the boat!
Was ok expected to be a little different screaming kids people yelling in my ear. I know it’s exciting but be considerate and don’t yell in peoples ears. Everybody’s so close together.Promise T-shirts and they didn’t even have the sizes either too big or too small so much for reserve seeing everybody was just everywhere
The golden eagle was an amazing whale watching trip! We saw three different whales multiple times. They were very knowledgeable and gave us great information about whales and also other sea animals. Michelle was awesome and knowledgeable and so nice! Definitely would come back
We had an absolutely wonderful time. We saw so many whales!!! We also saw dolphins and tuna. We took my special needs friend and the boat was easy for her to maneuver. She was able to go to the front of the ship, the top deck, and inside to the snack bar. We all enjoyed seeing so many whales. It was a very hot day on the shore but it was a beautiful day on the water. This was the funnest thing I did last summer and couldn't wait to come back this year. We will go again before fall!!
Amazing day on the Golden Eagle with Jersey Shore Whale Watch! We saw several whales. We got to see them breach, feed and more. The weather was also amazing.
The trip was fabulous!!! The announcer from Monmouth University was extremely knowledgeable and very informative about all the wildlife. The staff were super friendly. We saw so many whales and dolphins. I highly recommend this tour!!!
We paid extra for reserved seats which I didn't feel were worth the extra money. The website said we would get free t-shirts with the reserved seats which we didn't receive. Despite this, the crew was very friendly & helpful & we did see whales & dolphins.
A spur of the moment decision - and so worth it. We had family visiting from Virginia and were looking for something to do. Lucky enough to grab some of the last tickets available for the 1:30p tour - and it did not disappoint. We hung out with two beautiful whales for almost a full hour! The staff and crew were so nice and welcoming, it was a great trip. We'll definitely do it again!
Giving 1 star, should be 0. After leaving us at a dock further than where we started due to engine trouble, as the line to disembark was moving slowly, my girlfriend was forced out of the restroom while fully indecent by an older woman on the crew. She was either named Jane or Anne (asked for her name after, she said Jane but heard other members of the crew calling her Anne). Lots of passengers were still lining up to make their way off the boat at the time, but this woman felt the need to pound her fists on both restroom doors and force my girlfriend out as well as a man out of the men's room. Thankfully he was only washing his hands at the time, my girlfriend was not nearly as lucky. Made her feel understandably very distressed, uncomfortable, and violated. She cried in the car.I confronted Jane / Anne afterwards while the crew gathered at the dock, she was defensive and aggressive yelling "I already apologized over and over, what more do you want?". She never did. I'd like a proper apology and an explanation as to why you felt it was necessary to force people out of the restroom with their pants down for no reason other than it was "time to get off the boat". If we had joined the other passengers in line, we'd still be waiting to get off at the time she would have been leaving the restroom. No other member of the crew was rushing anyone off the boat, only her. I'd like to say every other member of the crew was perfectly calm, friendly, and accommodating throughout.Absolutely appalling behavior, arguably criminal, and a completely reprehensible situation caused by an angry woman with a horrific temper. Thank you for leaving a disgusting tinge on the tail end of our anniversary. Clown show of a company. Take any other tour.The woman in the purple shirt (not pink shirt on the boat) is her.EDIT: Nice work on that response from the owner. This was at no point a five star review. I guess being willfully ignorant is easier than even a basic apology.
My brother and his girlfriend booked a tour here and while the tour itself was quite enjoyable, one employee forced her way into the restroom with a key after my brother blocked her from opening it while his girlfriend was using it, and told her so. This employee told us that her name was Jane, but when we complained, the owner called her Ann. She exposed people using the restroom to the passengers, and refused to apologize and admit wrongdoing.
I took a picture of whale so well but my sister forgot to take the picture of it but don't worry she'll do it next year! I also sang my bunny lies over the ocean a spoof of my Bonnie lies over the ocean but getting all wobbly!
Saw so many humpback whales! Friendly tour guide.Edit: Last minute change while exiting, older woman in purple shirt with ponytail was incredibly rude and violating. Thanks for changing the otherwise good experience for me.. kid with glasses was nice.Part 2: They didn't ship a hoodie or sweatshirt, it was a nice PR move though 👌
I did my first ever 12 hour pelagic today with JSWW. We saw 12 humpback whales with good, close looks and many others off in the distance. Some of the whales were known by our naturalist, Danielle. Those whales were called: Nile (a female), Woodpecker, and Rapier (another female). We also had bird experts on board who were able to assist with identifying many birds that are only very rarely seen from land including: great, Cory’s and Manx shearwater, red phalarope, black-legged kittiwake, and parasitic jaeger. These were all life birds for me. The staff are all wonderful and the boat is excellent! I will continue to do trips with JSWW in the future!
I’ve lived in Jersey all my life and this is my first whale watching experience and let me just say it did NOT disappoint! A MUST DO!! Loved everything about it and will definitely do it again!! Great Staff!!
We live in Middletown leave from Belmar. No whales seen. We get to Sandy's hook and that is where most of the whales are. Took seastreak out of Highlands 2 times and your right there. No waste of gas etc. It was a nice boat ride but we think we will continue on Seastreak Whale watch in future. Great job on redoing Jersey Girl boat but even a few times before boat was changed 🐋 were in Sandy Hook. Closer to home 🏡 Plus you have no am hours and very expensive. I do not need to sit Seastreak $55. Even though you go out everyday it's different amount $. I would love am rides and pay a fair amount! Maybe next year you will have am rides where 🐋 are most active in Belmar while riding 1 1/2 hrs to see a 🐋 in pm in Sandyhook and stay 1/2 hr and come back to Belmar.
Saw loads of whales close up Edit: Be aware that they may go and see whales on the tours marked 'Dolphin Tour' Only a problem if you have previously been on the whale watching tour. These are decent ppl and will do their best to please. Well worth going on any of the tours.
AMAZING! We saw a whale breach and we saw it dive deep and the tail come out of the water. We were very lucky. Everyone on the crew was respectful and nice. We got 30 minutes added to our trip since we got stuck at the bridge, very nice of them. I would definitely do this again. I wish I had a better photo but seeing the whale in person is WAY better and had me in shock! I loved it. You must do this! P.s. maybe bring a jacket, you might get cold.
We had a great experience. The crew were very friendly and explained every details about the whales.We were lucky enough to see 4 whales and few dolphins.My 4 year old enjoyed a lot. Thank you.
The trip was great. The weather was perfect and we did get to see a whale. The only thing that slightly bummed me was not getting as close as I was imagining. However, there are certain wildlife rules that need to be followed so I can understand. Fair is fair. I recommend going. It was a pleasant time. There are even restaurants to eat at afterwards if desired.
Went to check out whales with Jersey Shore Whale Watching. Had a great afternoon got to see three whales. Ride out was pleasant the seas calm. The boat itself is clean and in great shape and the crew is fantastic.
It was pretty good . We saw dolphins which was nice and they are types of whales but we didn't see the whales we expected. They ran the boat along the coast line , not going out very far. They said on the website you would get a free hot dog or soda , that never happened. But with all that said over all it was a good experience and they did have an excellent crew. 🐳🌊🤗
My family was delighted by the dolphins and whales.! Admiration to Captain Bill for turning the boat around to catch some awesome sights of the whales! An added surprise on this trip was seeing a storm go out to sea! A perfect way to start off summer! Thank you Captain Bill and crew!!!
Great crew and staff.Bill was a nice person to deal with also the rest of the guys.The weather wasn't great to see anything,still we had some fun ride.In return we got a free pass to come back again.
We saw dolphins and whales. We were done and they turned back because they were told by radio that there were whales 9 miles from where we were. The crew was great! This was our second trip this season. The first one we weren't lucky, and we didn't see anything, but it wasn't for lack of trying. I was going to take one star off because my husband had a hard time booking this second trip, but it was so good that they deserve 5 starts. I hope to be back in the future.
Had a group of 8 adults and 5 kids. First they told us to be there at 3:30, then it changed to 4:00, then 4:30, then 5:00 pm. Finally the guy in charge (Bill) after many complaints from a long line of people, said "you can get a refund or a reschedule. I have a $2 million house on Ocean Ave, I don't need your $60" The line was horrified at this arrogance. AVOID THIS SLEEZY COMPANY. Complete JO. also, I'm pretty sure he doubles as the whale. Zero stars.
Totally unprofessional. Boat was over an hour late and never received a notification. We had 5 kids between ages 1 and 6 and waited in 90+ degree heat. Eventually when we asked and were told we wouldn’t be able to get on until at least 2 hours past the original time, we said we were upset because it now put us well past the kids bedtime and this was after wasting half the day driving and waiting. THEN, we received a nasty response that he didn’t need our $60 anyway.
Makes for a relaxing day! The crew were very helpful and knowledgeable. Be careful getting a lot of sun though! Things to bring include good snacks, a cooler, hat, sunglasses, long sleeves (the wind can get really cold), and I wish I brought binoculars with me. Would definitely come again, you could see anything on the water!
I highly recommend taking this trip! The staff is great and they really work hard to find the whales . I went two days in a row and both days we had whale sightings .
We had a great experience and seeing them about six or seven Whales, the staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. I would definitely recommend going with them to go whale watching.
Highly recommended! Our second time with Bill and his great crew. Seen a couple of whales and several dolphins. On both trips the entire staff have been fantastic. Very informative information given with true passion to not just educate but to help draw in young and old alike. We will be going back. Incredible time and definitely worth our drive time from PA. If you haven't joined them on a trip, you need to!
The reserved seating is on the first level,not the second level as claimed. It is a total waste of money.However besides that it was a good experiance.the narrative was very interesting.We were upgraded to better seating, so overall a good time and the one whale came up close.
Second time out with these folks. Great bunch of folks. Great guide. We stopped a while to watch a humpback whale and saw a bunch of dolphins too. They do a great job making sure you get a great view. Highly recommend. We will visit again.
It was fun, relaxing, and invigorating sailing on the open seas. I saw a school of some very photogenic dolphins, later, some shy whales, though I hear every excursion is different; A week ago, seventeen whales were sighted - so you never know.It was a great experience and I certainly do in it again.
Was a great smooth ride. Saw a pod if dolphins jumping, a shark and watched 3 whales for about 30 min. Diane was incredibly knowledgeable. Then on th free way home we got a special treat and greeted by a wet falls right by the side of the boat. Great way to spend my birthday!
Very exciting. 3 whales and lots of dolphins. The naturalist Danielle did a great job. She was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot. Highly recommend Jersey Shore Whale Watch. We definitely will be on a few more trips this summer.
Bill, Danielle and the crew took great care of us and were very knowledgeable in their hunt for the perfect whale picture. Would absolutely recommend. Seating by the front or up top worth the extra couple bucks.
Very cool whale watching trip! Lasted longer than 3 hours which was cool. Seen several whales and dolphins. Staff was so genuine and sincere continuously asking if I was alright due to severe sea sickness. Highly recommended for whale watching.
It really was an amazing experience and everyone in the crew was fantastic, but if you want to pay for and select the reserve seating just be aware that there is a small group of people who are there about every other weekend (what one of them told me) who rush to the tip of the bow (the best view on the ship), and then tie their bags to the spot and always have someone standing there through out the entire trip to make sure no one else gets to stand up there. Might be worth trying another tour boat if you want an opportunity to take turns for a good view. We also had reserve seating, but wound up having to sit further back because there wasn’t enough space for us up front. Didn’t mention anything because it was a special day and I didn’t want any conflict - I just figured I would warn anyone else who is looking around for a tour boat to choose. Again, everyone was very nice, just felt a little weird and kind of sad to watch three people hold the best spot on the boat hostage from everyone else haha. Definitely recommend this area of New Jersey for whale watching though!
So much fun!!!! 🤩 I loved being on the boat, loved learning about the whales 🐳 etc and seeing them and dolphins too!!! Great trip and I can’t wait to do it again!!!!! Thank you!!!!
We had a really nice day! The weather was beautiful. The tour guide was very informative. We saw a big herd of common dolphins (which we learned are quite rare in this area, despite their name). They were interacting with the ship, and showing off their jumps! We saw a humpback whale multiple times. Definitely a fun experience. My only issue was that our two kids got sea sick, and were out of commission for most of the trip. Don't make our mistake. Pack some Dramamine just in case!
My mom got 4 tickets may1,2023 for the whale watch which was canceled for July2023 and that was canceled both cancelations were due to weather which understandable. My mon received tickets that you could use anytime within 1yr. She called and called leaving numerous messages with detailed information and her call back information and never received a call back. Finally on Friday May 31st,2024 she called and someone answered. She explained the situation and was trying to come up with solution like be refunded She spent atleast $200+ the person she spoke with was very rude responding with answers like "we don't control the weather, next question?" It want to say we are not locals to NJ so to get weather, timing, and everyone's schedule together at times can be a challenge. I suggested my mom dispute the charge from her bank just as weather isn't under their control it's not in hers either to be given 1yr refunded tickets and not be able to use them is a waste of money. No type of empathy towards my mother's wasted money. I suggested only purchasing tickets if you KNOW your getting on that boat. Unprofessional insensitive staff towards one's hard earned money is not cool than with an "oh well" attitude is like REALLY...?!?! Wrong just WRONG. She called I WATCHED her nobody returned her calls.
Great experience! Everyone of the staff members was extremely nice and accommodating. We had a beautiful day and got to see whales breaching! 10/10 would recommend
What a great experience we had! We have seen two whales in a very short distance from the boat. They were so curious and friendly. Definitely coming back. Thanks
Excellent time! We did the 3 hour tour which ended up being 5+ hours! It was an absolute blast with some awesome whale viewing experiences. My daughter had a blast!
Had a wonderful time with my wife and mother in-law. Saw a whale and a bunch of dolphins. You can tell they really try to involve you and teach you info on marine life. The ride was smooth and we even stopped to pick up a balloon in the water. You can tell they really care about the environment.
The crew is great. We paid for reserve and that only guaranteed a seat not a spot on the rail at the front of the boat. The school trip kids 10-13 enveloped our space and our 4 year old was pushed to the side. I asked and was told he seats were what we paid for not the rail so don’t pay for anything other than vip or general. We did see dolphins and 2 whales. I would go again without the extra cost and just do general as you get the same experience. (School trip didn’t help)
Beautiful day whale watching. Saw a humpback feeding and some dolphins as well! Love Jersey Shore Whale watching tours. Our 2nd time and won't be our last 🐳🐬
Love this boat! Today we saw a young humpback who gave us quite a show, 3 breaches. Such a great day. Entire crew was so nice. Looking forward to my next trip❤️
I’m not sure if this company is still in business! Wehad a trip booked last year but due to the weather, it was canceled by the company. They don’t refund. They said they would reschedule a trip. I’ve been emailing and leaving messages with no replies for the last two months. It appears you can still buy tickets on their website, but you can’t book it for a trip already paid?
My son Daniel and I are long overdue in writing our 5 * star review about our adventures aboard the Jersey Girl Whale watching trip last June 2023.I asked my son Daniel if he wanted to go whale watching expecting the usual “NO” that teenagers give Mom’s. But..he said “Yes!” and before he could change his mind I called Bill McKim to ask a few questions about the trip. You see Daniel has autism. New things are sometimes more difficult for him and Covid didn’t help with those fears.Bill went above and beyond to listen to my concerns, “Will it be too long” “3 hours?” “Should I bring Dramamine” and so on.It turned out that it was calm seas, breathtaking skies, and Bill had the best seats on the boat reserved for us!We started out inside the downstairs cabin which still has an excellent view. We then got brave enough to venture out to the railing!“Whale!” On the other side of the boat! Everyone screamed in amazement! My son runs inside because the screams scared him and we didn’t see the whale. I mention this because parents with children that have hearing sensitivity may want to bring noise canceling headphones.It took a little pep talk but we eventually climbed to the top of the boat where Bill had put out two chairs for us! It was so wonderful. How thoughtful! He also took the picture of the 2 of us!Up above we saw 2 more humpbacks!! And the most adorable baby dolphins swimming in perfect synchronicity!Now we are showing off the beautiful shirt that Bill gave to Daniel! His favorite color, so soft..he loves it! I finally got a picture of him in it!Thank you to the Captain who was very kind as well! I would recommend Jersey Shore Whale Watching to everyone.To parents of special needs children or adults, consider calling Bill McKim. Ask him the questions on your mind as far as accommodations that might be made to help your loved ones. It is definitely a memory that will last forever for us!💙.🐋🐬🌊⛴️💙
Absolutely wonderful experience! They actually gave us an extra half an hour and a free T-shirt, and the best part is, we were able to actually see whales!🥰 Had the best time and it was beautiful, to see whales in their own habitat!
This is my third time whale watching. Was so excited to bring my family that is visiting from out town. The boat is clean and the staff are friendly and knowledgeable. Also, there is plenty of parking and there is a restaurant in the same parking lot so you can grab a bite afterwards.So much fun and would highly recommend.Today was extra awesome with 4-5 different whales and many lunge feedings. Could finally check that off my bucket list of things to see.
We had a great time with Jersey Shore Whale Watching. We saw a nice size humpback! The whole crew was very nice and helpful. They were also very knowledgeable and gave good insight on whales along the Jersey Shore. We definitely would take another tour with Jersey Shore Whale Watching again.
Came in august on a very choppy day with no sightings. They stick tp their guarantee and gave us a free return trip and we visited again in October. The trip was perfect! Lots of dolphin and whale sightings. The crew is friendly and knowledgeable. Very fun trip!
Absolutely WONDERFUL tour. Done in such an environmentally conscious and thoughtful way as they have actual scientists and scholars on board telling you all about the ecosystem. we saw at least 20-30 fins, tails, breaches, etc. there must be SO MANY whales off the coast here for the show we got in a mere three hours. Highly recommend. And if you are a boater please slow down bc these magnificent creatures are so curious and approach the boats and it’s very easy to harm them if you aren’t as cautious as this company is. They really created such a beautiful experience for my family and I, while keeping the wildlife in mind - we will surely be back again and again thanks to the amazing crew.
The trip is amazing! 🙂 The crew gave us some education regarding the whales. It's nice to see them in action. The trip we only book for whales but we're able to see dolphins as well. 🙂 Highly recommended! 🙂 We're definitely going to watch again 🙂
Had a wonderful day offshore with Cap'n Bill and the crew!! Left out of Belmar, within a half hour we saw the amazing sight of newborn dolphin calf! We kept a respectable distance away, so as to not disturb the family pod helping Jr. along with it's 'learning to breathe'. The naturalist on board gave a great summary about the animals and their habitat. Then we sighted a lone Humpback whale feeding. What a wonderful day-the whale seemed to be interested in our boat as well as we with it! A couple of times, the whale lunged while feeding-great to see. We will be back!!
My family and I had a great time. Crew was great, and very knowledgeable about everything we saw.We saw a humpback right out of the gate, on Point Pleasant shore, and they crew got word of Dolphins a few miles away. They took us there, and, there were at least 3 groups of Dolphins swimming around the boat. We had a great time, and we will be back again.
My boyfriend and I went on 4/17/2021. The crew was great and boat roomy and comfortable. It was cold since it was mid-April, and unfortunately we did not see a whale. However, we were on the water for about 3.5 hours and it was a great ride. We did see one seal, and lots of dolphins.I would do the trip again.
We had a humpback whale hang out with us for about 90 min. It was amazing. We actually had to leave him because our time was up. Thanks captain Bill for a great time.
This whale watching tour was truly amazing! I've been multiple times and each time is better than the last. On this particular trip, we saw an endangered North Atlantic Right Whale! The crew is very friendly and knowledgeable. You can tell that they care deeply about these marine animals and make sure to treat them with respect while providing an amazing and educational experience.
Wonderful experience and crew! They’re very friendly and knowledgeable. Was able to see a North Atlantic Right Whale, one of only 388 in the world! You won’t be disappointed.
Yes another 5 star review. How are they so successful finding whales? There are fishing boats and other boats that all report the sightings so that they know where to look. They also have a fish finder sonar to follow the whales dinner. I was surprised how lose we could get. Whales actually dive rather slowly so they give you a chance to catch that tale photo. While this covid pandemic sucks, it was a great time to go out because the do not crowd the boat. Each group was able to have their space. We sometimes choose to wear masks when we were outside but I doubt it was necessary out in the open water. If you went inside masks were required. I very much appreciate the safety measures including cleaning that we witnessed. Of course the point of this trip was the whales and they did not disappoint. We also had very nice dolphin views and the naturalist on board kept us informed. Lastly I was concerned about booking ahead because of it got cancelled some of our party would not be able to make it another day. However we would have been allowed a refund as opposed to a credit. You can bring food and drink. Just a great day.
This trip was awesome! The naturalist Danielle was very knowledgeable and taught us many things about the humpback whales. The crew was friendly and helpful. We were out of Belmar 20 minutes and seeing the whale. On this trip we were lucky to see two different whales I had taken the whale trip out of Cape May and only saw dolphins. I would highly recommend this trip for anyone.
What an awesome experience. Crew, both on off boat were excellent. Trip will change your life and encourage positive environmental changes to your life. It was a great trip, and a great time had by all attending. Staff worked with trip cancellations and rebooking without canceling my reservation - superb customer service. I’m excited to go back next year and hopefully their offshore trip , as well , next year.
Took my daughter the 1st weekend in October and it was amazing. Saw a whale breech for the 1st time. Staff super friendly and the guide was amazing. Will definitely do again real soon. Also bought a long sleeved tshirt and it's super comfortable so much so my daughter took the one I bought on the boat so I had to order another one
What a fabulous way to spend the afternoon on Labor Day weekend! We saw a minke whale not even a half hour into the trip. This was followed by dolphins and then 4 humpbacks, which we were able to see again and again up close thanks to the captain's smooth maneuvering. Marine researcher Danielle is a true gem, sharing great info along the way. Would highly recommend this terrific tour along the beautiful Jersey Shore!
I can't say enough about this experience. The boat was clean and comfortable and our Whale expert from Rutgers was very informative and really interesting to listen to. When they say you are guarenteed to see a whale they certainly mean it. We searched for a while and just couldnt locate one but the Captain wouldnt give up and we turned around and there it was. So graceful and magnificent. Captured beautiful pictures and video and a lot of great memories.
GO!! I took a friend for his birthday on the July 19 tour. I had read about this tour online and thought it would be a great way to escape the heat, be on the water and maybe just maybe see a whale. Instead, we saw three whales. One of the whales breached over 30 times. Yes, 30! The naturalist on board said that was the most she had ever seen. It was spectacular -- we could see all of its markings very clearly. I never saw a whale leap up and snap its jaws closed mid-air, but I did that day. If you go, be prepared to get a bit wet but that was part of the fun. They do a good job of reminding people when to mask up and socially distance themselves. I had a memorable day -- I can't say you will have the same whale experience but you never know.
I went on the most amazing whale watch trip on Sunday, July 19th, with three friends aboard the Royal Belmar Princess out of Belmar, NJ. Once out to sea, we stopped off the coast of Sandy Hook and saw 3 Humpback juvenile whales. Whale #1 surfaced a few times and we could see his back arched out of the water before her went back under. Whale #2 was feeding and twice we saw him come straight up about 1/2 way out of the water to swallow up schools of small fish. Whale #3 made our entire experience so awesome. He put on an amazing show for us, breaching sideways and backwards out of the water multiple times. What a showoff! He was totally having fun displaying his playful side and we enjoyed watching him for quite some time. We were in complete awe. Thank you, Captain Bill McKim (Jersey Shore Whale Watch), crewmate Richie and marine environmentalist Danielle (who provided interesting and educational information about the whales). Surprisingly, we didn't see a single dolphin but the whale sightings were unreal! Mother Nature at her best, sharing her magnificent creatures for all to enjoy. A most memorable experience that none of us, including the crew, will ever forget.
Everything, Best Whale watch trip ever! Been on several and never saw a whale! Well we saw 1 it was the best experience that I ever had!!! The crew was excellent, everything was spotless! We saw whales, a sea turtle! They told us where to look! I cant say enough about Bill & his crew! You will not be disappointed! Just due it! 🐳🐢
July 2020 Beautiful, Suspenseful, Educational, Awesome Adventure!
By far, the best adventure of your summer fun! You won’t be disappointed… In my third year, multiple trips, with the most amazing crew. We never leave early. Captain will wait for the last second to catch the automatic draw bridge, waiting for those who are running a bit behind. The host will try to call to see if your close by or had to cancel without notice. The Captain & First Mate take pride on cleanliness, outgoing on being helpful, friendly & welcoming! The Royal Miss Belmar is third generation in this family! I frequently go on my own, with my granddaughter when she’s with me and they made special accommodations for my very frail brother on the 4th of July trip, 2020! Bill McKim is The Jersey Shore Whale Watch host & photographer. The staff includes a marine specialist representing Gothem Whales non profit organization. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon, then going on a Jersey Shore Whale Watch adventure!
What a great trip!!! The boat was immaculate, inside and out as were the restrooms. And the restrooms are real restrooms. Ample room for everyone to freely move around the boat. Able to see whales and dolphins from every angle. Friendly and knowledgeable crew! BYOB
This was my first time on a whale watch in NJ and I was blown away to see dolphins as we left the Shark River–and then humpbacks before we got up to Long Branch! The captain and the scientist who led the trip were terrific and full of great info. Will absolutely go again!
We had a lot of fun on our whale watch yesterday. The crew worked hard to find us a whale and everyone was very excited when they did. The heated cabin and the food/drinks available within were an awesome bonus!
On http://billmckim.com
Store Owner
11/10/19
Thanks for coming the trips are each unique sometimes we find the whales quickly other times it takes longer! Yes the heated cabin is awesome!, Thanks Bill
J
Jamie L.
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
09/18/19
Whale watching 9/8/19
Review by Jamie L. on 18 Sep 2019
It was amazing! We had the best time And Can’t wait to go again!
On http://billmckim.com
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
07/27/19
Must go!
Review by Arlene H. on 27 Jul 2019
My husband and I enjoyed this trip. We relaxed all afternoon on the water. We got to see 3 whales and some dolphins. Didn’t get clear pictures but still a lot of fun. We will definitely do this again.
+1
On http://billmckim.com
Mary F.
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
07/21/19
Whale watch.Belmar
Review by Mary F. on 21 Jul 2019
Had a terrific time..nice ride along the shore line with my grandchildren. We didn’t see any whales on this trip but the kids had a ball.
On http://billmckim.com
Victoria C.
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
07/19/19
Best time ever. Staff is
Review by Victoria C. on 19 Jul 2019
Best time ever. Staff is perfect and they went if of there way to make sure we saw as many whales as possible. Have us extra time to take photos.
On http://billmckim.com
brb_collection id=”2389″
Alexandra N.
Verified Buyer
4 star rating
07/18/19
Whale Watching
Review by Alexandra N. on 18 Jul 2019
Did see two whales and a lot of dolphins. Just wish there had been better view with whales. But the whales did come out of the water a little.
On http://billmckim.com
Linda T.
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
07/15/19
Excellent trip!!
Review by Linda T. on 15 Jul 2019
Yes we did see whales!! Amazing – I really didn’t think we would see any and after an hour and half right off Sandy Hook there were the whales! Happily feeding and swimming. No they didn’t jump way out of the water, but to see them in their natural habitat was exciting. The boat was comfy and I really had a wonderful time.
On http://billmckim.com
Karen L.
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
07/02/19
Whale 🐳 Watching
Review by Karen L. on 2 Jul 2019
Great time,
On http://billmckim.com
Yvonne K.
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
06/29/19
Amazing
Review by Yvonne K. on 29 Jun 2019
We watched a humpback whale feeding off the coast of Sandy hook, we spent about an hour with him. So beautiful!!
On http://billmckim.com
Kathleen S.
Verified Buyer
5 star rating
06/28/19
Great day!
Review by Kathleen S. on 28 Jun 2019
We had an awesome trip today! Amazing to see whales so close to home. Don’t miss out, definitely make the time to do this trip. We’re already figuring when we can get out again. Thanks to all who put it together!
On http://billmckim.com
WHAT BOAT DO YOU HAVE & HOW MANY DO YOU TAKE OUT?
Our charter boat is a 115 foot 2 viewing levels built to USCG & International Marine Standards designed for maximum stability and comfort, surveyed for 130 passengers + five crew in open waters. During the whale season we like to limit our numbers to a maximum of 1115 to give all passengers space to move around and take advantage of the great viewing positions.
Our vessel has excellent 360º viewing from upper and lower decks, 2 full size bathrooms and a kitchen. This boat was designed for your comfort.
Experience the stunning New Jersey coastline up close; land remains in sight throughout our journey with Jersey Shore Whale Watch.
Phone 732.451.6003 email
FAQ
Q. WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO OUT WHALE WATCHING?
A. Our Belmar location allows ust to enjoy the longest Whale Watching season in NY/NJ from April to early November each year. No two whale watching journeys are the same, with an unforgettable experience occurring during the whole whale watching season.
At the beginning of the season you are likely to watch these amazing creatures as they migrate north to warmer waters , whereas later in the season you are likely to catch them as they return south.
WHALE GUARANTEE
As our tours are conducted in the ocean we do not control these beautiful creatures; hence no two cruises are the same. We believe this is a part of the attraction of experiencing the whales on their migration path.
Due to the increase of Humpback whale population during the past few years, Our Guarantee is that if Whales are not sighted on the day of the cruise we will provide vouchers for the passengers aboard to return FREE of charge on another day. We can say that in 2018 this only happened once and as of Sept 2019 this only happened once we did not see a whale!
Q. HOW CLOSE DO WE GET TO THE WHALES?
A. As responsible whale watchers, we don’t approach closer than 100 feet of the whales. Though that doesn’t mean the whales can’t come to us and they do. Whales are curious mammals – at times they will dive for a few minutes and come up where you least expect them, sometimes close to the boat!
Q. Can I bring my camera or video equipment, will it get wet? Yes you can bring your gear, it wont get wet unless you do something stupid..lol
Q. How big is the boat? The boat is HUGE, it’s an 115 foot cruiser. Q. Bill are we really going to see whales? The answer is always unknown, but I can tell you that in the trips we have done in 2018 we have seen at least one whale up close each time. One trip we even had 3 whales in our view!
Q. Where does the boat leave from? We depart from Belmar Marina a short 5 min ride and we are cruising the Atlantic Ocean.
Q. Will you be running these tours all summer and fall? That I don’t know, but we are running them now and we will run them again in the fall so make sure to book now!
Q. Can We bring food, beer, wine, or champagne? Yes, you can.
Q. What should we wear? Bring a light windbreaker in case you feel cool on the way back, and don’t forget sunglasses and sunscreen!
Q. Is there a full bathroom room on board the boat? Yes, we have separate men’s and ladies’ rooms.
Q. I have a large group and want you to take us all out alone on our own private whale watching tour, will you do this? A. Yes, I would love to. Call me on 732.451.6003 We can charter any size boat your group needs!
Q. How long is the trip? The trip is just over 3 hours.
Q. Where does the boat go? We stay along the coast for most of the ride, so you can see all the beautiful homes along the coastline of New Jersey. On clear days you can see the skyline of New York City!
DOES A SMALLER BOAT MEAN WE ARE CLOSER TO WHALES, AND WILL WE SEE MORE?
No. A smaller boat means you are closer to the water, not closer to the whales. The higher up you are the better vantage points to see and capture the whales.
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT IS BAD WEATHER?
If it is overcast or lightly raining we still venture out to see the whales; we tend to find the whales still active. We have plenty of under covered areas (including indoors) so you can stay warm without missing out on seeing the whales if you wish.
We base our decision on the tides and the winds. If it is too rough and unpleasant we will contact you the day before to reschedule your trip.
WILL I GET SEA SICK, WILL IT BE ROUGH?
Motion sickness affects us all in different ways causing many people to get sea sick. If you know or are unsure how the boats journey will affect you, sea sickness tables can be purchased from a pharmacist or alternatively on board our vessel on the day. As our tours venture out to the ocean it is always better to come prepared. If you are still concerned, we recommend you speak with a pharmacist and eat lightly before embarking.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR/ BRING?
We highly recommend enclosed flat comfortable shoes as well as a jacket or jumper as it can tend to get a little chilly in the sea breeze.
And remember to bring your camera to take pictures of the beautiful gentle giants of the sea. You can post your photos on our Facebook, Jersey shore whale watch.
CAN I PURCHASE A GIFT VOUCHER?
Yes; our gift vouchers are ideal to give to someone for their Birthday, Engagement and Wedding, or to reward a staff member for their efforts. The gift voucher is valid for the whole season and can be used on any day. To utilize the voucher the recipient person calls the office direct, quotes the unique voucher number to book. Then brings the voucher with them on the day of their cruise. phone 732.451.6003
IF WE ARE BOOKED AS A GROUP, DO WE HAVE TO COME BACK AS A GROUP?
No, should you wish to join us on another whale watching trip you are welcome to come back on separate days if you like.
Learn How to Spot a Whale…
This whale was spotted off Sandy Hook by us on May 11th 2018!
Find a comfortable place at the railing and carefully scan back and forth over the water to the horizon. Look for things that don’t belong. Watch for blows, the whales’ tall exhalations. Look for backs, dorsal fins, or tails at the surface. Splashing in the distance often indicates active whales. Also, watch for groups of seabirds who may be feeding above whales. Once whales are located, the boat stops to begin the whale watch. It is important to note that the boat voluntarily operates within Whale Sensewhale watching guidelines to keep the whales safe!
They come to coast of New Jersey during the warmer months to feed on bunker Menhaden fish. The whale behaviors cannot be predicted, but are often spectacular. The numbers and species of whales always vary from trip to trip.
We will be doing trips weeks days and weekends til the end of October, let us know what works for you www.billmckim.com
Departure
To ensure our cruises operate according to schedule and you are able to enjoy maximum viewing time, passengers are required to be at the departure point 30 minutes prior to the scheduled cruise time. In consideration for all passengers on board, the Jersey Shore Whale Watch Vessel will not wait past the scheduled cruise time for late passengers.
Whale Watching Cruise Information
When attending our Whale Watching cruises, we recommend passengers move to our open decks for the best views, and advise that you should dress appropriately for this experience:
Pack a warm sweatshirt or a windproof / waterproof jacket. Conditions at sea can be windier and cooler than on the mainland.
Appropriate footwear is also important. We recommend you wear fully covered footwear with suitable grip, such as sneakers or deck shoes.
Cap or hats are also recommended on sunny days. The Jersey Shore Whale Watch Crew can provide you with sunscreen if you need extra protection. Remember, always be sun smart!
Jersey Shore Whale Watch is BYOB you can purchase soft drinks and snacks throughout the duration of the cruise. You are more than welcome to bring along some light snacks for your children and family, if you would prefer.
Safety
The Jersey Shore Whale Watch Crew is focused on caring for your well-being and your safety. Our Vessel was designed for your maximum comfort, and is manned by qualified and competent crew appropriately updated with safety training, hands on training drills and emergency procedures.
Life jackets are available on board and are distributed at the discretion of the Skipper. Please feel free to ask our friendly staff if you have any questions.
Jersey Shore Whale Watch is committed to providing healthy and safe conditions, and to maintaining a safe and pollution-free operating practice that complies with national and international regulations and relevant standards, codes and guidelines.
Jersey Shore Whale Watch is compliant with all safety obligations as outlined by USCG
TERMS & CONDITIONS
GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS:
All ticket sales are final. No further discounts will be applied once a booking has been made.
No refunds will be given in the instance that a reduced price is mentioned / found after the booking has been processed.
All ticket sales must be confirmed with Jersey Shore Whale Watch by phone or email. Bookings are essential. Walk-ons are permitted.
A Booking Confirmation or Voucher must be presented before boarding will be permitted.
Seniors / Students must present an appropriate ID card to obtain the advertised rate.
All cruises are subject to minimum passenger numbers.
All tickets purchased are to be redeemed during the current year and the same Whale Watching season. Extensions to the following year or season will not be permitted.
Neither Jersey Shore Whale Watch of Gold Coast nor its employees shall be liable for any death or personal injury to any passengers or any loss or damage to property, unless such death, injury, loss or damage has been acclaimed as a result of negligence of the company or its employees.
LATE ARRIVAL POLICY:
All passengers MUST be at the designated departure point 30 minutes prior to the scheduled cruise time.
Jersey Shore Whale Watch is NOT liable for passengers being late.
In the event you have missed your planned cruise time, we will reschedule your cruise to an alternate day (subject to availability).
In the event you are unable to reschedule your missed cruise, you will NOT be entitled to a refund.
INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY:
In the interest of passenger comfort and safety, cruises are subject to suitable weather conditions.
Jersey Shore Whale Watch reserves the right to cancel any cruise at any time and will notify all passengers by email and SMS. It is the passenger’s responsibility to ensure that their contact details are accurate.
In the event your cruise is cancelled due to inclement weather, we will reschedule your cruise to an alternate day (subject to availability).
In the event you are unable to reschedule your cruise that has been cancelled due to inclement weather, you will be entitled to a full refund.
You must request your refund within 30 days of your original cruise date, or you will forfeit your right to a refund.
RESCHEDULING POLICY:
In the event you are unable to attend your planned cruise you must notify Jersey Shore Whale Watch a minimum of 24 hours prior to your scheduled cruise time.
If you do not provide the required 24 hours notice when rescheduling your cruise, an administrative fee will be charged.
You are permitted to reschedule the same booking twice only. If a third amendment to your booking is required, an administrative fee will be charged.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
No refunds will be provided for change of mind or unforeseen circumstances.
In the event you are unable to attend your scheduled cruise for any reason, we will help you to reschedule your cruise to an alternate day (subject to availability).
In the event you are unable to reschedule your cruise to the current Whale Watching season, you are permitted to transfer your cruise into the name of a family member or friend.
All decisions regarding cancelled cruises will be made by the Operations Manager and are considered final.
The only instance a refund will be provided is if Jersey Shore Whale Watch of Gold Coast has made the decision to cancel your cruise.
WHALE SIGHTING GUARANTEE:
In the event of no whales being sighted on the day of your cruise, a complementary return cruise will be offered to all passengers.
In the event you are unable to reschedule your complementary return cruise, you are permitted to transfer your complementary cruise into the name of a family member or friend.
No refunds will be provided in the event of no whale sightings.
SEASICKNESS ADVICE:
To ensure an enjoyable day, we recommend that all passengers take precautions to prevent seasickness.
Seasickness preventatives are available for purchase on board.
Seasickness pills are most effective if taken at least half an hour prior to your cruise.