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.