12+ Hour Offshore Whale & Wildlife Expedition
Go far beyond our regular whale watching grounds aboard the Jersey Girl for a full day exploring the offshore Atlantic.
Monday, September 14, 2026 • 4:00 AM Departure • Belmar Marina
Prices increase as tickets are sold. Prices will not go back down.
This Is Not Our Regular Whale Watch
Our regular three-hour whale watching trips explore the incredibly productive coastal waters off New Jersey and the New York Bight.
This trip is completely different.
We are dedicating the Jersey Girl for the entire day and heading far offshore into deeper Atlantic waters that simply cannot be reached on a normal coastal whale watching trip.
We are giving ourselves more than 12 hours to travel, search, explore and follow the wildlife wherever the day takes us.
Faster Than Our Previous Offshore Expeditions
This year’s expedition will be different from our previous offshore trips in another important way.
The Jersey Girl will be traveling offshore at a significantly higher cruising speed than in past years.
The reason is simple: the faster we reach the offshore waters we want to explore, the more of our day we can spend searching productive habitat instead of simply traveling to it.
Of course, speed comes with a cost. Higher cruising speeds mean substantially greater fuel consumption, and marine diesel is currently costing us more than $5.50 per gallon.
Rather than charge every passenger the highest possible price, we are rewarding the people who commit early.
Offshore Expedition Pricing
There are only 10 tickets at each price level. When one group sells, the next price takes effect.
You are welcome to wait until closer to departure before deciding. You’ll simply pay more for that opportunity. Our lowest prices are reserved for the passengers willing to commit early. Prices only move in one direction.
There Is Another Advantage To Booking Early
We will board the Jersey Girl in the order reservations were purchased.
The passengers who commit first will be among the first passengers invited aboard and will have the first opportunity to choose where they would like to settle in for the day.
Book early and you receive both the lowest available ticket price and earlier boarding priority.
Exclusive Offshore Expedition Sweatshirt
Every passenger on this trip will receive a custom Jersey Shore Whale Watch Offshore Expedition sweatshirt.
These are being made specifically for this expedition. We will only produce enough sweatshirts for the passengers who are booked on the trip.
Adult sizes only: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL and 4XL.
Your sweatshirt size must be selected in advance when you reserve your ticket.
Breakfast Is Included
We’re leaving Belmar at 4:00 in the morning, so we’re not sending everyone offshore hungry.
Your ticket includes a Jersey Shore classic — a pork roll, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich — along with bagels.
Breakfast will be served during the early portion of the trip as we make our way offshore.
Please Bring Your Own Lunch & Snacks
Because this is a 12+ hour day, passengers should bring enough food and snacks for the remainder of the trip.
We are intentionally not providing a catered lunch. This allows each guest to bring exactly what they want and makes it much easier for passengers with individual dietary preferences, allergies or special food requirements.
If you have special dietary needs, please bring the food that works best for you.
What Might We See?
Offshore wildlife is never guaranteed. That’s part of what makes an expedition like this exciting. We are going out to search, explore and see what the Atlantic gives us that day.
Fin whales, humpback whales, minke whales and other cetaceans are possible.
Offshore dolphin encounters can include large, active groups numbering in the dozens or more.
Pelagic shark species are possible as we move into deeper offshore waters.
Sea turtles are another exciting possibility during a long-range offshore trip.
Offshore feeding activity can bring tuna, whales, dolphins and seabirds together.
Shearwaters, storm petrels and other offshore species may be encountered far from shore.
Why We Keep Going Offshore
On one of our previous offshore expeditions, passengers encountered multiple fin whales and minke whales, along with common dolphins, bluefin tuna, a sea turtle, a hammerhead shark and a variety of offshore seabirds.
You never know exactly what you are going to find out there — and that’s exactly the point.
A Full Day Offshore Aboard the Jersey Girl
The Jersey Girl is a large passenger vessel with indoor seating, outdoor viewing areas, restrooms and room to move around during a long day at sea.
On an expedition lasting more than 12 hours, that matters. Passengers can change viewing locations, spend time indoors when they want a break and enjoy considerably more space than they would aboard a small offshore charter boat.
Who Is This Expedition For?
- Whale watchers looking for something beyond a normal coastal trip
- Wildlife photographers
- Birders and pelagic wildlife enthusiasts
- Repeat Jersey Shore Whale Watch passengers ready for a completely different experience
- Anyone excited by a full day exploring the open Atlantic
This is a long offshore day and is best suited for passengers who are comfortable spending approximately 12 to 13 hours at sea.
Offshore Weather & Cancellation Policy
Offshore weather decisions are very different from decisions for one of our regular coastal whale watching trips.
We have to consider wind, waves and sea conditions not only off Belmar, but across a very large area of ocean and many miles from shore.
The captain makes the final safety decision. If the captain determines that offshore conditions will not be safe enough to operate the expedition, we expect to notify passengers at least 24 hours before departure whenever possible.
These expeditions require substantial advance planning and take the Jersey Girl out of service for the entire day. That means giving up the local trips we could otherwise operate that day.
$250, $265 & $280 Tickets
If the captain cancels because of unsafe weather or offshore sea conditions, you will receive 100% of the amount you paid as future Jersey Shore Whale Watch credit.
Your full credit may be used toward another offshore expedition or toward future regular Jersey Shore Whale Watch trips.
If you do not want the full-value credit and instead request money returned to your original credit card, the refund will be 75% of the ticket amount paid.
$300 Final-Tier Flex Tickets
If the captain cancels the expedition because of unsafe weather or offshore sea conditions, passengers holding the $300 Flex Ticket may choose either full future credit or a 100% refund back to the original payment method.
If Jersey Shore Whale Watch cancels the trip for an operator-controlled reason other than weather or sea conditions, passengers will receive a full refund or may choose to retain the full value as future credit.
Expedition Details
Date: Monday, September 14, 2026
Departure: 4:00 AM
Departure Point: Belmar Marina, Belmar, New Jersey
Expected Duration: Approximately 12–13 hours
Passenger Limit: 40
Vessel: Jersey Girl
Breakfast: Pork roll, egg and cheese sandwich plus bagels included
Lunch: Bring your own lunch, snacks and special dietary items
Expedition Sweatshirt: Included with every ticket; adult sizes only; must be ordered in advance
Boarding: In the order reservations were purchased
Book Early. Pay Less. Board Earlier.
Only 10 tickets are available at each price level.
If you already know you want to be part of this expedition, there is no advantage to waiting. The price will only increase as the boat fills.
Current ticket price is determined by how many passengers have already booked.