Opening Day whale watching Success photos

April 9, 2022 // by bill mckim

Our whale watching season started off with a bang! We had perfect spring weather, calm seas and a small crowd. We left the inlet and headed north to search for humpback whales. We were only traveling about 10 minutes when we came upon hundreds of Atlantic Bottle Nose Dolphins. We saw so many dolphins all around the boat. We saw smaller family groups with babies and young dolphins and larger groups too. We spent a little while with them giving everyone on the boat plenty of time to take pictures and videos and just enjoy watching them. Our next stop was finding humpback whales. We continued north past Asbury Park and Deal. We were just off of Long Branch when we spotted our first humpback whale of the season! It was about a mile off shore and we could see it slapping its tail around. As we got closer we could tell that this was a younger whale based on its size. Everyone on the boat was in awe every time the whale surfaced. There is nothing like seeing a humpback whale in the wild! We had plenty of time with the whale so everyone was able to get photos and videos and great views of this majestic animal. The whale was mostly making shallow dives so we never did get to see its tail flukes, but we did get a good look at its dorsal fin that we can use to identify him. We have a database of all the whales we have seen on our trips and each whale is assigned a number. This number is used to identify them for research purposes. While numbering a whale for research is important, calling the whale by its number can be a little drab. So we decided to do something new and fun this year. We are going to allow passengers to name the whales we see on our trips! We often see the same whales numerous times during the season so now our guests will know which whale they are seeing. Joseph DeVoe had the honor of naming our first whale and the name he chose is “Squirt” because of the whale’s small size. We look forward to seeing Squirt many more times this season. If you want a chance to meet Squirt, or maybe to find a new whale you can name yourself, book your trip with us today! Jersey Shore Whale Watching-Guaranteed fun for everyone!
Trisha DeVoe, Naturalist,
Jersey Shore Whale Watch

Saturday June 12th whale watching trip review.

June 12, 2021 // by bill mckim

Saturday whale watching trip report June 12 2021
we left BELMAR marina with a good-sized group of customers headed toward Asbury Park Nj.
‘we had a mix of people on board, many regular repeat whales, many first-timers and a few who were back for their free return whale watching trip, because they had not seen a whale on their first trip this year.
‘We were all well rewarded, we saw three different humpback whales today, and the sea was more adventurous than normal, we all enjoyed a cool day on the ocean.

‘Many customers came up to me after the trip thanking me and the crew for fulling thier lifetime dream of seeing a whale in the wild!

join us soon

BillMckim

Jersey shore whale watching tour

Remember we guarantee you will see a whale on our trip..

Here are some photos

Just off the beach near pier village long branch a whale

A tail slapping good time was had by all

Plenty of room for -expletive of all ages to enjoy a day on the ocean

Amazing Sunday Funday Whale Watching Belmar

October 4, 2020 // by bill mckim

Another amazing whale watching trip we were just 2-3 miles off the coast of Belmar up to Asbury Park at one point we’re up near Long branch Humpback whales everywhere great day we all really enjoyed it and we got some beautiful photos of two whales swimming side-by-side. I love speaking to families on thier first whale watching trip enjoying the ocean.
As I was leaving the parking lot a car stopped, and thanked me for taking them whale watching.Folks you made my day!
I will have some more photos to add.
We will also be holding a whale watching photographing contest with many prizes and categories.

Beautiful October weather today. Https://www.jerseyshorewhalewatchingtour.com

Coming back to the marina after whale watching

whale watching trip 4 whales!

September 17, 2020 // by bill mckim

Wednesday was a great trip. We started with a Minke whale these whales are the smallest of the big whales and are very fast and difficult to photograph Here are a couple images of the Minke whale we saw off Asbury Park Wednesday

Below is a Minke whale off the coast of New Jersey

The minke whales are the second smallest baleen whale; only the pygmy right whale is smaller. Upon reaching sexual maturity (6–8 years of age), males measure an average of 6.9 m (23 ft) and females 8 m (26 ft) in length, respectively. Reported maximum lengths vary from 9.1 to 10.7 m (30 to 35 ft) for females and 8.8 to 9.8 m (29 to 32 ft) for males. Both sexes typically weigh 4–5 t (3.9–4.9 long tons; 4.4–5.5 short tons) at sexual maturity, and the maximum weight may be as much as 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons).

The minke whale is a black/gray/purple color.^{[clarification needed]} Common minke whales (Northern Hemisphere variety) are distinguished from other whales by a white band on each flipper. The body is usually black or dark-gray above and white underneath. Minke whales in New Jersey have between 240 and 360 baleen plates on each side of their mouths. Most of the length of the back, including dorsal fin and blowholes, appears at once when the whale surfaces to breathe.

Minke whales typically live for 30–50 years; in some cases they may live for up to 60 years.

bait fish long branch nj , whales love menhaden fish

breaching whale 2020 asbury park deal nj — I missed photographing this full out of the water breach, my camera was in stand by mode i wont make that mistake again, whale photography is always fun

Coming back to the marina after a very successful 3 hour whale watching trip

About Finback Whales

August 28, 2020 // by bill mckim

We did see a Finback whale this week off Asbury Park and Deal New Jersey.

CIRCE posted the image and a YouTube video to its Facebook page last week. The video footage shows two of three breaches–the first at 3 seconds and the second at 1:15–and reveal that the cetacean is almost leaping completely free of the water.

Fin whales are the world’s second largest whale species and can measure 80-plus feet, and weigh as much as 70 tons. Because of their immense size, they almost never breach, which makes the rare photo accompanying this story all the more striking.

The image was captured May 22 in the Strait of Gibraltar by a researcher for the Spanish cetacean conservation group, CIRCE (Conservación, Información y Estudio sobre cetáceos).

You never know that you might see on Jersey shore whale watch trips, join us maybe one day we will see it breach like this video,

A Finback Whale on our trip!

August 27, 2020 // by bill mckim

We were all excited to see a Finback whale on our trip. Danielle our naturalist had been talking for days about 2 Finback whales being off the coast of Sandy Hook. we found it Wednesday.The families on the boat went crazy see to humpback whales come close to the boat and then we saw the finback whale and we observed it just swimming along. The whale is so huge it did not fit in my cameras view here are some of the photos i took. Join us soon the trips get better as we head towards fall whale migration season.

The fin whale is the second largest animal to ever live, in the entire history of Earth. Reaching lengths of at least 85 feet (26 m) and weights of 80 tons, this species is second only to its close relative, the blue whale. Their incredible size is only possible because of their aquatic lifestyles and the buoyancy provided by seawater. On land, an animal as large as the fin whale would almost certainly be crushed under its own weight.

We have done over 80 trips this was our first Finback whale sighting! all the otther trips have been Humpback whales and some Minke whales

whale watching trip review August 19 2020

August 20, 2020 // by bill mckim

So Wednesday’s trip was interesting, the morning started with pouring rain possible tornado up near red Bank really dark skies for about an hour. The Jersey shore whale watch phone was ringing off the hook with people asking if their trip was on or off or we going what are we doing. Long story short the skies cleared we all met at the marina in the lightest of a drizzle we got onto the boat the skies continue to clear and we had the most perfect day on the ocean flat season one got sick just a great day too beautiful Wells off of Monmouth County and people were thrilled to be out and enjoy something they’ve never seen Wells frolicking in the ocean on a perfect August day come out and join us soon we have plenty of trips scheduled including this weekend we leave from Belmar we have some trips also from point Pleasant we run the best and safest we are watching trip in New Jersey we guarantee will see you a whale.

Belmar whale watching tour august 2020

whale watching in new jersey best time of year

August 15, 2020 // by bill mckim

whale watching in new jersey best time of year
Peak times
The greatest whale activity at the Jersey Shore is between May and November. This time of year also coincides with the migrations of prey fish, as the water starts to warm in the spring.
I think the best time with the most whales and great weather conditions is September and October in Monmouth County NJ for whale watching.

Whales are usually spotted in New Jersey in the fall as they migrate from Canada to warmer waters near Florida and the Caribbean, and in the spring (April can be amazing)when they head back. The whale and dolphin watching season in New Jersey runs from March to December, and the peak time to go on a sea excursion is from June to begin of November, after that its too cold for most passengers, but the whales are still out there.We saw 4 whales in February 2023 in one day from the beach.

### Whale Watching in New Jersey: The Best Time of Year for 2024 (And Plan for 2025!)

Whale watching at the Jersey Shore has become a must-do activity for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re a nature lover or just looking for a unique adventure, seeing these magnificent creatures up close is an unforgettable experience. As we dive into 2024, it’s the perfect time to plan your trip and get the most out of the peak whale-watching season. And for those looking ahead, now is also the ideal time to plan your **2025 whale-watching adventure** with Jersey Shore Whale Watch aboard our top-rated boat, **Jersey Girl**.

#### Peak Whale Watching Season at the Jersey Shore

The peak time for whale sightings off the Jersey Shore runs from **May to November**. This period aligns with the whales’ migration routes as they follow large schools of prey fish, primarily menhaden (also called bunker), along the coast. As the waters warm in the spring, these fish move north, and the whales follow, feeding as they go. From **April to November**, the waters off **Monmouth County** become a prime feeding ground for humpback whales and occasionally other species.

While the whale-watching season spans from **March to December**, the best time for sightings occurs in **late summer and early fall**, especially during **September and October**. These months offer the perfect combination of abundant whale activity and ideal weather conditions, making them the best time for whale watching in 2024.

#### Why September and October Are the Best Months for Whale Watching

The **September and October** timeframe is truly the highlight of the whale-watching season, especially along the scenic coastline of Monmouth County, including towns like **Belmar, Asbury Park, Bradley Beach, and Deal**. Here’s why these months are the best:

– **Migration Routes**: During the fall, whales are migrating south from the cooler waters of Canada, heading toward the warmer waters near Florida and the Caribbean. As they travel along the Jersey Shore, they’re often spotted feeding close to shore.

– **Feeding Frenzy**: The waters in the fall are rich with menhaden, attracting whales and providing them with a plentiful food supply. This makes for incredible whale-watching opportunities, as the whales are often seen actively feeding, breaching, and spouting close to the boat.

– **Perfect Weather**: September and October bring mild, comfortable temperatures, perfect for spending a few hours on the water. The cooler fall air is refreshing, and the seas are typically calm, providing smooth sailing and excellent visibility for spotting marine life.

– **Multiple Sightings**: Many tours during these months report seeing **multiple whales on a single trip**—sometimes as many as 10 whales in one outing, with even more visible in the distance. It’s the best time to maximize your chances of seeing whales up close.

Whale Watching Year-Round

While **September and October** are the most popular months, whales can be seen off the coast of New Jersey at various times throughout the year.

– **Spring (April-May)**: The whale watching season kicks off as whales migrate north from the Caribbean. April is especially exciting, as mothers and calves can often be seen together as they make their way along the coast.

– **Summer (June-August)**: Summer is a busy time for whale watching, with warm weather and plenty of wildlife to see. While whales are active, you may also spot dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine animals. However, the highest concentration of whale sightings generally occurs later in the season.

– **Fall (September-November)**: This is the peak season, where the most whales are spotted due to migration and feeding patterns. It’s the perfect time for a whale-watching trip, with mild weather and clear skies making for ideal viewing conditions.

– **Winter (December-February)**: Although winter is not the busiest season, whales are still out there. In fact, in **February 2023**, we spotted four whales in one day from the beach. The cold weather makes tours less frequent, but the whales don’t disappear entirely.

#### Plan Your 2025 Whale Watching Trip Now!

While 2024 is shaping up to be a fantastic season, it’s never too early to start planning for 2025! If you’re thinking about next year, you’ll want to book your trip early and secure your spot on the **number one whale-watching boat at the Jersey Shore—Jersey Girl**.

**Jersey Girl** is the perfect vessel for a comfortable and memorable whale-watching experience. Here’s why:

– **Two Floors**: Enjoy panoramic views from the upper deck or relax in the spacious seating on the lower deck. With two levels, there’s plenty of room for everyone to enjoy a great view of the ocean and the wildlife.

– **Indoor Air Conditioning and Heating**: Whether you’re whale watching in the summer or on a crisp fall day, Jersey Girl has you covered with climate control. Stay cool in the summer and warm in the fall with both air conditioning and heating in the indoor cabins.

– **Snack Bar**: Feeling hungry while spotting whales? Our snack bar offers a variety of treats and drinks to keep you energized throughout the trip.

– **Comfortable Seating**: We offer plenty of comfortable seating, both indoors and outdoors, so you can enjoy the experience in whichever way suits you best. The upper deck also provides great visibility for photographers and whale watchers alike.

– **Onboard Restrooms**: For your convenience, we have both men’s and ladies’ restrooms on board, ensuring a comfortable and worry-free experience for all passengers.

#### Book Your 2024 and 2025 Whale Watching Adventures!

Whether you’re planning your 2024 whale-watching trip or looking ahead to 2025, **Jersey Shore Whale Watch** has you covered. September and October are the best months for whale watching, with sightings of multiple whales, dolphins, and more. And now is the perfect time to plan your 2025 adventure with us aboard the **Jersey Girl**, the top-rated boat at the Jersey Shore.

For tickets and more information, call **732.592.6400**. Join us for an unforgettable whale-watching adventure and experience the beauty of New Jersey’s coastline while witnessing the wonder of marine wildlife up close!

whale watching new jersey

August 11, 2020 // by bill mckim

We go whale watching in New Jersey from April till November, the best months for whale watching on the Jersey Shore.Whales follow the bunker fish and they are now plentiful in our area, join us bring your camera or cellphone, you will get great photos.

Spectacular Marine Wildlife On View For The Lucky Few

Imagine being just feet away from one of the world’s largest mammals in its natural habitat! Onboard our Whale Watching Cruise, you may see humpback whales, bottle-nose dolphins, pelagic birds, sea turtles, and many other species.We have the best Naturalist in the state on board our trips to inform you of the history of whaling in New York and New Jersey. Jersey Shore Whale watch is the leader in whale watching at the Jersey Shore.

best whale watching east coast

August 11, 2020 // by bill mckim

A lot of people ask the question who has the best, best whale watching east coast. I wiould say we are right near the top with over 80 trips and we usually see one or more whales in fact our record is over 80 trips and only 4 misses in 3 years so we ahace a pretty good idea. The whales are sometimes hard to spot in choppy seas or on a foggy day. We also rely on uour vast array of boat friends who might spot a whale and then tell us where they are. Fishermna seem happy to help whale watching boats as we are not competion for each other. Boats captains always return the favor to each other of all kinds of marine sights and fishing tips!

Join us whale watching we go just a couple miles off shore to where we expect to see the whales. Our trips are 3 hours long and are designed to give us enough time to spot the whales

FAQ Whale Watching

Whale Watching FAQ

Here are some of your most asked questions

Can I bring children?

All children are welcome! Please see pricing.

How Long is the Whale Watching Trip?

The trip is around 3 hours this gives us enough time to find and get to the whales. Call us anytime 732.592.6400

How do I get my Tickets for whale watching/ do you take large groups?

You can book your tickets online. You'll then be sent a reservation email; that's all you need. You can also buy tickets at the boat; however, the trip might possibly be sold out that day and there is a slight extra charge. You can purchase your tickets at: https://jerseyshorewhalewatchingtour.com/ If you need further assistance making your reservation or have inquires about larger groups or chartering the boat: Please call us at 732.592.6400

I need to change my trip date how do I do it ?

To change your trip date just email us a reply to your confirmation email telling us what you want to do and I am sure we can help you. We understand plans change and we want you to feel confident when you book with us. We will make sure you have a great trip even if you need to postpone for any reason.

Where do we park at the Belmar Marina?

There is plenty of free and paid parking. On a beautiful summer day the marina can be crowded so try parking at the Belmar Arts Center and just walk the 5 mins to the boat. You can also drive north along the marina and look for the signs that say additional parking. You will go under the RT.35 overpass; there you will see additional parking. It is a short walk back from that parking area to our boat. The docks for the charter boats are north of the Marina Grille building near the big bridge. Call us at 732.592.6400 if you are lost or need help. The GPS address for whale watching in Belmar is 905 Route 35 Belmar Marina.

Can you bring your own food and drink?

Yes! you can bring your own beverages and snacks. There are light snacks and soft beverages sold on board if you prefer. Please remember to bring your sunblock, camera or cellphone and don't forget to dress in layers! However, we do have t-shirts (long and short) and sweatshirts for sale if you need one on the trip or just want to take home a souvenir.

Will we really see a whale ?

Whale Guarantee Every Tour If you do not see a whale with us you can come again for FREE, on another trip that season prior to Labor Day. This is not a gimmick — our passion is to show guests whales. You can simply reply back to your "no whale trip" email or call us.

We're serious about finding whales.

Did you know that humpbacks, and Minke whales can travel more than 100 miles in a 24 hour period? To increase our chances of seeing whales each day, Jersey Shore Whale Watch uses a variety of tools. Over the past 6 years, our spotting network has evolved into the most sophisticated sightings network on the entire Jersey Shore. We work with other whale watch vessels, land-based spotters, researchers, dive boats, early morning fishermen, water taxis, tug boats, and ferry boats to help locate whales in the area. If the whales are here, we know it. We understand our guests’ passion to see whales in the wild — that’s why we’ve developed our guarantee. Please remember that we cannot control what the whales do or where the whales go each day. What we can give you is the highest possible chance of seeing whales due to our quick vessel speed and convenient departure locations. No company sees whales more than Jersey SHore Whale Watch — the proof is in our whale reports.

How long does the whale stay under water?

Our resident naturalist Danielle Brown will tell you that humpback whales can go as long as 45 mins without returning to the surface to breathe! We are in their feed area so being they are constantly feeding while here in New Jersey. They usually breathe every 2 to 5 minutes; making them easier to see and enjoy.

Do the tickets get mailed out fast?

Yes! The booking system is automated so you'll receive an email right away. All you need to board the boat is your paid reservation number. If you forget your number we can look it up prior to boarding. The boarding process is pretty simple! Please arrive 45 mins before departure we do not wait for late arrivals. The boat passes under a train bridge that is only raised once every 30 minutes, so we must leave on time.

Policy and rebooking's

Important Trip Information Please plan to arrive at the Jersey Girl boat, located at the far North End of the Marina, at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. Punctuality is crucial as the bridge openings are timed, and we cannot delay departure for late arrivals. Think of this as similar to an airline reservation—arriving early ensures you can find parking and board on time. We send updates via text message, so if you've opted out of text notifications, please be sure to check your email regularly for any changes related to weather or operations that might affect your trip. While our trips run rain or shine, we will cancel in the event of high seas, severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, or dense fog. Cancellations can occur up to 30 minutes before departure. Should this happen, you will be notified via both email and text. Remember, ocean weather conditions are of paramount importance. For any questions, please contact us at 732.592.6400. If you need to reschedule your reservation, please call or email us at least 24 hours before your scheduled departure. A $20 rebooking fee will apply. Failure to notify us before your trip will result in a "no-show" status. Please note that complimentary "whale check" trips must be used within the same year and are not transferable to the following year. "Whale checks" have no cash value. We look forward to seeing you soon! Thank you! Jersey Shore Whale Watch The Original Whale Watching Company

Our resident naturalist Danilelle Brown point the way. She is working on her PHD at Rutgers in Marine Biology and loves whale research

just another day at the office for Danielle with a whale breach in the background August 2020

One of our whale watching boat captains and his beautiful daughter — One of our boat captains and his beautiful daughter

SO get your family or group together and join us we even have many people that come alone on our trips! Bring your sunscreen and camera dress in layers, the ocean is cooler than inland! Any questions call us at 732.451.6003 so yes you can see whales in New Jersey and New York, join us best whale watching east coast Jersey Shore Whale watch

Whale Watching Trip Report Belmar and Asbury Park NJ Sunday June 14th

whale watching near me

August 10, 2020 // by bill mckim

This is a question many people ask? is there whale watching near me. The answer is yes We go whale watching 4 times a week in Monmouth County and can also book a private whale watching tour for you and your group during these uncertain time. We offer many trips whale watching trips in Ocean and Monmouth county.

whale watching near me

Bring the entire family on this exciting Belmar, NJ whale watching trip that you won’t soon forget! See why this is a great time to view whales off the coast of New Jersey!

call today and book your trip 732.451.6003 or online at

Coney Island, Amagansett, The Hamptons, Fire Island, Jones Beach, Rockaways, Sandy Hook, Long Beach Island, Lavallette and Point Pleasant Beach are not the only places to see whales, of course.

Despite what ANY whale watch company may claim, you can never really guarantee how many whales will be seen, or even if any whales will be seen, when you go whale watching. We can guarantee a free return ticket (aka “rain check”) if you don’t see a whale, but you can’t guarantee the whales themselves.

So here is a guarantee we will take you out again if you do not see a whale on your first trip, your 2nd trip is free!

That being said, the extremely high productivity of the Jersey Shore coastline area means that whales are usually here, often in good numbers, sometimes and that’s why we have seen whales (at least 1) on over 99% of our trips since 2018. In fact w sometimes we go years without “skunking” (a “skunk” is whale watch industry slang for a trip in which no whales were seen). Most of the time we “skunk” it is due to fog rather than lack of whales (it’s hard to find whales when you can’t see!)

So while it is impossible to say for certain how many individual whales you will see when you go whale watching the most likely answer to this question is: probably between 1 and 5. Pretty vague, huh? Well, that’s because these animals are WILD. They are not captive creatures in the confines of a zoo or aquarium, and they certainly don’t perform tricks for our amusement.

These whales are wild animals that come here to feed in the biologically rich waters the New York Bight. Their abundance is determined by the amount of food available to them. At times (many times, actually) there are so many whales in the area that we can’t possibly visit with them all in the limited time we have on the water. But at other times it takes cooperation between all whale watch boats and fishing boats in the area to find just one or two whales. We never know what we will see when we leave the dock but that’s part of the fun of whale watching! It is unscripted and unpredictable.

Okay, so if we can’t predict exactly how many whales we will see, how about the best time to go look? When is that?

Well, once again it is impossible to say what time of day, or even what time of the year is best to go whale watching because the answer to that question also changes based on the amount of food (ie small schooling fish) available to the whales.

But before we get too hung-up on the total number of whales we might see, consider these questions: If whales had not been hunted to the brink of extinction would they be the iconic symbol of endangered wildlife that they are today?

Would it still be so exciting to see a whale if seeing one was commonplace?
Our crew works very hard to locate the whales, our naturalist gives an amazing guided tour and yes bring whatever you want to eat or drink

Jersey Shore whale watch has done over 80 trips whale watching call us 732.451.6003

I suspect not. Remember that these whales are endangered! Their numbers are only a small fraction of what existed in the pre-whaling era. One of the most exciting things about seeing a wild whale is simply encountering an animal which still teeters on the brink of extinction. It is estimated that less than 1% of people living on planet Earth will see a whale in their lifetime. Therefore, any time you see a whale, even one whale, you are truly privileged. To see many whales at one time, as we often do, is a sight VERY few people will ever get a chance to see.

Groupon whale watching deals do they work?

August 2, 2020 // by bill mckim

A few people have been asking me about groupon deals this year so I figure i would write down my thoughts.

Groupon leads to bad sight lines on a boat by having too many people on board, the boat needs a certain amount of money for each trip I would rather have us all pay a few more dollars person and have less people on the boat and better sight lines for seeing the whales .

Crowded boats sell deals and groupons I do not use groupon deals as i want us all to have a safe enjoyable trip and i believe we price it fairly and we deliver.

We have chartered over 75 trips we have seen a whale on all but three of those trips!

We guarantee you will see a whale with us if you dont your next trip is free. We fill our boat with happy customers who tell their friends about the special day and safe relaxed atmosphere we provide on the ocean during these uncertain Covid 19 times We are all living in. Any questions call us at 732.451.6003

I think groupon is great for buying an item but not so great if its just going to lead to a full boat, less is more these days book now.

We are the best whale watching tour in New Jersey by far. Best sight lines from the 2 level boat , best crew and by far we have the best naturalist, narrating the trip of any boat in New Jersey. Belmar Marina is our maine location. We also run a few trips from Point Pleasant Marina.

Bill McKim
Jersey Shore Whale Watch
732.451.6003

summer 2020 one none of us will ever forget.

Belmar Marina report whale watching 7/26

July 27, 2020 // by bill mckim

Here are some photos from our whale watching trip Belmar Marina July 26 2020 Belmar New Jersey Sandy Hook area

This is how we identify the whale, by its tail.

This is how we identify the whale, by its tail.Each tail print is unique

Menhaden Fish bait fish or bunker as some call them

this was a 35 foot juvenile whale off the coast of Monmouth County

the whale swam close to us a couple times. We always stay a proper distance away but the whale follows its food source wherever it goes.

Plenty of room on our charter boat for whale watching and enjoying the day

Osprey with its catch. Atlantic Menhaden. We saw this was we were returning to Belmar Marina

Summer crowds at the jersey shore july 2th 2020

Summer crowds at the jersey shore july 2th 2020 44pm spring lake nj

July 19th trip 3 Whales today and one breached over 30 times

July 19, 2020 // by bill mckim

Full report in the morning but i felt like i was on an Alaskan Whale Watching Cruise today off Monmouth County

Sunday’s whale watching trip started out as just another normal trip on a beautiful day with a socially distanced crowd going whale watching. We headed north towards the report from earlier in the day of a whale about three or 4 miles off the coast of Monmouth Beach. We got to the area near Mount Beach, slowed down and indeed our naturalist and captain saw the spout of a whale. For 20 minutes we looked for the whale, which is an eternity when you’re on a boat. We didn’t see the whale really again, after the first two or three spouts a large dredge could come through the area and might’ve chased the whale out of the area, or to the surface on the other side of the dredge. We soon moved further north to try to find the first whale report when I saw a blow a short distance away. That was probably about 30-40 minutes into the trip, after that whale we saw a second whale and then myself and the captain saw a third whale distant behind the boat. We could see that the whale was breaching nonstop, but it was a good 2 miles away. As for the two whales closer to us, they were kind of interesting. One of them had a lot of sea lice on it, and Danielle, our naturalist, wanted to photograph it more to get its tail, but we kind of lost them. Then, we went out to the third whale, who put it on the greatest breaching show any of us had ever seen. The whale didn’t stop breaching, the entire time we were out there he must’ve breached 30 times! If there was ever a whale named after Michael Jordan, this would be the one.

One of the great things about taking people whale watching is hearing them experience when the blow is closer and make it and everybody in the boat seeing the whale. It’s amazing to hear them cheering and just in awe of nature, for most of them have never seen it before. This whale put on a show that none of us will ever probably see again, it was unbelievable, probably once-in-a-lifetime! 30 breaches all over the place, I have some fantastic photos to share with all of you, and they are below. Thanks, we hope to see you soon on Jersey Shore Whale Watch.

whale watching jersey shore family vacation

July 16, 2020 // by bill mckim

Looking for something to do on your jersey shore family vacation? Go whale watching with us from Belmar Marina Belmar New Jersey We guarantee you will see a whale and if you book a trip during the month of July you will get a free jersey shore whale watching t shirt for booking you party of 2 or more. Click here to buy tickets for whale watching belmar marina 3 hour tour

You

jersey shore whale watching tshirtClick here to buy tickets , go whale watching near me join us today at Belmar marina whale watching near me

You dont need to go all the way down to cape may whale watching to see whales , there are actually more whales right off the coast of monmouth county, cape may is great for seeing dolphins all the time , they have more dolphins down there than we do , but we have more whales feeding off the coast of Monmouth county , that is why we can guarantee you will see a whale on every trip we run, or your next trip is free!

Belmar whale watching trip review July 15 2020

July 15, 2020 // by bill mckim

Belmar whale watching trip review July 15 2020

Wednesday WAS ANOTHER GREAT DAY WHALE WATCHING THE WHALE WAS JUST 3 MILES OFF THE BEACH IN Asbury Park as we were going north toward the Sandy Hook area

Danielle, our amazing naturalist spotted the Humpback whale from about two miles away by seeing its 20-foot-high spout on the horizon. This trip is an amazing time to just get out in some real fresh ocean air and you can bring your own food and drink beer wine! We also saw a loggerhead sea turtle and spinner sharks, though they were so fast I could not photograph them and when we go closer to where they were they moved away quickly!
Summer is moving fast these days are a great book friends and family now we are absolutely social distance people on the boat, the boat also has a huge 2nd floor sun deck!

Any questions call us at 732.451.6003
jersey shore whale watch

whale watching nyc

Here are two ways to get to belmar

Belmar Marina trips all summer long

whale watching trip review belmar new jersey — Loggerhead Sea Turtle

whale tail Humpback whale asbury park nj

Belmar whale watching tour review July 12 2020

July 13, 2020 // by bill mckim

The normality you feel while being outdoor on a warm summer day with the ocean breeze in your face helps you forget about the Covid 19 at least for a few hours, said one passenger yesterday aboard our whale watching trip

Humpback and Dolphin Love 🐋🐬❤️
Tail flukes, pectoral fin slaps, looks like he’s waving 👋 🐋 lunge feeding, missed that picture.
A pod of dolphins smiling as they bow in and out of the water 🐬🌊 gorgeous animals, so. much. fun.

The above is what one regular customer posted about yesterdays trip review whale watching from Belmar

Sunday was a fun trip first We headed south towards Manasquan to follow a whale reported in the area by a large fishing boat describing the whale whale as large and grey, this could be a Fin whale. We searched the area with clear skies we could see many miles in each direction. We did not see the whae so we headed north towards Asbury Park about 3 miles off the coast of the beach in asburypark we spotted a whale! the whale did a few behaviors as we watched from a safe distance. Our naturalist pointed out lunge feed , tail slapping and 2 mins of loud fin slapping, oh and we all got to smell whale breath! Our captain Alan did a great job of staying in a good viewing range of this very active whale Sunday.

We all enjoyed the relaxed family atmosphere of the 2 deck whale watching boat . Join us soon call to book your trip 732.451.6003 or buy online at www.jerseyshorewhalewatch.com

Humpback and Dolphin Love 🐋🐬❤️ Tail flukes, pectoral fin slaps, looks like he’s waving 👋 🐋 lunge feeding, missed that picture. A pod of dolphins smiling as they bow in and out of the water 🐬🌊 gorgeous animals, so. much. fun.

We also saw many dolphins near the whale they were swimming together for a while

Along this three-hour tour, we point out all the various marine life – sea turtle ... Bring the entire family on this exciting Belmar, NJ whale watching trip — Along this three-hour tour, we point out all the various marine life – sea turtle … Bring the entire family on this exciting Belmar, NJ whale watching trip

Whale Watching camera tips whale watching photography is fun

July 12, 2020 // by bill mckim

Bring your good camera, it wont get wet the boat is huge, but was also bring a camera bag to protect it while we are going to the whale watching area.

Composition

As you probably know, composition is key. That being said, photographing from above does not compliment the enormous whale. Shooting from the 2nd florr crows makes the whale appear smaller that if you stay on the boats deck so we recommend staying there. Which leads us to our next point

Positioning

While being at the front might seem the most sensible thing to do, it’s also the most popular spot. But you’re out there to get in some amazing frames of the whales and you will need a little space to move around. Thus our photographer Bill Mckim recommends staying at the back of the right hand side on the boat. The captain will most often need to turn the boat so he sees the whale clearly for all safety, and if it happens that he’ll choose to have the whale at the left hand side, it will only take 5 seconds to change. There are less people back here and you are away from the iphone crowd!

Manual – Aperture Priority mode (Av)

While I would in almost all situations recommend the Manual mode as it opens doors to photographing in new ways I wouldn’t recommend it while out there. With constant changes in light and the clouds moving around, it’s difficult to be always looking at the built-in meter to decide on aperture and shutter speed. Instead I would recommend the aperture priority mode, setting your ISO as high as you trust your camera to handle (without noise creeping in), and then setting your aperture as high as the lightning allows (A high aperture will reduce the damage if you don’t get the focus on point) . A good rule of thumb is to never let the shutter speed get lower that 1/2000s as you will risk having your photos shaky. I like to shoot at around 4000 of a second.

Comparison

This tip is a one I love. Often you’ll have the luck to have birds all around, getting one in your frame for comparison to the whale is really fun to underline the size of the whales. But when the birds just don’t go into the frame you can get really creative, putting people inside the frame or even holding some things in front of the camera (if your lens is wide enough)!

Lenses

This is a common question and the answer is: Just take the your camera bag! Given that you don’t carry more than 2 lenses, you can take your camera bag – with the lenses, onboard. You can keep it inside the steering house and then take it out and switch lenses later on! It’s crucial on a trip like this to have options – If you got a good zoom lens 100-400 is my go to lens for whale watching(100-400mm, 70-200mm) that would be ideal for the first minutes of the tour but then when we get closer it’s great to be able to grab a wider lens (24-105mm).

Whale Watching and COVID-19 Prevention Measures

July 10, 2020 // by bill mckim

Jersey Shore Whale Watch has resumed daily operations for whale watching and harbor tours

Face covering is need for boarding the ship , not when seated on the ship but we want you to wear it if you are up and moving around or in the bow of the boat, the boat is huge so there is plenty of sight lines to see the whales and we have had our best breaches when the whale has been to the rear of the boat.

Jersey Shore Whale Watch has been closely monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak and adhering to the guidelines provided by the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, State and City officials.

RMB crew has been maintaining the fleet, both mechanically and sanitarily, at all areas of our vessels and facilities in which passengers and crew come into contact. Some of the measures we have implemented include:

– Disinfectant solution will be available on vessel for public use.
– Passengers will be required to wear face covering, as per NJ State guidelines.
– Crew is required to wear face masks and will be provided with non-medical grade covering.
– Crew is required to wash their hands at least every 30 minutes.
– Crew is required to submit temperature checks before the start of every shift.
– Loading will be executed by using space marks, to allow for distancing between guests, thus avoiding crowded lines.
– All indoor areas will have door air circulation to allow air flow, by means of open doors and windows
– Vessel capacities have been adjusted to avoid large gatherings and to provide social distancing.
– Only packaged snacks and drinks will be served on board.You can BYOB and your own snacks

– Soap, Purell and disposable towels available on vessels.
– Guided passenger flow on the vessel to avoid crowds.
– Indoor areas will be monitored to limit the amount of people that can be inside at any one time.

Additionally, all employees have been given guidelines from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which include; wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

We have been taking employees’ temperatures daily before reporting to work. Employees that are ill or displaying signs of illness (fever, cough) do not report to work. Employees have been practicing social distancing and wear masks. Additional measures will be implemented as directed by our state leaders as we all safely return to normal.

Click here for: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19

,Jersey Shore Whale Watch will communicate with passengers through our e-mail newsletter, our. We will update as new information is revealed and we will advise when our tours will be operating again.

The health and well-being of our passengers and crew are our highest priority. We truly appreciate the trust that you place in us when you choose to board our vessels. We are all in this together and will get through these challenging times.

Please be safe and we will see you aboard our vessels soon.

Thank you,

Jersey Shore Whale Watch and the crew of the RMB

July 8th whale watching trip report

July 8, 2020 // by bill mckim

Wednesday, July 8 Whale Watching report:

We had a great socially distanced whale watching trip a great group of people some with some very nice Canon Cameras and lens!

Great group of people, the boat has 2 levels plenty of sight lines and room to spread

We left Belmar Marina at 1:30 PM, and headed north towards Asbury Park fixing to go up towards Sea Bright. There we saw the first of the three whales we saw today. Captain Alan spotted the whale about a mile away from us and made his way towards it; it was great to see. Then Danielle, our naturalist, spotted the second whale about 30 minutes later a little bit to the north of us. The third whale appeared while we were watching the second whale. The second one breached a few times and the third well was doing chain lunges. Everyone on the boat was thrilled; we had a lot of returning customers, and some new faces too. It was a great day on the ocean. I got some sea spray from the warm ocean water on the way back. Speaking of, the water was beautiful and clear; you could see many dolphins everywhere we went today. Join us soon at Jersey Shore Whale Watch, great family fun. We do not overcrowd the boat, we guarantee you will see a whale and you’ll get some fresh air.

Whales stay under the water usually 3-5 min but they can stay under 45 mins. Feeding whales we see in our area need to come up for air more often so that is great for our viewing! Jersey Shore whale watch wants to thank Captain Alan for giving us an additional 30 mins with the whales today so our trip was 3 1/2 hours long !

Sunday July 5th Whale watching review

July 6, 2020 // by bill mckim

We had a small group Sunday, but we had fun and were well rewarded with many sightings. We had a hard time deciding whether to look to look left or right, we were out on one of are farther out trips near where the Sea Bass eat and live about 8 miles off shore! We saw at least four different whales, and many dolphins too, some as close to Belmar as just outside the mouth of Shark River.

Danielle our naturalist was able to confirm that the whales were around 35 feet long and were lunge feeding and it was beautiful to see. Whale breath is a unique smells you sometimes get if you are close and downwind from a blowing whale as it surfaces. The sound is loud, and the smell is… Well, lets says unique!

I promise you we do not overcrowd the boat, and we ask everyone to wear a mask while boarding until seated. We want a safe enjoyable trip for everyone. This past weekend we had little children to adults over 80 years, we are respectful of everyone during these times.

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Mud Hole

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar Mud hole

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

: Jersey shore whale watch trip photos july 6 2020 Belmar

June 3rd 2020 whale watching report Long Branch NJ

June 3, 2020 // by billmckim

Trip report: The weather was perfect; there was a nice, warm, ocean breeze once we were on the water. At first it was chilly, but I was fine with a long sleeved t-shirt. The ocean water was very calm on the way up towards Sandy Hook beach, but on the way back it was a little choppy.

June 3rd 2020 whale watching report Long Branch NJ
We are happy to report a whale sighting off the coast of Long Brach New Jersey today.
We did not get to see or photograph the whale’s tail, and it took a while to find it, but the sight was beautiful regardless. Join us whale watching soon with the best crew and captain on the Jersey Shore, our next trip is June 14th!

Dolphins right outside the Shakr river this morning

whale watching near me

November 11, 2019 // by bill mckim

We want to let you know that whale watching near me, Monmouth County has become the hotbed for whale watching in New Jersey.

Jersey shore whale watching tour has seen whales on 47 of 50 trips in the last two years. We our the only tour company that guarantees you will see a whale or your next trip is free.We leave most trips from the marina in Belmar depending on the size of our group We use different boats so you never feel crowded! Danielle our narrator on most trip will tell you all about the whales you are seeing along the coastline of New Jersey. Every trip is unique as the Humpback whales are wild animals and therefore We have no idea what their behavior will be on any given day. The whales are here to feed on the bunker fish called Menhaden and many times you will experience them lunge feeding through a large school of bait fish.

Whale watching is very sage our crew is very experienced on the water and our boats all have mens and ladies bathroom and full kitchens that serve food during the trips.

You can bring our own beer or wine on board our trips as long as you are 21 years old or above. Please use cans you dont want a beer bottle dropping and breaking on the floor!Wine bottles are fine, dress in layers and remember to bring sunblock!

November whale watching has been awesome

November 11, 2019 // by bill mckim

[click_to_tweet tweet=”November whale watching photos Jersey shore whale watch” quote=”A unique trip close to home!”]November whale watching has been awesome. We have seen whales in Spring Lake New Jersey and Bay Head beach this week on our trip Here are some photos. Jersey shore whale watch guarantees you will see a whale! We went on 26 trips in 2019 and saw whales on 24 trips! Why do we have such a good whale watching success rate, We only go out in good weather, so the whales are easier to find. Bad weather days can be good whale watching days but its harder to see the whale spout when its raining!

Some November whale watching photos from our trip down toward Island Beach State Park last week. Cruising along in the ocean looking at Seaside Heights boardwalk from the ocean near sunset was unique.I think everyone on the boat enjoyed the views of the whales with Island Beach State Park and Bayhead Nj in the background.

Book a private whale watching trip in 2020, We have many size boats available to take your birthday group or family out for an amazing day on the ocean. Call us at 732.451.6003 and ask about our prvaite whale watching tours We can go to many places including the New York City skyline, this is a unique trip. Book your whale watching trip today with Jersey shore whale watch.

All five of our unique boats are available for private boat charters in Monmouth and Ocean County. From the luxurious motor yacht, to the small and speedy Fast Cat, the sailing catamaran, and more! Explore all of our different boats and select your favorite for your private boat charter experience. All of our boat rentals at the Jersey shore are operated by our experienced and friendly captains and crew.We have a naturalist on board to tell you about everything you are seeing.

Jersey Shore whale watch since 2016 has been showing people the real giants of the ocean.

Nick G.

5 star rating

11/04/19

Great time

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!

Another Great Trip End of September 9/29 whale watching photos Belmar Bill Mckim

October 1, 2019 // by bill mckim

hal

Another Great Trip End of September 9/29. whales were jumping and we saw over 100 Dolphins while out whale watching as soon as We left the mouth of the shark river in Belmar/Avon by the sea. The weather was perfect as you can see from the photos, We were all happy to have such a beautiful fall day on the ocean, Join us soon it really worth it We go out on Sunday, we had a over 70 people on our boat we can legally carry 130 people so thee was plenty of room, and remember the boat has two full size bathroom on board! We also have a small snack bar and an air conditioned our heated indoor cabin that is huge. Order tickets at www.billmckim.com

Whale Watching trip report Aug 18 2019 , Just amazing ! A Triple Breach

August 19, 2019 // by billmckim

Whale Watching trip report Aug 18 2019 , Just amazing ! A Triple Breach
Perfect hot summer weather brought a huge near capacity crowd to the boat everyone was thrilled to see a triple breach! The whale off the coast of Asbury Park was amazing. The Humpback whale breached 3 times in a row , yes i got the first two breaches perfectly the third wtotally out of focus but i will still share it with all of you.

The best comment of the day was by Billy, a great name by the way.. We were coming back into the Shark river in Belmar and billy who works on the boat as a crew and see whales all the time says to me , ” Even i got excited today and I see whales everyday out here!

jersey shore whale watching tour bill mckim

even with a near full boat there was plenty of room on the 2nd floor

Danielle and our captain Alan did an amazing job yesterday

jersey shore whale watching tour photos bill mckim 2019

Part of the triple breaching humpback whale off of Belmar – Asbury park yesterday

On the third breach in 1 minutes time i was not really ready for it or expecting it!

Our first

sightsing was withing 15 mins of leaving Belmar Marina join us soon 732.451.6003

Jersey Shore Whale Watch Photo Contest

July 31, 2019 // by billmckim

Jersey Shore Whale Watch Photo Contest

July 24th Whale Watching Trip Photos

July 26, 2019 // by billmckim

We had a large film crew from Rutgers University with us on this trip they filmed our naturalist Danielle M. Brown, M.S.
@RutgersEENR
PhD student studying humpback whale foraging ecology, Lead Humpback Whale Researcher with
@gothamwhale
, stranding response/necropsy volunteer
We had many opportunities to photograph breaching whale, feeding whale, logging whale moves join us on our next trip Sunday July 28th We leave from Belmar marina at 1:30pm.

This is an amazing experience we had a few birthday parties on the boat also

whale watching at the coast of new jersey and new york city

We guarantee you will see a whale!

July 10, 2019 // by billmckim

Brand new program starting July 2019!

The Jersey Shore Whale watch is the only whale watching boat that we know of to offer whale Checks. A whale check is our guarantee and commitment to you. If you come out on a paid trip with us and we are unable to see any whales, you will get to come back this season for free to have another opportunity to see them. While we do see whales very often (Over 96% of the time), we sometimes get unlucky, and that is why we came up with whale checks to truly guarantee our customers a chance at seeing a whale. We go even further in 2020 if we need to extend the trip to find the whale we will, only three times in 2020 did we not seen a whale!

Our trips along the coastline of New Jersey are educational and a relaxing day on the ocean. See you soon, any questions call us at 732.451.6003

whale watching trip review belmar marina jersey shore whale watch photos by bill mckim

Some tips and tricks for our whale watch.

July 10, 2019 // by billmckim

Some tips and tricks for our whale watch.

Bring sunscreen, could be out in the sun for a while
Look all around the boat for whales, they don’t tend to stay in one spot for long
Keep an eye out for other animals, dolphins are a common sight on the whale watches
Always have a camera ready, you’ll never know when a whale will decide to jump out of the water
Keep an eye out for water spouts, as a whale breaching usually soon follows
Stay hydrated, and bring your own water bottle for the trip
Bringing your own snacks and drinks is allowed on the trip
Come early to get familiar with the boat
Go onto the second floor of the boat, it has lounge chairs and an excellent view
Pay attention to Danielle, as she has very interesting information about the whales and is usually one of the first to spot the whale

June 27th Jersey Shore Whale Watch Report

June 28, 2019 // by billmckim

June 27th Whale Watch

An excellent whale watch, with many whales seen off the Jersey Shore. Here’s some pictures taken from the whale watches below!

Kids love whale watching trips.

May 21, 2019 // by billmckim

We take a very large safe boats to go whale watching some of the boats can hold as many as 80 people so you don’t have to worry about anything about safety on the boats will be a great time great trip kids of all ages love it I’m not sure I would bring an infant there’s really no reason so if you’re going to really remember anything I would probably gets in the way of the parents are in good time just having to hold the baby the whole time brother was young children are welcome to come on the whale watching trip we leave out of Belmar we do weekdays and weekends weekends

Whale sightings off Belmar this week

April 12, 2019 // by billmckim

I have spoken to a couple of boat captains finback whales of Belmar off the coast of belmar this week we will be going whale watching in May we won’t be going in April because the fin back whales or migrating north up towards Cape Cod Fish just kind of passing through the area so we will be waiting till the whale are feeding in the in the area is the humpback whales feeding the air is off of Sandy Hook down to Manasquan inlet and we know it’s more predictable trip we will see whales. Whale watching is a fun join is https://jerseyshorewhalewatchingtour.com Jersey Shore Whale Watch Tour

Whales along the jersey shore

April 3, 2019 // by billmckim

I haven’t really seen too many this winter looking forward to seeing more humpback wells of the beach and Belmar should be starting next week or so then just picks up and gets really big in the fall you’ll see a lot of whales in the fall

Jersey shore whale watch 2019 bill mckim

Whale watching spring lake new jersey bill mckim tour

jersey shore whale watch long sleeve tshirt

whale breaching off the coast of Monmouth county new jersey June 25th 2018

jersey shore whale watch — Jersey shore whale watch tour

Great year of whale watching at the Jersey shore

December 2, 2018 // by billmckim

We had a great time whale watching in Belmar New jersey and will do more in 2019

NYC in the background for this whales photo!

October 14th whale watching tour report.

October 15, 2018 // by billmckim

These seasonal migrations completed by the Humpback Whales are considered the longest migration paths performed by any mammal.

Jersey shore whale watching tour bill mckim photos

Jersey shore whale watching tour bill mckim photos

whale tail asbury park NJ — Jersey shore whale watching tour bill mckim photos

Here are a few photos from the trip yesterday the whale was spotted off Long Branch.

We saw many ,many dolphins and a whale off the coast of Long Branch Sunday. We traveled Sunday morning north from Belmar searching for whales. We have had 11 trips this years and 10 of them we have seen whales on.

Join us this fall on a quick local funtrip to see whhales along the jersey shore.