bunker fish

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

June 25th Whale Watching Trip Photos

June 25, 2018 // by billmckim

Jersey shore whale watching bill mckim june25th-4771

June 25th Whale Watching Trip Photos
The Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) is a North American species of fish in the herring … Humpback whales off the coast of New Jersey feed on Atlantic menhaden
We took out over 30 people on the boat today, (the new boat can handle up to 100 people!) and saw a large pool of Dolphins and then just when people were worried we would not see the star of the show.The first mate Harry spotted a whale!

bunker fish

FAQ Whale Watching

whale watching nyc

June 27th Whale Watch

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