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Blue Whales, Humpbacks & Dolphins - Oh My! Article by Jan Hopkins |
| WAVE Journey |
| Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences ~ Your Journey Starts Here! |
A Woman's Directory For Travel and Life.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented businesses and
services around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor
activities this website is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or
if you are interested in finding businesses or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your
number one online resource.
WAVE Journey is your one-stop online resource for women-oriented businesses and
services around the world.
WAVE Journey is for every woman to enjoy. If you love to travel, cook, read or revel in outdoor
activities this website is for you. If you are looking to connect with other like-minded women or
if you are interested in finding businesses or services that cater to women, WAVE Journey is your
number one online resource.
It was a Cold and Dreary Morning! The kind of morning where you want to snuggle up in bed and
dream of tropical islands! But, 6:00 a.m. and we were up and “at em!” The Whales were calling
and we were getting ready to join the tour from Monterey Bay Whale Watch out to the edge of
Monterey Bay.
dream of tropical islands! But, 6:00 a.m. and we were up and “at em!” The Whales were calling
and we were getting ready to join the tour from Monterey Bay Whale Watch out to the edge of
Monterey Bay.
Preparations
Our directions told us to be at the “MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH CENTER”
at 8:30 a.m. So, getting all the warm clothing on that we could find (looked
like we were heading to the North Pole) and packing a lunch big enough
for all day (if we had to stay there that long) took awhile. Plus, having
breakfast is highly recommended to forestall seasickness. Also, take
Dramamine and be sure to bring plenty of water to drink - seeing all that
water in the ocean makes you very thirsty!
Our directions told us to be at the “MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH CENTER”
at 8:30 a.m. So, getting all the warm clothing on that we could find (looked
like we were heading to the North Pole) and packing a lunch big enough
for all day (if we had to stay there that long) took awhile. Plus, having
breakfast is highly recommended to forestall seasickness. Also, take
Dramamine and be sure to bring plenty of water to drink - seeing all that
water in the ocean makes you very thirsty!
Parking
Parking is very easy, as Fisherman’s Wharf (Wharf #1) has a large parking
lot, payable by the hour and when you exit. Walk down the Wharf with all
the restaurants and shops; near the end TURN RIGHT at Isabella’s
Restaurant and follow the sign that says “Monterey Bay Whale Watch
Center.
Note:
Be sure to check in one-half hour before your departure time.
Parking is very easy, as Fisherman’s Wharf (Wharf #1) has a large parking
lot, payable by the hour and when you exit. Walk down the Wharf with all
the restaurants and shops; near the end TURN RIGHT at Isabella’s
Restaurant and follow the sign that says “Monterey Bay Whale Watch
Center.
Note:
Be sure to check in one-half hour before your departure time.
Pregnant?
The first thing you do is sign a form from the Coast Guard stating that you
are not pregnant (NOPE! PREGNANT LADIES CAN’T COME – but as the sign
says “Congratulations anyway”!).
Also, if you have a heart problem you will not be able to come. The trip is
four hours long so you need to be able to be on the boat for that long with
no major problems. There always seem to be someone with seasickness so
go prepared and you will enjoy the trip much more.
The first thing you do is sign a form from the Coast Guard stating that you
are not pregnant (NOPE! PREGNANT LADIES CAN’T COME – but as the sign
says “Congratulations anyway”!).
Also, if you have a heart problem you will not be able to come. The trip is
four hours long so you need to be able to be on the boat for that long with
no major problems. There always seem to be someone with seasickness so
go prepared and you will enjoy the trip much more.
Boat
By 9:00 a.m. we were motoring out of the harbor, past the breakwater
loaded with sea lions. It was fascinating to see how they drape themselves
all over each other and seem to be perfectly happy!
The boat is the Sea Wolf II and the captain is Richard Ternullo. He has been
running natural history trips for over 25 years. He is also a seasoned
naturalist and also accompanying him was a Marine Biologist, Kate Spencer.
On most trips, the owner Nancy Black is the other marine biologist. She is
currently involved in several research and education programs.
By 9:00 a.m. we were motoring out of the harbor, past the breakwater
loaded with sea lions. It was fascinating to see how they drape themselves
all over each other and seem to be perfectly happy!
The boat is the Sea Wolf II and the captain is Richard Ternullo. He has been
running natural history trips for over 25 years. He is also a seasoned
naturalist and also accompanying him was a Marine Biologist, Kate Spencer.
On most trips, the owner Nancy Black is the other marine biologist. She is
currently involved in several research and education programs.
Cruising
Cruising out to the end of the Monterey Bay takes about 45 minutes and
then the dolphins show up. So many you can’t even count them – a great
display of creatures looking like they are having so much fun!
Watching
Then after a short time the captain cruises a little further until he spots the
Humpback Whales. What a sight to behold! They seemed to be all over the
ocean – some coming up, others going down. There were mothers and
babies feeding on krill (a small type of shell fish – millions of them) The
whales feed on them during the summer after they have had their babies
in the South (in Mexico) and then stop here for food and then on up to
Alaska.
Cruising out to the end of the Monterey Bay takes about 45 minutes and
then the dolphins show up. So many you can’t even count them – a great
display of creatures looking like they are having so much fun!
Watching
Then after a short time the captain cruises a little further until he spots the
Humpback Whales. What a sight to behold! They seemed to be all over the
ocean – some coming up, others going down. There were mothers and
babies feeding on krill (a small type of shell fish – millions of them) The
whales feed on them during the summer after they have had their babies
in the South (in Mexico) and then stop here for food and then on up to
Alaska.
Also, Blue Whales (almost the size of the boat) are quite a sight to see.
Wow, nature at it’s best!
The Marine Biologist, Kate gave us great information . In fact, more
information than you can absorb in a short period of time, but she was able
to point out all the different species and tell us about each one.
About two hours are spent floating around the ocean looking at whales,
dolphins, and sea birds of all descriptions. It was amazing how time went
by and then it was 45 minute cruise back to the harbor. The length of the
trip is approximately four hours (maybe a little more at times depending on
the ocean).
All in all it was the most exciting day you could have on the Monterey
Peninsula. Do plan on taking this excursion during a visit to the Monterey
area – the season is pretty long so even in the winter there are whales to
be seen.
Wow, nature at it’s best!
The Marine Biologist, Kate gave us great information . In fact, more
information than you can absorb in a short period of time, but she was able
to point out all the different species and tell us about each one.
About two hours are spent floating around the ocean looking at whales,
dolphins, and sea birds of all descriptions. It was amazing how time went
by and then it was 45 minute cruise back to the harbor. The length of the
trip is approximately four hours (maybe a little more at times depending on
the ocean).
All in all it was the most exciting day you could have on the Monterey
Peninsula. Do plan on taking this excursion during a visit to the Monterey
area – the season is pretty long so even in the winter there are whales to
be seen.
If You Go:
MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH CENTER
Tel: 831 375-4658
e-mail: mbww@gowhales.com
http://www.montereybaywhalewatch.com/index.htm
MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH CENTER
Tel: 831 375-4658
e-mail: mbww@gowhales.com
http://www.montereybaywhalewatch.com/index.htm
BIO:
Jan Hopkins is a freelance travel writer based in Carmel, California.
Read more of Jan's articles.
Jan Hopkins is a freelance travel writer based in Carmel, California.
Read more of Jan's articles.