The DC Traveler

Whale Watching on the Atlantic

by Jon on February 17th, 2008

Ever see a whale up close in its natural environment?  Now you can too off the coast if Virginia, on a whale watching boat tour.

I had the lucky experience on a dive boat, while scuba diving off of the Big Island of Hawaii several years ago. 

My encounter occurred while cruising to a new dive site, a pod of about ten humpback whales, ranging from 10-foot calves to 45-foot adults, came within about 20 feet of our boat. 

The experience was something I’ll never forget. My only regret was that I couldn’t (by law) jump in the water with them. To protect the whales, swimmers/divers have to be in the water and the whales need to come to you.

Every winter, humpback whales move to warmer southern waters during their annual migration. Whales can be spotted along the Pacific coast as well as along our Atlantic coast. And the closest place to Washington, DC to take a whale watching boat tour is from Virginia Beach, just a 3-hour drive from DC.

Through March 16th, daily 2-3 hour whale watching tours depart from the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center in Virginia Beach.  

While whale sightings are not guaranteed, there is a good chance you might see either migrating humpback whales or fin whales. 

The whales you may encounter off the coast of Virginia Beach may not be as friendly as this gray curious whale off of Baha, Mexico shown in the first video clip.  But if you don’t encounter any whales on your cruise, check out the IMAX film Whales, at the Virginia Aquarium after your cruise.

And when a 45-foot dead Pacific Gray whale washes up on the Oregon coast and you try to find a way to dispose of it, dynamite is definitely NOT the answer… (from Nov. 1970).

Whale Watching off Virginia Beach
The Virginia Aquarium
717 General Booth Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA. 23451

Whale Watching Tours Dates and Times - Thursdays and Fridays - 2:30 p.m., weekends - 9:00 a.m., Noon & 3:00 p.m.

Whale Watching Tickets - Adults - $28, kids 4-11 - $24.00. Tickets are available at the Aquarium or at the dock. For additional information, call 1-757-385-FISH.

Museum Hours  and Admission - Daily - 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.  Adults - $11.95, Seniors -$10.95, kids 3-11 - $7.95

Attire - Dress VERY warmly and bring your camera.

Images - Flickr

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POSTED IN: Attractions, Family Fun, Scenic & Short Trips, Tours – Guided or Self-guided, Video