Whale Watching

Thar she blows! Humpbacks and Fin Whales and Right Whales…Oh My!!!

The whales are back in Virginia Beach! Whale watching is an amazing winter experience from the end of December until the middle of March. Fin whales, Humpback, and Right Whales are seen off the Virginia Beach coast and in the Chesapeake Bay.

Did you know that Virginia Beach is the “children’s play area” for juvenile Humpback Whales?

Sightings of Humpback Whales are increasing for the last 2 weeks. Most of the Humpback whales that you see are juveniles. They mainly stay near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay where food is plentiful, while the adults continue to the Caribbean to mate. “Mom” and “Dad” pick up their offspring on the way back north where the whole family summers. Humpback Whales are the one of the most majestic and exhilarating to watch due to their immense size and graceful athleticism. Their migration route is from the Bay of Fundy to the Caribbean.

The Fin Whale, is second in size only to the blue whale, making it the second largest animal on earth. Long and streamlined, Fin Whales have great speed capabilities and powerful, low-pitched sounds.

The endangered North Atlantic Right Whales migrate through Virginia Beach as well. Pregnant females pass through this area around December to reach their birthing grounds down the coast in Georgia and Florida.

Tips for Enjoying a Winter Wildlife Boat Trip

• Layer in warm clothing: water-proof jackets, warm socks, hats, gloves and scarves. Remember that it will be about 20 degrees colder on the water than on land.
• Watch the weather and plan! It may be beautiful when you are going out, but remember that you have to come back in. Our Carefree Boat Club Dockmaster will let members know if the conditions are not safe to go out to the bay or ocean. We also hear where the recent or current whale sightings are happening from listening the Coast Guard channel and from the commercial fisherman and other boaters coming in and out Long Bay Pointe Marina.
• Remember to pack your camera and binoculars.
• Don’t forget your sunglasses and sunscreen. Yes, it may be cold, but protect your skin and eyes from the UV rays!!
• Be respectful of the whales, other boaters (don’t cut across fishing lines, etc…), and the environment!
• Make the most out of this interesting adventure, even if you do not manage to see everything that you had hope to see. Harbor seals hang out on the CBBT, sea otters, herons, egrets, and so much more wildlife to see!