Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center Inc

12/20/2024

The THIRD North Atlantic Right whale calf observed off VIRGINIA BEACH by Mid-Atlantic Whale Monitoring Project! 🍼👏

12/18/2024

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🎁 Give the ultimate gift of ocean adventure with a season pass! Unlimited whale and dolphin watching (2hr & 3hr trips) for 2025!
➡https://capemaywhalewatch.com/gift-cards/
📞(609)-898-0055

12/18/2024

We have identifications for the North Atlantic Right whales! Welcome to Cape May AVALANCHE ( #4440) and the 2022 Calf (Currently unnamed/catalogued) of TRIPELAGO ( #2614)! Migrate safely 🩵

12/15/2024

12hr Pelagic Trip Summary - December 14th, 2024
Highlights include:
2 North Atlantic Right whales
Common dolphins
Razorbill
Dovekie
Manx Shearwater
Red Phalarope
Black-legged Kittiwake - everywhere!
Bonaparte's gulls
Northern gannet
& So much more!
🐋
We were extremely fortunate to observe not one but TWO CRITICALLY ENDANGERED North Atlantic Right Whale off our coast! The individual whales were identified by the New England Right Whale Research Program as AVALANCHE ( #4440) and the 2022 Calf (Currently unnamed/catalogued) of TRIPELAGO ( #2614)!
North Atlantic Right Whales have an estimated population size of less than 370 individuals with less than a third being breeding females. Vessel strikes and entanglement are two of the top fatalities of Right Whales. One animal did have healed entanglement scars near the tail. The whales were socializing at the surface with many unique tactile behaviors!
The data we collect at the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center is incredibly important for the health of our marine mammal populations in , . We wish these whales a SAFE migration South!
If you see a Right Whale, report it by calling (866)-755-6622, alert the U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic on channel 16 or submit to the Whale Alert app.
🐋
We participate with Whale SENSE and follow all marine mammal viewing guidelines. All photos are cropped from a 500mm lens.
🐋
📸: Naturalist Melissa and Research Intern Mackenzie
Sailing weekends!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055
🐋
New England Aquarium
Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at NEAQ

12/13/2024

❄ December Whale Watching 🐋
12hr Marine Mammal and Pelagic Bird Trip: December 14th & 31st
3hr Whale, Dolphin, and Bird Cruise: December 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, and 29th.
www.capemaywhalewatch.com
See you on the American Star ✨

12/11/2024

Our naturalist Dr. Michael Denk was invited by beaked whale expert Anton van Helden to participate in the study of this extremely rare spade-toothed whale in New Zealand. Dr. Denk’s objectives involved documentation of head anatomy and pathology in this animal, as well as obtaining CT scans. Few individuals of this extremely deep-diving and elusive whale species have ever been found, and they are in great need of this research to better understand and protect them!
🐳
📸 & 📄: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/10/science/spade-toothed-whale-new-zealand-intl-hnk?cid=ios_app

12/09/2024

December Whale & Dolphin Watching ❄🐋
This past weekend we observed a pod of inshore Bottlenose dolphins and 2 Humpback whales! Marine mammals can be observed off Cape May all year! Join us for a winter cruise on the American Star!
📸: Naturalist Dan
www.capemaywhalewatch.com
(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and view our marine mammals respectfully.

12/04/2024

The first, of hopefully many, Right whale calves this season. Every individual counts 🍼🩷

Exciting right whale news! 🎉🐋

The first right whale mom and calf pair of the 2024–2025 calving season was seen off the coast of Georgia on December 1. Aerial observers spotted 31-year-old female Nauset (Catalog #2413) swimming with her fifth known calf off of Sapelo Island.

Learn more about Nauset and stay up to date on this year’s calving season, with information curated by our Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life right whale scientists: https://bit.ly/49ekQnz

📸: Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, taken under NOAA permit #26919. Funded by Georgia DNR and NOAA Fisheries.

12/03/2024

December whale watching in Cape May ❄️🐋
On Sunday we observed 3 Humpback whales, transient Bottlenose dolphins, thousands of birds including Northern gannets, Scoter ducks, Loons, and so much more! The Humpbacks were hungry and the Bottlenose dolphins were following along, hitching a ride!
📸: Research Interns Michelle and Sam
Sailing weekends at 1:30pm!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and follow all regional marine mammal viewing guidelines.

12/03/2024

🌊✨This , join us in making waves for marine mammal conservation at the Cape May Marine Mammal Research Center 501c3! 🐬💙 Your support empowers our mission to promote the conservation of marine mammals through research, education, and community outreach.
📸 Spotlight on Bottlenose Dolphin Surveys! 🐬📷
Did you know that every dorsal fin is unique like a human fingerprint? Our dedicated team utilizes photo-identification to study our local Bottlenose dolphin populations. We're coming up on our last week of dedicated surveys this season together with the Cape May Point Science Center. By documenting these distinctive dorsal fins, we gain invaluable insights into their behavior, migration, and overall health.
Visit https://shorturl.at/cs3ur to make a tax deductible donation and support our mission today! We thank you for your generosity and positive impact for our marine mammals!

11/29/2024

Gift the gift of ocean adventure this holiday season! ⛴
🎁Save 20% off Gift Cards of ANY value!
🎁2025 Season Passes now available!
Use Promo Code: HOLIDAY

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours! 🦃
We are grateful for our amazing team, passengers, and of course, the marine mammals and wildlife we all share a passion for.
Have a safe and wonderful holiday and we'll see you this weekend on the American Star! 🐋
https://capemaywhalewatch.com/cruises/whale-dolphin-bird-watch/

11/26/2024

A wonderful Sunday well spent with 2 Humpback whales off Cape May and Wildwood. We are ready to whale watch until December 31st. Who's joining us on the American Star?!
📸: Research Interns Michelle, Sam, and Meredith
Sailing weekends at 1:30pm!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and view our marine mammals responsibly.

11/18/2024

We have a Right whale ID! 😁 Wishing a safe Southern migration to Musketeer!

During our 3hr Whale, Dolphin, and Bird watch today, we were extremely fortunate to observe a CRITICALLY ENDANGERED North Atlantic Right Whale off our coast! The whale was identified as #4360, Musketeer, by the New England Right Whale Research Program!
Musketeer was first documented off Nova Scotia in 2013. Still today, her s*x and exact age is not known. Maybe she will be one of the females to give birth in 2025!
North Atlantic Right Whales have an estimated population size of less than 370 individuals with less than a third being breeding females. Vessel strikes and entanglement are two of the top fatalities of Right Whales. This animal did have a healed scar behind the blow holes.
The data we collect at the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center is incredibly important for the health of our marine mammal populations in , . We wish this whale a SAFE migration South!
If you see a Right Whale, report it by calling (866)-755-6622 or alert the U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic on channel 16.
🐋
We participate with Whale SENSE and follow all marine mammal viewing guidelines. Photo is cropped from a 500mm lens.
🐋
New England Aquarium
Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at NEAQ
https://rwcatalog.neaq.org/ #/whales/4360

11/18/2024

During our 3hr Whale, Dolphin, and Bird watch today, we were extremely fortunate to observe a CRITICALLY ENDANGERED North Atlantic Right Whale off our coast! The whale was identified as #4360, Musketeer, by the New England Right Whale Research Program!
Musketeer was first documented off Nova Scotia in 2013. Still today, her s*x and exact age is not known. Maybe she will be one of the females to give birth in 2025!
North Atlantic Right Whales have an estimated population size of less than 370 individuals with less than a third being breeding females. Vessel strikes and entanglement are two of the top fatalities of Right Whales. This animal did have a healed scar behind the blow holes.
The data we collect at the Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center is incredibly important for the health of our marine mammal populations in , . We wish this whale a SAFE migration South!
If you see a Right Whale, report it by calling (866)-755-6622 or alert the U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic on channel 16.
🐋
We participate with Whale SENSE and follow all marine mammal viewing guidelines. Photo is cropped from a 500mm lens.
🐋
New England Aquarium
Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life at NEAQ
https://rwcatalog.neaq.org/ #/whales/4360

11/17/2024

November whale watching off Cape May 🐋
Fall migration is an exciting time of year. Yesterday we observed a Humpback whale, local inshore Bottlenose dolphins, and great bird life including migrating flocks of scoters, Northern gannets and the most loons we have seen so far this fall.
📸: Naturalist Melissa & Dr. Michael
Sailing weekends at 1:30pm!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and view our marine mammals responsibly.

11/15/2024

Our marine scientist, Dan Iovino, gave a wonderful presentation on our local Humpback whales at the NJ Audubon's Nature Center of Cape May. Dan is currently a Master’s student at Stockton University studying Data Science and Strategic Analytics 🐋📊
Join us this weekend on the American Star to search for our migratory marine mammals and explore nature off the coast of Cape May. Sailing at 1:30pm!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

11/14/2024

Join us at the Nature Center today at 12:00pm to hear Dan talk about Cape May’s famous Humpback whales! 🐋

We always enjoy seeing our neighbors, Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center, as they cruise across the harbor. And tomorrow, we welcome them into our classroom for our next Harborside Chat! Dan Iovino will be in studio to bring us up-to-date on the status of our favorite aquatic cousins, dolphins and whales.

Thursday, November 14th at noon!
https://hschats.eventbrite.com