Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch

08/31/2024

🐋 We're seeing a surge of humpback activity offshore right now. Cap of your summer with an unforgettable trip to see these majestic giants! 🐋

Tickets available for Labor Day Weekend at whalewatch.com or by calling ☎️833-277-6434.

08/28/2024

Rise and shine with graceful common dolphins gliding alongside our boat in tranquil, glassy seas. 🐬

Video from 8/27/2024 by passenger Walter Demkowicz.

08/27/2024

🐋 Sightings Update: 8/15-8/26/2024 🐋

Wow, just when we think the whale watching is top notch, it gets EVEN BETTER! The past couple of weeks have seen an impressive surge in whale activity, with feeding and surface action. This month, we're witnessing more breaching than we’ve seen all season. If you’ve been considering a whale-watching trip, now is the perfect time to go!

Many humpback whales have returned to the area, we've spotted anywhere from 12-40 individuals on trips. Recent reports indicate that some of these whales have been feeding off Chatham, MA, and Montauk, NY. This movement illustrates their remarkable ability to cover the distance between these locations in just a few days in search of a food source. While we’ve enjoyed our time with Azrael, Sprinkles, Spell, and Spirit, it's exciting to see new whales, including some sweet mom-and-calf pairs. It’s been a treat to watch these massive calves, as we haven’t seen many this season. Additionally, Jabiru and Pele are back together, with their third companion changing frequently. We’ve observed a variety of feeding behaviors, including sub-surface feeding, bubble-clouds, bubble-nets, and kick-feeding.

This summer has been exceptional for dolphin sightings, a rarity for this time of year! We’ve been thrilled to see both small and large pods, many with calves, and some pods even include both Atlantic white-sided dolphins and the elusive short-beaked common dolphins. The dolphins often choose to come right up to our boat, riding the bow and surfing in our wake. Their leaps, reaching up to 15 feet high, are nothing short of spectacular!

HUMPBACKS SIGHTED:
Leukos
Samovar
Azrael
Sprinkles
Woodwind
Spirit
Arroyo
Tangle
Shatter
Spoon
Sanchal
Combat
Dross
Bandit
Banyan
Snare
Abrasion
Samara
Fern
Crown
Quote
Shuffleboard
Venom & calf
Thumper & calf
Dusky & calf
Reaper & calf
Jabiru
Pele
Tear
Draco
Nile
3.14
Putter
Mostaza
Pumba
Infinity
Arcus
Crossbeam
Snap
Grackle
Pleats
Milkweed
Pitcher
Spell

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all Northeast U.S. whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing. When whales choose to approach our vessel closely, engines are in neutral and not engaged until whales are a safe distance away.

08/15/2024

🐋 August, So Far…🐋

Whale watching in the first half of August has been quite exciting! We often mention how rare it is for us to observe whales breaching. Well, the humpbacks seem to have responded with “hold my herring” as they rocket out of the water with a breach (or double breach, aka dualies) almost daily. While we can’t promise a breach on every trip, now might be a great time to get on a boat and see if you get lucky!

Speaking of lucky, on our 8/12, 2pm trip we had our first great white shark sighting of the season! With only one or two sightings on our trips each year, the glassy seas this day allowed all onboard to get incredible looks at the roughly 12 foot long shark as it slowly cruised at the surface and even under the bow!

Additionally, humpbacks have been alternating between deeper feeding in the water column and surface feeding in the form of lunges, kicks, bubble-nets and bubble clouds. Amongst the whales have been both Atlantic white-sided dolphins and the “not so common” short-beaked common dolphins.

Other species sighted this month: Mola mola, a leatherback sea turtle, and a basking shark!

HUMPBACKS SIGHTED:
Grackle
Abrasion & calf
Azrael
Woodwind
Sprinkles
Spirit
Bolide
3.14
Spell
Nile
Scylla
Snap
Milkweek
Crown
Pitcher
Sanchal
Pumba
Infinity
Valley
Ravine
Evolution
A-plus
Coral

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all Northeast U.S. whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing. When whales choose to approach our vessel closely, engines are in neutral and not engaged until whales are a safe distance away.

08/05/2024

For those who appreciate the sounds of offshore nature, today's light winds made it perfect to fully enjoy the experience. On our 9:30am trip this morning, a humpback whale named Grackle was spotted using bubble nets to feed.

08/05/2024

A humpback named Spell certainly left us enchanted with this epic breach on today’s 2pm trip.

08/03/2024

🐋 8/1 & 8/2/2024. August whale watching is comin' in HOT.🐋

Surface active behavior (lunging, breaching, tail lobbing, pec slapping, bubble-netting) is observed on a small number of trips. These can be both social and health-related behaviors.

Surface feeding can vary depending on the type of food and its location in the water column. Recently, we've noticed some whales engaging in lunge feeding, where they charge from below to catch dense schools of fast-moving fish like menhaden. The fish are fast and the whales have to be too!

Surface-active behaviors, such as breaching, tail-slapping, and pectoral fin slapping, can be observed for various reasons, including communication, getting rid of parasites, or simply having fun. For example, in one of the photos below (photo 3), you can see a humpback whale breaching with a lamprey attached to its body. Perhaps the breach was an attempt to shake the lamprey off.

08/01/2024

🐋 Sightings Update: July 26th - July 31st.🐋

In the last week of July, Atlantic white-sided dolphins continued to be seen in large numbers, often alongside humpbacks, minkes, Molas, and gray seals. Our seasoned captains and crew have been commenting that they’ve never seen so many dolphins at this time of year. We’ve observed pods ranging from 20-30 dolphins to large groups of 500-600 spread out over a large area. Many of these dolphins are diving and feeding right alongside the humpbacks. If you're hoping to see dolphins, now is an excellent time to join us offshore!

HUMPBACKS SIGHTED:
Midnight
Venom & calf
Sprinkles
Spell
Spirit
3.14
Woodwind
Azrael
Kickoff
Pele
Bristle
Abyss
Tripod

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all WhaleSENSE Northeast region whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing. When whales choose to approach our vessel closely, engines are in neutral and not engaged until whales are a safe distance away.

07/27/2024

🐋 Sightings Update: July 15th- July 26th 🐋

This is a bit of a long update with loads to cover. We can hardly believe it’s the end of July and we’re halfway through our whale watching season. Over the last week and a half, we’ve observed humpback whales, minke whales, a basking shark, our first Molas of the season, and HUNDREDS of dolphins!

With summer in full-swing, many boaters are out on the water, often in areas rich with marine life. We ask that all boaters give marine animals plenty of space to ensure the safety of both people and wildlife. Vessel strike and entanglement are the two leading causes of death for whales and we've witnessed too many near misses already this season. For a safer and more responsible experience, consider joining a reputable whale watch with experienced captains who adhere to strict Whale SENSE viewing guidelines, offering both spectacular sightings and ensuring everyone's safety. Learn more about Whale SENSE here: https://whalesense.org

Our naturalists will tell you the dolphins have been incredible this season! Infrequently seen during the summer months, this summer our trips have seen Atlantic white-sided dolphins more often than not. Why is this? It’s likely due to an abundance of bait fish keeping these pelagic dolphins in the area. Sightings have included large, energetic pods consisting of hundreds of animals with many tiny calves. Treated to huge leaps from the water, we’re reminded why they’re nicknamed “leaping lags” from a combination of their athletic nature and their scientific name Lagenorhynchus acutus, shortened to “lags”. We also continue to sight rescued, tagged dolphins from the historic mass stranding in Wellfleet last month.

Humpbacks have been mixing up sub-surface feeding with surface feeding in the form kicks, lunges, and bubble-nets. Humpback “Snap” has been quite active on a number of trips showcasing just about every surface active behavior known, from breaches to tail lobs. In fact, we’ve seen quite a bit of breaching from humpbacks recently! It has also been interesting to watch Jabiru and Pele meet up here on the breeding grounds and associate with a third whale. Last season Eruption was in the trio, this season Bristle has gained the spot. One season you’re in, the next you’re out. 😉

We've also had excellent opportunities to witness science in action, as the Stellwagen Bank research team has been out placing short-term, benign suction cup tags on whales. The tags are placed on whales via a long pole or dropped on from a drone. These tags collect data on underwater behavior, including dive behavior. Some tags also recored video and sound. Our passengers have had a lot of interesting questions about the process and data collected.

Several non-cetacean species rounded out our trips. Usually sighted closer to shore during the summer, gray seals have been sighted offshore in the mix with the humpbacks and dolphins taking advantage of the large quantities of fish available. It’s been fun to watch them pop up close to the boat while we await whales to surface for a breath. We’ve also had our first of the season sightings of Mola molas or “ocean sunfish”. The strange looking molas are the heaviest bony fish in the ocean, reaching weights of up to 5000 pounds. It’s incredible to think that they can grow so large on a diet of jellies and other gelatinous types of zooplankton!

HUMPBACKS SIGHTED:
Abyss
Conflux
Azrael
Bounce
Crown
Ravine
Sanchal
Glo
Scylla & calf
Jabiru
Pele
Bristle
3.14
Samara
Milkweed
Sprinkles
Snap
Spirit
London
Spell
Nile
Putter
Etch-a-sketch
Dross
Reflection & calf
Pleats

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all Northeast U.S. whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing. When whales choose to approach our vessel closely, engines are in neutral and not engaged until whales are a safe distance away.

07/20/2024

Friday, 7/19. Today's trips were filled with humpbacks surface feeding with impressive bubble-nets, powerful kick-feeding, and forceful lunges.

The forecast is ideal and the whales are hungry. This weekend is a great time to get on a boat with us! 🐋

07/13/2024

We are deeply saddened to share that we have lost Lolliop, another beloved whale. Her passing compounds the grief surrounding the challenges faced by her and her 2023 calf over the past year.

Last summer, her first-known calf, less than a year old and still nursing, suffered a heartbreaking entanglement in monofilament, with the line cutting deeper into its pec flipper each passing day. Despite best efforts and multiple rescue attempts, the calf has not been seen again.

Lolliop had been sighted recently looking healthy, making her loss all the more shocking. We currently do not know the cause of her death but will update as more information becomes available. The weight of this loss is felt by all who care for and love these beautiful whales. 💔

***UPDATE***

Today, Whale and Dolphin Conservation and Center for Coastal Studies gathered additional on-water documentation of Lollipop, as well as underwater documentation using a pole cam. No entangling material was found on the whale. After documentation, they successfully attached a large satellite tracking tag to the whale. This will allow us to monitor the whale’s location. After assessing tthe logistics of a tow and the inability to find an appropriate landing site, NOAA Fisheries has determined that the whale will be left floating.

Massachusetts Environmental Police and the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy also provided support for this event, and we appreciate these partnerships.
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On Friday, July 12, the U.S. Coast Guard was alerted of a dead humpback whale, floating off the South Shore of Massachusetts. NOAA Fisheries is coordinating with Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and the Center for Coastal Studies to monitor and document the case. We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available and plans are developed. The whale has been identified as Lollipop, a mature female who was last seen in good apparent health on June 1, 2024. Her cause of death is unknown at this time.

Since 2016, NOAA Fisheries Service has been investigating an unusual mortality event for humpback whales in the North Atlantic. Data from this investigation can be viewed in this interactive map: https://bit.ly/45fluiH. View frequently asked questions about necropsies and how they are conducted for marine mammals: https://bit.ly/3vTdiqK.

Maintain a safe distance from all marine mammals, especially entangled large whales who may act unpredictably. Immediately report all stranded or entangled marine mammals to NOAA’s marine mammal and sea turtle stranding hotline at (866) 755-6622 to be directed to a trained responder. https://bit.ly/2s7cWJe

Credit: Center for Coastal Studies, NOAA ESA MMPA permit 21485

07/09/2024

🐋Sightings Update. July 1st- July 8th🐋

The first week of July provided a bit of everything from weather to whales! Some trips the wind was howling and the seas bumpy, others had calm, smooth, glassy seas, but the sightings remained consistent throughout.

Humpbacks have been observed as singles spread out through the area, as well as in groups of two to three. They’ve been sub-surface feeding, along with a bit of bubble feeding and kick feeding mixed in. When we could see the bait, we noticed they were taking advantage of herring.

One trip was especially lucky and was treated to curious “boat friendly” whales. Sprinkles and Ursa gave us an incredible close approach in glassy sea conditions. You could make out every detail of their bodies as they watched us watching them. When whales choose to engage in “people watching", we sit with our engines in neutral and enjoy their company, not engaging engines again until the whales are a safe distance away. Much of our crew will tell you it's one of our absolute favorite behaviors!

We’re still seeing pods of Atlantic white-sided dolphins fairly regularly, including a massive pod of 400-600 and nursery pods with small calves. This is a bit unusual, our summer dolphins sightings are often few and far between. In our last update, we mentioned there was a significant stranding event in Wellfleet, where 125 white-sided dolphins were stranded, a noted global hotspot for such events. The IFAW Marine Mammal Rescue team (ifaw) successfully refloated the majority of the pod during the incoming tide, although some individuals experienced subsequent strandings over a five-day period following the initial event.

During the rescue efforts, many of the dolphins were tagged on their dorsal fins, providing valuable data on their post-rescue status if resighted. It's heartening to report that naturalist Carolyn has sighted three of these tagged dolphins! These sightings have been shared with IFAW, confirming that these dolphins were part of the group that stranded. It's remarkable and reassuring to know that these animals, despite the ordeal they faced, have been given a second (some a third) chance at life and are faring well. This success highlights the dedication and efforts of all involved in their rescue!

HUMPBACKS SIGHTED:
Abyss
Pele
Jabiru
Bristle
Valley
Nile
Othello
Dyad
Crossbeam
Dross
Samara
Dashdot
Freckles
Tripod
Cantilever
Milkweed
Music & calf
Sanchal
Ursa
Sprinkles
Scylla & calf
Tripod
Pleats
Spell
3.14
Azrael
Snap
Spirit
Habanero
Bounce
Buckshot

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing.

07/02/2024

🐋Sightings Update. June 21st- June 30th🐋

June has passed us by with the flick of a whale’s flukes and the sightings have been great!

Over the last couple of weeks, numerous humpbacks have been observed closer to home. Bubble feeding and lunge feeding have been a highlight as the whales consume bait fish and krill. Nile has consistently been sighted feeding in the area, and it’s nice to see the duo of Jabiru and Pele associating-these two seem to spend a good amount of time together every feeding season; we wonder if they meet up on the breeding grounds too?

Basking sharks continue to surprise us with more sightings than we’ve had in many seasons, their huge mouths wide-open filtering food from the water column is just an awesome sight. Additionally, an increasing number of shearwaters, including Great, Sooty, and Cory’s shearwaters, are making appearances. Summer is here!

Atlantic white-sided dolphins are still being seen with some regularity. In fact, on June 28th a group of 125 white-sided dolphins stranded on the mud flats of the herring river in Wellfleet as the tide receded. Cape Cod is a known stranding hotspot in the world, due to that, we have the dedicated IFAW Marine Mammal Rescue Team (ifaw) at the ready to respond to wayward dolphins in need, including several of our own Dolphin Fleet docents. Strandings have been happening for centuries on Cape Cod. While the exact cause is unknown, it's thought that the hooked-shape of Cape Cod, proximity to fertile feeding grounds, extreme tidal fluctuations, and gently sloping, sandy beaches can all make it difficult for dolphins that come close to shore to navigate their way back out. News story of the event in the comments.

And finally, the last weekend in June, the Provincetown Portuguese Festival celebrated our town's rich Portuguese heritage and deep fishing traditions. A highlight of the festivities was the Blessing of the Fleet, where the Dolphin XI and fishing boats, adorned with colorful flags, were blessed to ensure a safe and bountiful season. During the ceremony, we paid tribute to three of our Dolphin Fleet Captains, all proudly Portuguese and native to Provincetown; Captain Mark, Captain Todd, and Captain Johnny.

HUMPBACKS SIGHTED:
Scylla and calf
Azrael
Spirit
Bounce
Nile
Pele
Bristle
Jabiru
Dyad
Dashdot
Tongs
Chairlift
Spell
Milkweek
Abyss
Woodwind
3.14
Sprinkles
Samara
Putter
Release
Alligator
Pleats
and others!

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing.

06/28/2024

Many of our passengers have been fortunate to witness the presence of a beloved humpback named Scylla and her spirited calf this season. However, our delight turned to worry when reports surfaced that the calf had accidentally become entangled in rope, putting it at risk of serious harm or worse.

Thanks to the skilled efforts of the CCS team, and whale watch vessels keeping a lookout for the pair, the calf was successfully freed from its entanglement. It takes a village!

This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the perilous challenges whales encounter in our waters due to entanglement. Please consider supporting the CCS Marine Animal Disentanglement team by donating to their ongoing efforts to rescue entangled marine animals. Your contribution can make a significant difference in safeguarding these majestic creatures. 🐋 💙

https://coastalstudies.org/donate/

The Center for Coastal Studies (CCS) Marine Animal Entanglement Response team (MAER) disentangled a humpback whale calf yesterday off of Gloucester, MA. The whale, identified as the calf of Scylla, was first reported as entangled on June 25 near Provincetown, and was free-swimming with wraps of rope around its body.

Read more: https://coastalstudies.org/news/maer-team-disentangles-humpback-whale-calf-off-gloucester/

Video: https://youtu.be/lMptkAVb4AY?si=IYTuZH31PH63CHD7

06/21/2024

🐋Sightings Update. June 10- June 20th🐋

We frequently receive the question “when is the best time to spot whales?”. Our seasoned naturalists emphasize that each trip offshore is distinctly unique, making comparisons difficult.

Watching wild animals is inherently unpredictable, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Some trips may observe a single whale displaying impressive surface activities like breaching and pec-slapping, providing a memorable outing. In contrast, other trips may observe several whales engaged in behaviors such as extended deep dives, or sub-surface feeding.

In recent weeks, we’ve covered quite a bit of ocean and have had trips that spanned this entire range of experiences and everything in between. In short, anytime is a great time to get on a boat!

Humpbacks Sighted
Milkweed
3.14
Music & calf
Scylla & calf
Striation
Egret
Pleats
Underline
Dashdot
Wizard
Ursa
Spoon
Arroyo
Chairlift
Glo
Spike
Tongs
Putter
Bounce
Nile
Jabiru
Pele
Springboard
Spirit
Halloween
Dross
Evolution

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing.

06/11/2024

🐋 Sightings Update. May 26th–June 9th 🐋

Marine life offshore is constantly ebbing and flowing, driven by the quest for food. Over the last two weeks, we’ve covered large areas to watch whales. While fewer humpbacks have been in the area, the presence of fin whales, white-sided dolphins, common dolphins, minkes, gray seals, and even basking sharks have kept trips interesting!

Lately, we’ve spent quality time observing fin whales, the second largest species of whale after the blue whale. Fin whales are notable for their distinctive asymmetrical coloration on their heads. The lower right jaw is white, while the entire left side remains a uniform grey. A highlight was witnessing "Skeg" gracefully lift her flukes out of the water during a dive, a behavior typically associated with humpbacks, but rarely seen in fin whales. Our seasoned naturalists often remark that if you're lucky enough to witness a fin whale fluke on our trips, it's likely to be Skeg! We've been observing Skeg since 1980, sighting her for 22 of the past 44 years. She's a beloved regular around Cape Cod, known for affording us excellent looks at her. Another notable fin whale we encountered this week is Caldwell, first spotted in 2006 and photographed in 16 of the past 19 seasons, including this one. Additionally, we've sighted Furrow, a resilient survivor of a vessel strike with healed prop scars on his back, and a whale named Flare.

Humpbacks, including Nile & Scylla, have been sighted lunge-feeding on bait fish. While mom was busy feeding, Scylla’s calf– roughly 6-7 months old, spent time exercising its muscles at the surface with tail breaches and tail lobs. While lunge-feeding, these humpbacks surfaced with their ventral pleats fully extended–a view we don’t often get to see!

Humpbacks Sighted:
Nile
Scylla & calf
Shuffleboard
Dome
Springboard
Egret
Tilt
Harrow
Diablo
Gondolier
Reflection & calf
Draco
Tripod
A-plus
Boutonniere

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos represent highlights from recent trips and are taken in compliance with all whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing.

06/06/2024

With sadness and heartache, we share the news of Chunk's death. Chunk was a well-known Gulf of Maine humpback whale. She quickly became a favorite of many who sighted her and her unique dorsal fin, which inspired her name, on our trips.

Sending love to our whale watch and whale research colleagues who are also affected by this loss.

We'll miss her dearly. 🐋💔

***UPDATE: On June 7, Marine Mammals of Maine and their partners completed a necropsy on the humpback whale known as Chunk. The team noted that she was approximately 38 feet long, weighed 58,000 pounds, and had a stomach full of fish. Scientists collected samples from her organs for further testing, and examined her healed injuries from a 2015 disentanglement. They also examined the new injuries related to this entanglement, which included congested lungs consistent with acute drowning. The whale was then buried. NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is continuing to investigate this incident.

Several stranding network partners assisted with the necropsy, including the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society, College of the Atlantic/Allied Whale, Seacoast Science Center, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, and the Center for Coastal Studies. Several local and State partners also provided assistance throughout this event, including Maine Marine Patrol, Benson Farm, Harry Doughty and Son, Portland Yacht Services, and Maine State Police.

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On Wednesday, June 5, Marine Mammals of Maine and Maine Marine Patrol were alerted of a whale in a net off Cape Elizabeth, Maine. The whale was first observed alive prior to being reported to stranding responders, but was found dead when Marine Patrol arrived on scene. It is a 40-foot-long female humpback whale, known as “Chunk” ( in the Gulf of Maine and North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalogs). NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating this incident.

On Thursday morning, Maine Marine Patrol towed the whale into Portland. She will be transported with support by the Portland Police Department to an inland facility for necropsy (animal autopsy) and disposal. Marine Mammals of Maine is leading the examination with support from members of the Greater Atlantic Region’s marine mammal stranding network, including:

•College of the Atlantic / Allied Whale
•Seacoast Science Center
•Center for Coastal Studies
•Whale and Dolphin Conservation
•Atlantic Marine Conservation Society

We will provide additional updates as more information becomes available.

The whale was first seen in 2015. That same year, she was found with a severe entanglement. NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center was able to locate her and the Center for Coastal Studies’ disentanglement team successfully removed the heavy rope encircling her body. She had exhibited normal, healthy behavior every year since then.

Since 2016, NOAA Fisheries has been investigating an unusual mortality event for humpback whales in the North Atlantic. Data from this investigation can be viewed in this interactive map: https://bit.ly/45fluiH. View frequently asked questions about necropsies and how they are conducted for marine mammals: https://bit.ly/3vTdiqK.

Maintain a safe distance from all marine mammals, especially entangled large whales who may act unpredictably. Immediately report all stranded or entangled marine mammals to NOAA’s marine mammal and sea turtle stranding hotline at (866) 755-6622 to be directed to a trained responder.

Photo: Dorsal fluke of Chunk. Credit: Center for Coastal Studies

06/05/2024

It’s not an Old Thom sighting, but it’s just as rare-Skeg, the fin whale FLUKING!! 🐋

Why is it rare to see a finner fluke? Unlike more robust whales such as humpbacks and right whales, fin whales don't require the extra propulsion provided by lifting their tails to dive deeper. Their streamlined shape allows them to descend efficiently without needing this additional effort!

Thanks to passenger Bernadette Maffei Figgis for sharing her video from yesterday’s 12pm trip with us!

05/29/2024

May 13 - May 25, 2024.

Over the past two weeks, the offshore scene has really given us summer vibes. The weather's warmed up, the sun's out (mostly), and we've been treated to abundant sightings of cetaceans. Many of our naturalists have had some of their best trips yet this season! But, it's important to remember we're observing wild animals, always on the move searching for food. As lucky as we’ve been, by the end of Memorial Day weekend, things returned to the typical whale watching pace. As naturalist Dennis said, 'It was truly an ecosystem in action and a spectacle to be remembered.".

During this hot streak, we've had the privilege of witnessing humpbacks engaging in cooperative feeding using bubble nets, various kick-feeding techniques, and lunge-feeding. We've also been treated to impressive surface activities such as tail breaches, full spinning breaches, and even the rare double breach! Some humpbacks even approached our boat with curiosity, leisurely swimming alongside and underneath it. The sightings included a range of humpbacks, from older known individuals like Cygnus to mothers with their young calves. Additionally, Atlantic white-sided dolphins made frequent appearances on most trips!

Sand lance (whale food) has been plentiful, and both whales and seabirds are making the most of it. Sooty and Manx shearwaters, terns, and parasitic jaegers have become regular sightings, while winter species like Northern gannets and scoters have largely vacated the area. The feeding frenzy at the surface has drawn in flocks of gulls so dense that humpback heads are nearly obscured by the clamor of laughing gulls hoping to snag a fish. Meanwhile, in the harbor, double-crested cormorants are diligently tending to their newly hatched young nestled in nests constructed from a mix of wrack (including plastic and rope) and sticks.

Furthermore, we've been fortunate to have a few extraordinary encounters with basking sharks! Ranked as the second largest shark species after the whale shark, basking sharks are harmless filter feeders. One distinguishing feature to differentiate them from great whites, which also inhabit these waters, is their dorsal fin. While basking sharks boast rounded dorsal fins, the dorsal fins of white sharks are pointed.

Humpbacks Sighted:
Cygnus
Strike
Boutonniere
Entropy
Crinkle
Falcon
Venom & calf
Xylem
Ventisca
Bounce
Pele
Jabiru
Wizard
Ursa
Aerospace
Mira
Putter
Scylla & calf
A-plus
Lollipop
Sprinkles
Campground
3.14
Tongs
Milkweed
Rocker
Mend
Buckshot
Piano
Cosmos
Wire
Hashtag
Bristle
Springboard
Viking

Dolphin Fleet proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by the Center for Coastal Studies.

*Photos are taken in compliance with all whale watching guidelines using a telephoto lens, some cropped in post-processing.