Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center Inc

03/05/2025

The Whale SENSE photo contest is now open! We have really wonderful submissions from our crew and passengers!
📸: Passenger Michelle Marino
(Vote for the photos by liking the original post.)

Photographer: Michelle Marino
Whale SENSE company: Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center
Date: 8/17/2024
Camera Details: Canon EOS M50, 135mm
Caption: Bottlenose dolphin emerges from the water with a playful smile!

03/04/2025

3/2/25 - 6hr Pelagic Trip Highlights with the Cape May Bird Observatory:
1 Humpback whale (We were mugged!)
Inshore Bottlenose dolphins
Gray seals
Razorbills
Harlequin ducks
THOUSANDS of feeding frenzy Northern gannets
Bonaparte’s gulls
Many other species of birds, gulls and ducks!
📸: Naturalists Melissa & Dan

Our next 6hr trip is March 29th!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

We participate with Whale SENSE and view our marine mammals responsibly. A wonderful way to celebrate every day!

02/27/2025

Up to #10 for North Atlantic Right whale calves this season! 🍼

02/26/2025

The Cape May Point Arts and Science Center helps to support our dedicated surveys for Bottlenose dolphins off Cape May. We are looking forward to what we can accomplish together in the future 🐬

Exciting news! The Cape May Point Arts & Science Center welcomes Melissa Laurino as our Marine Science Advisor!🌊🐋🐬

A USCG 100-ton Master Captain & marine biologist, Melissa has documented hundreds of dolphins & whales, contributing to critical research on NJ’s marine life.

She’s leading vessel-based surveys & gearing up for the Marine Science Symposium (5/30-6/1) to connect science, conservation, & community. Welcome aboard, Melissa! 🐬💙

Grab the latest copy of the Cape May County Herald Newspapers or read the article at the link in our bio📰

Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center

02/24/2025

2/23/25 - 12hr Pelagic Trip Highlights:
6 Fin whales
Common dolphins
1 Thick-billed murre (!)
Common murre
Dovekie
Razorbill
1 Atlantic Puffin (Quick look)
Iceland gull
Black-legged Kittiwake
& So much more!
We had two incredible multi-species feeding events of Fin whales, Common dolphins, Northern gannets, and gulls feeding on sand eels! Adult Fin whales were feeding side by side!
📸: Naturalist Garrett & Melissa
Sailing weekends at 1:30pm! Let’s go whale watching!
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

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

02/24/2025

One week left to claim your spot on the American Star this Sunday for a 6-hour Mini Pelagic!

The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center is partnering with CMBO for another trip across the Delaware Bay! The CMWWRC staff will be on the lookout for dolphins, baleen whales, and seals, while CMBO Naturalists will be tracking down razorbills, dovekies, Iceland gulls, and other seabirds.

This trip is an excellent choice for the beginner pelagic birder who wants to try out a longer cruise and a convenient option for experienced birders to get out on the ocean! Enjoy the comfort of the heated inside cabin and full galley/bar aboard the American Star. And don't worry, eBird checklists are created by our team of experts and shared after the trip.

Photos by Aaron Reb & Jack McDonough

02/23/2025

One week from today!

02/22/2025

Submit your photos for the annual Whale SENSE photo contest by Monday! 🐋

We are jumping for joy today because it’s the opening day for our 8th Annual Whale SENSE Photo Contest! Photo by Janice Gorle.

This photo contest is for ANY whale watching enthusiast to share exciting moments they’ve captured!

Rules:
1. Photo must be taken by passengers or crew members aboard a boat that participates in the Whale SENSE program
2. Photos must be submitted by the Google Form which will be at the link in our bio when the contest opens to submissions!

Categories:
Mobile Phone Capture
Surface Active
Non Whale Marine Life
Scenic View
Tail Shot

Winning photos will be featured on our page, Instagram, and website!

Voting will take place on our page! You can learn more about the competition on our website.

https://whalesense.org/2025/02/04/8th-annual-whale-sense-photo-contest/

02/21/2025

WE ARE SAILING this Sunday, February 23rd for a 12hr Winter Pelagic trip! The forecast is looking GREAT with 5-15kt winds, 3-4ft seas, and 40 degree air temperature! Let's explore nature together on the American Star! 🌊
📞(609)-898-0055
➡ https://capemaywhalewatch.com/cruises/12hr-marine-mammal-pelagic-bird-watch/

02/19/2025

Home sweet home at South Jersey Marina after spending a few weeks at Yank Marine Services LLC in Dorchester, New Jersey!
We're ready to kick off our 2025 season this weekend! Which trips are you joining us on this year? 🐋
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055

02/16/2025

🐋🌊 Happy World Whale Day! 🌊🐋
Every day is for us at Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center. We are excited to see what species will be our first sighting of 2025! Join us on the American Star and let's explore nature together!
Our season kicks off on February 22nd with a 12hr pelagic trip and 3hr whale watches beginning on MARCH 1st! 🎉
www.capemaywhalewatch.com

02/14/2025

Love is in the air... and the sea! 🩷
We're getting ready to kick off our 2025 season! ⛴
Join us for our first trip of the year—a 12 hour pelagic trip on Saturday, February 22nd! There's no better way to celebrate your love for the ocean! 😉
www.capemaywhalewatch.com

02/11/2025

Winter pelagic opportunities with the Cape May Bird Observatory!

https://capemaywhalewatch.com/cruises/6hr-mini-pelagic/

Are you Gull-curious? Do you spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to identify flocks of these beach-loving birds only to throw down your binoculars in frustration? Fear not! We have the program for you! Join us for a 4-hour Gull Workshop with Glen Davis, a local bird expert and undefeated World Series of Birding Champion, on March 1st!

Gulls are an interesting lot. They can be found on every continent around the world, yet there is a tendency for them to look, well, all the same! In this workshop, Glen Davis will spend time focusing on the details that make each gull species unique.

We will focus on the reiteration of the main identification points for learning gull ID: plumage, aging, and habits. We will track down the four regular, wintering species in Cape May – Herring, Great Black-backed, Ring-billed, and Bonaparte’s and in the process, will practice “sifting flocks” for rarer gulls!

To make the most out of your weekend in Cape May, you can also claim your spot on the American Star on Sunday, March 2nd for a 6-hour Mini Pelagic! The Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center is partnering with CMBO for another trip across the Delaware Bay and back to hopefully track down a variety of seabirds and marine mammals. Plus, what a great opportunity to put your new-found Gull ID skills to the test!

Photo: Bonaparte’s Gull by Martina Nordstrand

Sign up for these upcoming events, link in comments!

02/11/2025

Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science! Did you know that worldwide only 34% of STEM researchers are women? The ladies of Cape May Whale Watch and Research Center are changing that narrative 💪🐋🐬🧪

02/08/2025

Get your photos ready! Submissions for the annual Whale SENSE photo contest open soon!

Today we’re highlighting a photo from Melissa Laurino showcasing an excellent example of a scenic shot! We’re so exited to see what photos get submitted this year!

Learn more about this year’s photo contest at the link in our bio!

02/07/2025

Keep them coming! 🤞🏻🍼

02/05/2025

3️⃣5️⃣1️⃣🚫🎈
The Cape May Marine Mammal Research Center 501c3 received a grant from for our : Empowering Conservation Through Ecotourism. Together with our partnered ecotours, we collected a total of 351 balloons from our waterways. That’s 351 less balloons that will be ingested by marine life, mistaken as nesting material or cause an entanglement. We are thankful for our partners and the thousands of passengers from around the world that made the commitment with us to stop and collect these balloons.
- Do not release balloons.
- Avoid them all together! Use an eco-friendly alternative for your occasion instead.
- Spread this message!

Monterey Bay Whale Watch/California Killer Whale Project
Rudee Flipper Dolphin and Whale Watching
Salt Marsh Safari on The Skimmer
The Starlight Fleet
Fisherman's Wharf Ocean and Bay Fishing and Cruising
Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island, Inc.
Gotham Whale/ Shore Whale Watch
Cape May Marine Mammal Research Center 501c3
Cape May Point Arts and Science Center
South Jersey Marina

01/30/2025

The American Star headed up to in Dorchester, NJ today for its annual winter haulout. She’ll be getting a fresh coat of paint for the 2025 season! 🖌🧽 Can’t wait to get back on the water!
Have you started planning your trip yet? 👀
➡ www.capemaywhalewatch.com
📞(609)-898-0055