Whale Watching on the Bay of Fundy

This very strong current travelling back and forth stirs up plenty of plankton. This plankton attracts an abundance of fish such as herring and mackerel. Whales feed off these fish, so of course they come to where their food is.

Starting in the spring sightings of Finback Whales, Minke Whales and Harbour Porpoises will have started. These are the first to arrive back from their winter homes. The Humpback Whales start to appear back around the first of June from their winter-feeding grounds in the Caribbean Sea. The White Sided Dolphins have started to appear at this time also. Then by mid July the Pilot Whales and other species have returned and will be around until late fall.

The greatly endangered Right Whale is also spotted here at times, as are the White Beaked Dolphins. There are also occasional sightings of Beluga, Sperm and Blue Whales. Other marine life observed on these tours are Grey Seals, Harbour Seals, schools of Herring, Bluefin Tunas, Sea Turtles, Ocean Sunfish and Basking Sharks.

Have your camera ready, as the whales are very curious creatures, especially the Humpback - "the clown of the sea". Some of the antics you may see them do are jumping out of the water (a breech); slapping the water with their tail or flipper (flipper slap or tail lob); or they may sky hop which means they bring their nose out of the water so they can have a look at you.

These cruises are great for the bird watchers also. The Bay of Fundy lies directly in the migration path for many species of shore birds and raptors. The shores around the Islands make a great stopover for these birds to rest and feed. In late August through September are the best times to view thousands of these birds converging on the shores to feed. Species to be seen include the Atlantic Puffins and several varieties of Gannets, Petrels, Shearwaters and Phalaropes.

Located at the Digby Marina the Basin Charters Guided Tours offers two trips daily, 8.00 am to noon and 5.00 pm to 9.00 pm. The tours are 3 hours long and give you the chance to observe a wide variety of marine life and seabirds along with the beautiful scenery of the Bay of Fundy. Their 45 foot boat the "Sonja Maria I" is Coast Guard Inspected and Approved. Washroom facilities are available onboard. They are open from May 15 to September 15. You may phone 902 245 8446 for more details.

Located in Tiverton Ocean Explorations "Zodiac" Whale Adventures is run by Marine Explorations and Research Ltd. The tour director, biologist Tom Goodwin, has overall training and experience in the fields of marine and wildlife biology and has undertaken graduate studies in environmental education. He is very knowledgeable about the whales as he spent many years studying them and helping to release several who had accidently become trapped in fishing nets. Presently emphasizing education, Ocean Explorations will participate in various research efforts and will invite our guests to join in as well.

Ocean Explorations use a Zodiac (or Zodiac-type) boat, similar to those used by marine biologists, whale-watchers, and charter operations all over the world (even Antarctica). A zodiac provides you with the best way to get close to these giants of the ocean.

To make a reservation contact Tom at (902) 839 2417 or toll free at 1 877 654 2341. They are located 45 minutes from Digby, across one ferry to Tiverton, Long Island. Ocean Explorations' office is 100 meters/yards from ferry wharf (Road leads left and large white house in on the right).

This whale watching tour is guided by professional naturalists with marine mammal research experience. They offer three trips daily at 9.00 am, 1.00 pm, and 6.00 pm. Their boat is the 40-foot "George Porgie" which is Transport Canada inspected. It is fitted with a heated cabin and a washroom on board. They keep the whale watching tour down to 20 people to offer their customers an un-crowded cruise. Sightings are guaranteed and a free pass will be given if none of the bigger whales are sighted. Open from mid June to mid September, call 902 839 2177 for more information or to make reservations.

Their 50 foot fibreglass Cape Island-style boat the "Chad and Sisters Two" meets or exceeds the Canadian Coast Guard safety standards and guidelines. She offers a heated cabin, washroom facilities, an extended awning and a viewing stand for your convenience. Both the captain and crew are certified in MED First Aid and C.P.R. Reservations are recommended; CAA & AAA discount available. For information call tool free 1 800 239 2189 or local 902 839 2346.

Located in Tiverton, only a quarter mile from the ferry Pirate's Cove Whale & Seabird Cruises offer 3 - 4 cruises a day from June to October. The whale watching cruises go out at 10.00 am, 1.00 pm, and 3.00 pm, with a 5.00 pm sunset cruise added upon demand. Their cruises last from 3 - 4 hours depending on where the whales are feeding, and are guaranteed. During the cruise expert naturalists will provide commentary and answer any questions.

They offer two vessels the 42-foot M/V Fundy Cruiser and the newer 42-foot M/V Fundy Voyager. Both vessels are equipped with handrails, shelter and washroom facilities. They are both certified passenger vessels, which meet all safety standards set by the Steamship Safety Branch of the Transport Canada. CAA & AAA discounts are available, reservations are recommended, call toll free 1 888 480 0004, or locally 902 839 2242.

Brier Island Whale & Seabird Cruises offer two boats to choose from for you whale watching experience. The 52-foot MV Cetacean Quest and the 50-foot MV Mega Nova are both equipped with open viewing decks complete with seats, rails, bathroom facilities and a shelter. They both meet or exceed all Canadian Coast Guard safety standards. The crew are experienced well trained and friendly with Marine Emergency Duty and First Aid Certificates. The cruises are fully narrated by experienced naturalists.

Open from May to October they offer 5 whale watching cruise times a day - 8:30 am, 10:30 am, 1:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and a sunset cruise at 5:30 pm weather permitting. Sightings guaranteed or a free voucher is handed out. For reservations or more information call tool free 1-800-656-3660 or 902 839 2995 locally.

I am sure there are still more people offering whale watching tours around the area and as I find them if I feel they are good places I will add them onto this list. Any of the ones I have listed have already earned their good reputation and were recommended to me.

I fully recommend this experience; it is one of my favourite things availably here. But then I love the water and being out on it. There is, however a certain thrill at seeing these giants of the sea, and for them to come so close to your boat. It is a feeling that is hard to match.

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