Whale Watching Massachusetts

Whale watching Massachusetts can be done practically in any harbor town in the state.

It is a very popular Boston attraction every summer, and is very easy to do from Provincetown. Planning to visit the area north of Boston? You can go whale watching in Gloucester, the most popular town to sail out of.

So no matter where you go in Massachusetts, you will have an opportunity to see these gigantic mammals.

This is probably because there are two large whale feeding grounds off the coast of Massachusetts, called Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey's Ledge. Due to the study and protection of these animals, the whale population off the coast of Massachusetts is in record numbers. Because of this, some whale watching companies actually give you a guarantee of seeing whales. Of course, in the off-chance that no whales are seen, you will receive a pass to go on another whale watch again.

On my last whale watch, the captain gave us the disclaimer that we may not see any whales, but we lucked out. We managed to get up close to 6 humpback whales feeding:

Whale Watching Massachusetts prices

Kinds of whales you can expect to see

Other Whale Watching Massachusetts Tips you should know about...

It is no fun to spend 4 hours on a boat and feel sick. So here are some tips for you to help if you are prone (or worried if you are) to motion sickness.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor so read the instructions on the medication and check with your doctor about any possible complications!

Generally, in my experience (and of course everyone reacts differently), such medications may make you so tired that you won't even see the whales. For those of you who are prone to sea sickness and feel that you will need to use Dramamine, the best tip I can offer you is to take a whale watching Massachusetts tour earlier in the day. The earlier in the day you go, the calmer the sea will be.

...But luckily, there are other ways to get rid of that queasy feeling than drugs!

Whale watching boats have a galley kitchen where you can purchase food (at a high price), but you can bring your own snacks.

Great snacks to help you are:
• Water- Keep yourself hydrated. It will help you more than you know
• Ginger ale- for some reason this soda has a calming effect on your stomach
• Saltines- these bland crackers help fill your stomach without producing too much acid which can make you feel worse
• Tea, especially Peppermint or Ginger tea. These are said to help calm your stomach.

There is also a pair of arm bands that help relieve motion sickness as well. I have tried these with success. They work by pushing on a pressure point about 3 fingers away from the inside of your wrist (between the two tendons there). These are safe to use on children and adults, and the best part is that there are no side-effects. The pair I have were reasonably priced at about $10, and the best thing is that you can use them over and over again.

But the two best motion sickness tips I can give you (and that goes for people who are prone to motion sickness and those who are not so sure) are:

• Do not eat prior to boarding the boat. If you eat a heavy meal before going whale watching in Massachusetts, you will have a greater chance of getting sick. Instead, bring some light snacks with you
• If you feel motion sickness coming on, go out onto one of the decks and look at the horizon. For some reason, the fresh air and looking at the horizon makes that queasy feeling go away. It is also a great way to spot whales, dolphins and other sea creatures!

What to bring on your Whale Watching Massachusetts trip

Be prepared for your Whale Watching Adventure.

Here is a list of things you need to bring in order to fully enjoy your trip:
• Camera- Whale watching boats try to get you as close to the whales as possible. You never know what you will see out there!
• Binoculars- These are not absolutely necessary, but will definitely help if your guide points out some whales in the distance.
• Sweatshirt or a Windbreaker- Although it may be warm on the shore, it can get quite cool and windy on the water. If you layer your clothing, you will feel very comfortable.
• Sunblock- This is a must, even on a cloudy day. The combination of the sun and the reflection off the water will amaze you. Be prepared!
• Sunglasses- Without these, you might not get to see those whales.
• Hat- Again, the sun can burn out there on the water. Protect yourself and you will not arrive back on shore looking like a lobster!

And of course...

You can tell me about the company you used, the whales you saw, anything! And if you wish your comment to be confidential, I will certainly respect your wishes.