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Fri July 31 – Whale Watching

“World Class Whale Watching and associated research CONTINUES” with the Viking Fleet

We found four cetacean species throughout the day. A few miles after passing Montauk Point lighthouse, we also encountered a juvenile humpback feeding.  As we continued farther out saw breaching whales in all directions , and picket fences of blows. As in the previous trip(s) we too saw vast arrays of feeding behaviors. Often, we sat safely out of gear as bubbles (and sand eels) surrounded the vessel in all directions. The sounds and sights of nearby humpbacks surrounded us. Minke whales and several finback whales appeared amongst the action, including one finback last seen off Montauk 16 years ago!, followed by a large pod of  short-beaked common dolphins. With many more feeding events in sight, we traveled a very short distance to find several other large groups of bubble-feeding humpbacks, up to groups of 5 altogether. Although, CRESLI scientists are still working to identify the individual humpbacks, we have encountered many familiar flukes who have been documented off Montauk before, highlighting the habitat usage and site fidelity of this region. Passengers said that this has been the very best whale watch they have ever been on (it’s said often because of wildlife and narration).. While we have no idea how long these epic encounters will last. Book your trip with us today!

  • 60 Tamanend’s bottlenose dolphin
  • 18-20 adult humpback whales (including at least 4 mom/calf pairs)
  • 12-14 minke whales
  • 5-7 finback whales
  • ~100 short-beaked common dolphins
  • Many Cory’s and great shearwater, and  sooty shearwater; over 100 of Wilson’s storm petrels 
    • Fewer pelagic birds until we reached with the whale feeding area (bird counts were limited while with the whales and are likely severely underestimated)1 unidentified small sea turtle (quick view before it dove)

Whale surfacing with open mouth, surrounded by seagulls in the ocean.

Whale tail above the ocean surface, surrounded by rippling water. Humpback whales surfacing in ocean, surrounded by seagulls. Humpback whales surfacing in the ocean, mouths open, amid splashing water. Humpback whale surfacing with fin and head above ocean water. Humpback whale feeding at surface with seagulls flying around. Whale tail above ocean water with splash Two dolphins swimming in the ocean, one adult and one juvenile. Whale surfacing in ocean, surrounded by seabirds flying close to the water. Close-up of a whale's tail above the ocean surface. Two whales surfacing with open mouths in blue ocean water.

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