V21 N20

The Activity Column
Catherine Dugan’s guide to getting out there... this week, book a dolphin watching tour!
times mate with whales, but “wholphins” have
been born in captivity and the wild.
Cape May offers a few dolphin-watching
options. The two big boats have similar
names and websites, so make sure you’re at
the right place. The Cape May Whale Watcher
(red boat — capemaywhalewatcher.com)
and Cape May Whale Watch and Research
Center (blue boat — capemaywhalewatch.
com) have restrooms on board and snacks
Orcas are in the headlines for attacking
boats around the Iberian peninsula,
so it seems like a good time
to check on their local cousins. Pay
attention to the smaller members of
the order cetacea on a dolphin-watching tour.
The Atlantic bottlenose dolphin is the
animal we usually see frolicking along Cape
May. Considered to be one of the most intelligent
creatures on the planet, the dolphin
remains somewhat mysterious to scientists.
Dolphins travel in complex social groups, call
each other by name, and sometimes care for
disabled or elderly pod members. They “make
friends” with other species. In Hawaii, scientists
observed dolphins and humpback whales
playing together, with the dolphin using the
whale as a slide, then teaching other dolphins
to do the same. In the Puget Sound, dolphins
have been observed “hanging out” with southern
resident orcas, who won’t eat them, while
avoiding the identical Biggs orcas, who would.
Scientists have yet to determine how the dolphins
tell the two apart or why they somefor
sale. The Cape May Whale Watcher is
wheelchair accessible. Tickets are similar,
about $40 for adults for two-hour cruises, $50
for three-hours, with discounts for children.
You can find specials online or in brochures.
Reservations are strongly recommended.
Prepare for your dolphin watching tour
as you would for any other boat ride — shoes
with non-slip soles, comfortable clothes that
dry quickly, hat and sunglasses with straps,
and sunscreen. Keep an eye on small children
and don’t let them climb on things meant
to keep them from falling into the ocean.
Pay attention to the boat’s staff; in addition
to entertaining you, they want to keep you
safe. Have your camera ready, but don’t be
disappointed if you don’t get THE shot of the
animals. You’ll get more enjoyment out of
reaction pictures of your group. Leave your
camera or phone behind on the speed boat
tours — Thunder Cat (thundercatdolphinwatch.com)
or Silver Bullet (eastcoastwatersportsnj.com.)
The splashing and bumping
are part of the fun, so it’s easy to drop things.
June 22, 2023 EXIT ZERO Page 43