Whale Watching Worldwide

Operations farther north in New Hampshire and Maine offer similar length trips and see similar species.
Prices are also similar although vessels tend to be smaller, and there are fewer operators and whale
watchers than in the concentrated Stellwagen area. New Hampshire operators also use the northern part
of the Stellwagen Sanctuary, as well as Jeffreys Ledge, a long bank that stretches from northern Stellwagen
to near Portland in Maine. Some trips also offer fishing, lobster catching, puffin watching and general nature
cruises.
A handful of operators also run boat‐based trips out of Nantucket and Rhode Island. There are some
dedicated trips, though these have to travel farther than operators farther north. Many trips are also
offered featuring seals and pelagic birds.
Main species: Large cetaceans:
fin whale, humpback whale, minke whale,
North Atlantic right whale
Small cetaceans:
Atlantic white‐sided dolphin, harbour
porpoise
Tourists:
International 15%
Domestic 85%
Types of tours: 4 hour boat‐based trips, mainly to Stellwagen
Bank or Jeffreys Ledge some 20 miles
offshore.
Average adult ticket price: $40 for adults and $30 for children
Estimated employment
730
numbers:
Main whale watch season: May to October
Acknowledgements:
Thanks to Bob Avila, Kathy Zagzebski at the National Marine Life Center, Jooke Robbins at Provincetown Centre for
Coastal Studies, Mason Weinrich at Whale Center of New England and several operators.
References:
NOAA , 2008. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Draft Management Plan / Draft Environmental Assessment,
National Marine Sanctuary Program, Silver Spring, MD
http://www.jeffreysledge.org/
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