Admit it. Whenever you hear any sort of reference to “whales”, your arm instantly shoots up, your head automatically tilts backwards and you proclaim wildly, “Freeeeee Willy!” Don’t worry. We’ve all been victims of that old cliché. But here you are, in beautiful Atlantic Canada. You’ve heard about these whale watching tours and you’re certainly convinced they’ve become an unwritten must-see rule. But before embarking on the ultimate whale watching experience, take a look at some of our whale watching tips.
Share the experience
Having a whale watching buddy comes in handy when the tour lasts a couple of hours. Not only will company help make time go by quicker when the whales decide to be a little shy, but you if you’re prone to motion sickness, you don’t want to go through it alone if you forgot to take sea sickness medication.
Disposables vs Digital Cameras
Wanting to capture every moment of your first whale watching experience is understandable so consider the type of camera you have. If your digital camera isn’t in grade-A condition or you’ve simply forgotten it, grab a disposable camera at the local gift shop.
Up, down, up, down, side to side… oh boy.
Make sure you don’t spend the entire journey hugging the railing. Visit your local pharmacy for Dramamine or other motion sickness medication. The best way to take care of a little sea sickness when there isn’t any medication on board is to stay outside on deck, find a spot on the horizon and keep your eyes glued on it. Talk to your whale watching buddy to keep your mind off your rumbling tummy.
“Are we there yet?”
Some tours can last anywhere from 30 minutes up to 2 hours. After a I was while, the “Look over there! Oh and there!” scenario can become a little monotonous. Make sure to bring something with you to make the time trickle by. Again, remember that friend we were talking about?
Dressing for the part
When you’re contemplating to join a whale watching tour, remember this; the temperature on the ocean is far cooler than onshore. You are very welcome to wear your shorts and tank top with a pair of flip flops, but it’s hard to take a clear picture when you’re shivering. Wear warm clothes. You’ll be happy you did.
Keep in mind, many things can factor in your whole whale watching experience. Choosing the right tour company, the weather, the actual appearance of the whales. So if your first time isn’t as you expected, don’t be discouraged. There’s always another day! Now, in the spirit of old clichés, let’s get ready for a whale of a good time!