October 4, 2024

To say that there was a lot that happened on this whale watch would be a severe understatement. Our trip started very early with quick looks at an ocean sunfish less than a mile out from Rye Harbor. Not everyone was able to get looks at this fish, but that's A-okay because by the time we were passing the Isles of Shoals we had another sunfish that remained at the surface for all to see. 

Ocean sunfish dorsal fin

After continuing along towards an area where we had luck finding whales earlier in the week, we found our first whales in the form of four humpbacks resting near the surface and a distant fin whale. These humpbacks included Gunslinger, Owl, Solo, and Spoon. After a few minutes these whales woke and went down on a deeper dive. Just as I was explaining the difference between toothed whales and baleen whales, a THRESHER SHARK breached right off of our starboard side!!! This shark was unmistakable by its long caudal (tail) fin as it flew through the air. I was at a loss of words, and unfortunately a loss of photographs as well since I was too shocked to react. 

Humpback diving with fin whale behind

Two humpbacks diving

After spending some more time with our group of four whales, we left them to rest while we ventured over to another pair of humpback whales a little ways in the distance. One of the whales had gone on a deeper dive, so we were about to spend time with the other when all of the sudden...

Humpback whale breaching

A SPINNING HEAD BREACH!!! Aerial displays are not something we expect to see from these animals on the regular, and this year has certainly been light on it, so this encounter was equally as shocking as it was impressive! This whale was one and done with breaches, but it was one I'm sure many of us won't soon forget. 

Basking shark dorsal fin

Other marine life in the area included a single juvenile humpback whale, at least two more distant fin whales, and a basking shark. By this point we were very much out of time and had to make our way back towards home, but just as we were about to pick up speed we noticed a nearby fin whale going down on a deeper dive, and next to it was a small group of Atlantic white-sided dolphins, only 3-4 animals in that pod. 

White-sided dolphin

We got to spend a few minutes with these dolphins and then it was finally time to say goodbye to all of our whale friends. An unforgettable day filled with truly exceptional marine life!