Tuesday, July 12

This morning we started our trip with 3 Minke whales, which seemed to appear out of nowhere. They were all at the surface and then just as quickly most of them disappeared. No worries. There was another whale near by. Actually, two! Two Fin whales appeared to just be circling around the area. However, soon after moving into the area the whales took off. We attempted to get some looks at these speed-demon whales (they are the 2nd fastest baleen whales in the world!) but, with their effortless movements they continued to press on leaving us to continue to catch up. Eventually we managed to get a decent look at one of these whales but quickly decided it was time to head further offshore.

After many attempts we finally could appreciate the massive size of a Fin whale

We made our way to an area where we spent time watching 3 Humpback whales meandering around while a single Fin whale passed by out in the distance. All three of our Humpback whales were creating bubble clouds while they moved around as we slowly meandered around the whales and tuna fleet.

Humpback whale (above and below)

After some nice looks at Hornbill, #0050 and Quill, we spotted another Fin whale during our travels home. We decided to take a chance and see if we could have more luck with this Fin whale. Our determination paid off as we got some GREAT looks as this whale was doing some tight circles around the area.

Fin whale with White Island in the background

To add a cherry on top of an already great trip, we passed by a harbor seal that even took the time to take a quick look at us before dipping below the waterline.

Harbor seal watching us watch it!

This afternoon we started the trip with a large Fin whale. This whale is a familiar whale, and the first time we have seen this particular whale this year. Great to see you again #0354!

Fin whale #0354

With some wonderful looks at this Fin whale we made our way over to Hornbill who was doing a bit of traveling. With a few quick looks we continued back offshore and found Quill and #0050 still in a similar area from this morning. We ended up getting some incredible looks at Quill who was surfacing so close to us multiple times as this whale was busy circling around and creating bubble clouds!

Quill

Similar to this morning, while traveling towards home we picked up another spout, which turned into two! There were two Fin whales traveling past us. These whales were on the move so it was a brief encounter but another sighting of more whales to wrap up a successful day on the water!

Monday, July 11

After another stretch of windy, rainy, miserable weather we were finally back on the water searching for marine life today. What a nice change of pace when we were surrounded by such beautiful ocean conditions.

Stunning backdrop to look for whales and enjoy Mother Nature this morning

Soon after leaving the harbor this morning we passed by a handful of Harbor porpoise before heading offshore. In total, we saw 4 Minke whales, a Fin whale traveling through the area and 3 Humpback whales. Our Humpback whales were familiar tails including Hornbill, #0050 and Quill.

Hornbill

Quill

These whales were all busy moving back and forth among boats fishing for bluefin tuna today. The whales were so busy circling around that they continued to remain in the same location during our afternoon trip! While being sure to slowly maneuver around the boats and the whales we enjoyed some wonderful looks at these familiar visitors.

Whale tail

Humpback whale #0050

Humpback whale spout

This afternoon we also checked out a Minke whale and certainly enjoyed being back on the water with some beautiful weather.

Afternoon Minke whale

Wednesday, July 6

This morning we started our trip with a sighting we have only seen a few times this season; an Ocean sunfish!

Ocean sunfish

These large bony fish are so interesting looking and with such great sea conditions our passengers could really grasp the uniqueness of this fish. During the rest of the trip we saw 9 Minke whales getting some closer looks at some of these whales than others.

Morning Minke whale

We also spent time with a Fin whale this morning. We have not seen this whale yet this season so it was a great surprise to see this newcomer visiting the area. After a quick look through our Fin Whale Catalog, care of Blue Ocean Society, we were able to determine this whale is #0021, a whale first seen by Blue Ocean researchers in 2000!

Fin whale #0021's dorsal fin

We ended our trip with another type of whale; a Humpback whale. Familiar whale #0050 continues to spend time in our region.

Humpback whale #0050

This afternoon we started with not just one Humpback whale, but two! We once again found #0050 but also had another new visitor to the area. Quill the Humpback whale has returned. We were lucky enough to see this specific whale many times last season but this is the first sighting of this whale this year!

Quill the Humpback whale (above and below)

Quill

In addition, we also attempted to get looks at the 5 Minke whales we saw during our travels.  Eventually our patience paid off. We finally got a look at one of these whales before checking out yet another type of whale not to far away. Our final whale of the day was a Fin whale. This whale initially was on the move but slowed down allowing for some great looks wrapping up another successful day of watching wildlife!

Fin whale

Tuesday, July 5

The weather was all across the spectrum today. We saw fog, raindrops, more fog, haze, did I mention fog(?), oh yeah, then finally some sun. Foggy conditions can definitely prove to be extra challenging when it comes to finding whales but with a little luck, some great fishing friends on the water, and good old fashion patience we had a great day of whale sightings! This morning we saw 5 Minke whales, Humpback whale #0050 and 2 Fin whales. One of our commonly sighted mammals, the magic of the Minke whale, was a wonderful start to the day as these whales could showcase their effortless movements as they moved around at the surface.

First sighting of the day, a Minke whale

Another morning Minke whale

With more Minke whales sighted as the day continued we headed offshore. Soon we found ourselves surrounded by fog and doing some searching. Out of the blue a radio call came in from one of our fishing friends reporting a whale only a few miles from our current location. Off we went and found #0050, the Humpback whale, circling around.

Humpback whale #0050

We had some wonderful looks at this whale especially when it suddenly decided to tail breach and lobtail!

Humpback whale lobtailing while rolled over on its back!

From there we went to investigate another spout and found a Fin whale. This whale also provided some phenomenal looks as it took so many breaths at the surface often times relatively close to us.

Massive Fin whale

Before heading for home we came across our Humpback whale again. Since this whale was busy doing donuts in the area, we literally just sat there, floating at the surface, watching wildlife be wild.

Whale watchers aren't the only ones that watch whales. This tuna fishing boat, famously known from the show Wicked Tuna, Tuna.com is seen catching a glimpse of our Humpback whale while fishing for bluefin tuna.

Once it was time to head for home we had to quickly stop short at one point because a familiar friend suddenly surfaced right alongside the boat. Dingle the Fin whale made a quick appearance!

Dingle's distinct dorsal fin

This afternoon we started in much better conditions. We could see around us but eventually we once again found ourselves socked in fog. Our first and second attempts of watching whales were not very successful as we saw and quickly lost both a Minke whale and Fin whale during our travels offshore. The third time was a charm as we found ourselves with 2 Minke whales and Humpback whale #0050 around.

Afternoon Minke whale

Humpback whale tail

The day continued on, the fog began to dissipate and finally we found ourselves surrounded by a beautifully calm ocean AND visibility.

Such a calm ocean as our Humpback whale surfaces for a breath of air

In total we saw 5 Minke whales, #0050 and 4 Fin whales this afternoon. At the end of the trip we saw a few Fin whales in the distance but with their swift movements through the water we watched them from a distance before disappearing below the waterline. A handful of lucky passengers even ended the day with a distant look at a breaching Basking shark. What a day full of unexpected weather and wonderful whale sightings!

Sunday, July 3

The weather has continued to be extremely cooperative this holiday weekend creating a pleasant backdrop for searching for wildlife again today. This morning we spotted 9 Minke whales, 5 Fin whales and a Humpback whale. Our Minke whales were appearing all throughout the day, popping up here and there, including each time we were watching something else nearby.

One of the many Minke whales seen today. This one has such a uniquely-shaped dorsal fin we know this whale is a whale we have seen in past seasons, and now again this year!

In addition to all the Minke whales around, we had at one point 3 Fin whales in a generalized area even though they were all on the move separately.

Morning Fin whale

One of this morning's Fin whales was #9709, a regular sighting recently. Stay as long as you would like large Fin whale. We always enjoy seeing such massive mammals in our small part of the Gulf of Maine!

Fin whale #9709

On top of the multiple Fin whales and Minke whales this morning we were also fortunate enough to come across a Humpback whale. One look at the underside tail pattern of this whale and we knew it was a familiar fluke. Humpback whale #0050 is back. We last saw this whale June 8, almost a full month ago. Who knows where this whale has traveled to but it was certainly a nice surprise to see it here again!

Humpback whale #0050

This afternoon we were once again treated to multiple whales: Humpback whale #0050, a Fin whale and 4 Minke whales.

Humpback whale tail

Our afternoon Fin whale has been identified as #0282, a whale first sighted in the Jeffreys Ledge area in 2002!

Afternoon Fin whale

Fin whale #0282 uniquely-shaped dorsal fin and scar on its tailstock

While in route back to Rye Harbor this evening we had one more sighting left for our passengers; a Basking shark. So many great looks at so many of our marine creatures today!

Basking shark fin

Saturday, July 2

The stiff westerly wind was blustery onshore today but thankfully didn’t reach much further past the Isles of Shoals making for some very nice whale watching conditions.   This morning, the first fin whale we located was our friend, Dingle. 

Dingle coming up for a breath

Dingle

He has been seen a couple of times recently so great to know that he’s sticking around! He must have been doing some feeding since he, uh, relieved himself near our boat. What a lucky group we had onboard this morning. Not everyone can say that they have seen whale poo!   As we were watching Dingle, a minke whale also scooted on by.

We continued on to find another minke whale and then a second fin whale. This one goes by the ID# 9709, a female who calved last year! Fin whales typically give birth to a new calf every 2-3 years. 

#9709

#9709's unique chevron marking

#9709 is also known for her “sneak attacks” as was evidenced today! She surfaced twice without warning very close to our boat as we were sitting still waiting to see where she’d surface next. I remember years ago, she came up right underneath the pulpit of the boat and everyone on the bow got a nice covering of whale breath!

We started to head home, and found another minke whale. We were passing by the Isles of Shoals, just 5 miles from Rye Harbor when we saw another large spout right in front of us! Another fin whale, and pretty close to shore! Sometimes whales chase the bait fish in to more coastal areas but it is rare to see one between the Shoals and the harbor! We aren’t sure who this whale was yet but we are hoping to identify it.

beautiful chevron marking of our unknown whale

This afternoon, we headed out in search of our in-shore fin whale but only found a minke whale in its place.  We spotted a second minke whale just past the Shoals. Then we saw a spout from a larger whale. Fin whale, Comet, was back! This is the first time to my knowledge that Comet has been seen this year. She had an extremely curious calf last year, and today she decided to do a close approach to us herself.  We have been sighting Comet since 1997- nearly 20 years, so it was fantastic to see her again!

Comet behind Appledore Island

Comet's sneaky surfacing right alongside us!

Comet's unique fin

We found another minke whale before seeing another elusive blow in the distance. This was likely the whale that goes by the ID# 0282, but it wasn’t being all that cooperative for our purposes. This whale had feeding in mind and was all over the place. Hopefully we’ll see it again soon. But as we were waiting for 0282 to resurface, we spotted a young seal pup just off the bow.

We continued a bit further to find another fin whale. This one hasn’t been identified yet. 

Then on the journey home, we passed by yet another fin whale!   It is so nice to have whales relatively close to shore these days; more time with whales, less travel time! Last week we had to travel 2 hours to see whales! So glad we had some much closer today.

Friday, July 1

Happy July all! The winds picked up this afternoon so we ran a single trip today. This morning we started our trip with a Basking shark.

Basking shark fin

Dorsal fin (left) and tail fin (right) of our Basking shark

While in the area a Minke whale appeared. It didn't take long to see that there were even more Minke whales in the area, 3 in total, all darting around. What a nice surprise so close to home. We eventually continued offshore but before getting to Jeffreys Ledge we came across a Fin whale.

Fin whales are HUGE. This is just a small portion of a Fin whale at the surface.

This whale was alternating between circling and doing a bit of traveling. Eventually we were able to determine that this was a familiar whale. Fin whale #9709 was here. We spent a bit more time with this adult female before continuing on offshore.

Fin whale #9709 swimming towards us!

Throughout the trip we passed by more Minke whales and had a few near our Fin whales, for we came across another Fin whale out on Jeffreys Ledge. We had in total 9 Minke whales for the day and another familiar Fin whale, #0331, seen just yesterday for the first time this season.

Fin whale #0331