August 1-2, 2024

Thursday afternoon provided much needed reprieve from the high temperatures on land as we made our way offshore. Once we reached the ledge, we were able to spend time with three different humpback whales included Satula, Clamp, and the 2024 calf of Clamp. 

Humpback whale diving

Mom/calf pair of humpbacks

Whilst spending time with these humpbacks, we were also able to get quick looks at two passing minke whales as well as a single fin whale moving through the area. 

Satula Diving

Atlantic White-sided dolphin

Before we had to make our turn back towards Rye, we were granted looks at a small pod of white-sided dolphins moving through the area, briefly spending time around Satula. 

Beautiful surface conditions Friday morning gave way to an early sighting of a minke whale and an ocean sunfish, before we continued along out towards Jeffrey's Ledge. 

Ocean sunfish

Pinball diving

Once there, we spent time with four different humpback whales, including Clamp, her 2024 calf, as well as Pinball and Satula. Many of these whales leaving evidence of subsurface feeding behind as remnants of their bubble clouds began rising up towards the surface.

Mom/calf pair diving

mom/calf humpbacks

It was exciting getting the chance to see this calf raising its tail above the surface as it went down on deeper dives. Definitely not something we expect to see when we are lucky enough to come across calves, as fluking is a learned behavior passed on from mother to offspring. 

Friday afternoon was another case of the ocean helping us to beat the heat we were leaving behind on land! Our first encounter of the trip consisted of quick looks at an ocean sunfish before we pressed on further south in search of large whales. 

Ocean sunfish

Once on the ledge, we spent time between four humpback whales, Satula, Pinball, Clamp and her 2024 calf. 

Humpback whales surfacing

Pinball diving

Pinball and Satula were both darting around the area, very likely chasing down schools of fish, while Clamp and her calf were spending a lot of time resting before ultimately traveling near the surface. All the while, a minke whale was circling the area, providing us excellent looks as we waited for our humpback whales to resurface. 

Humpback mom/calf diving

Aug 1, 2024

Yesterday, July 31, we stayed at the dock due to high winds and rough seas. Fortunately, Thursday morning was much nicer with just a long swell coming in from the SE. 

We saw a small group of Atlantic white-sided dolphins to start off our trip, but these speedy critters had other things on their mind. A small harbor seal pup surfaced nearby as we were waiting for the dolphins to reappear.  Then we found a huge fin whale taking short dives and surfacing sporadically. 

After a bit more traveling, a few humpback whales surfaced along with another fin whale and a very social minke whale! Satula was the first whale we saw. He came up close to the boat briefly before moving on to find more food.

Next we saw a pair of humpbacks, Clamp and her calf! The calf was on its own for a bit while Clamp was busy feeding subsurface. They eventually rejoined and moved off on their merry way. 

Our trip home saw some harbor porpoises, an ocean sunfish and another small group of dolphins! 

Stay tuned for details from the afternoon trip on Aug 1!

July 30, 2024

On Tuesday morning we came across a new visitor to the area for the season. Valley the humpback whale was spotted! We always enjoy seeing familiar whales spend time in our area each season.

Humpback whale

We also found a pod of common dolphins, a species of dolphins not commonly seen in our area. What fun finds! 

Common dolphin (above and below)

On the afternoon trip, we watched a pair of humpback whales (Dyad and Ravine), and another humpback whale was briefly seen swimming through the area. We even came across a pair of fin whales at the end of the day.

Diving humpback whale

Humpback whales

Fin whale

July 28, 2024

Ocean conditions were stunning all day on Sunday. In the morning, we checked out one of the three basking sharks sighted, a pod of about 50 Atlantic white-sided dolphins, a quick look at a fin whale, and humpback whales Ravine and Pixar. 

Basking shark

Incoming dolphin!

Humpback whale

It didn't matter what species we were watching the ocean allowed for amazing looks. 

The ocean was so calm that even subsurface, Atlantic white-sided dolphins were mesmerizing to watch!

Diving humpback whale

The afternoon ocean provided just as beautiful of a backdrop. The trip started with an ocean sunfish before finding Dyad the humpback whale. 

Ocean sunfish fin

Then we spent time with a nursery pod of approximately 80 Atlantic white-sided dolphins. 

Afternoon Atlantic white-sided dolphin

A basking shark was briefly seen while we were watching the dolphins and the day wrapped up with Pixar the humpback whale.

Humpback whale (above and below)

 

July 26, 2024

 After making our way offshore Friday morning, we began our trip by spending time with a fin whale. After that, another. Then another. Until finally, we had spent time with at least five individual fin whales! This season has been a stark contrast to our last several with a very noticeable increase in sightings of fin whales aboard our trips. 

Fin whale diving

In and amongst our fin whale soup, we got quick looks at an ocean sunfish. 

Ocean Sunfish

Atlantic white-sided dolphin

Amidst our journey back towards Rye Harbor, we were stopped by a decent sized pod of around 120 Atlantic white-sided dolphins! After leaving our first pod behind, we passed by two more groups on our ride home!

Our afternoon trip began in a southerly direction, leading us to our first sighting of the trip, a humpback whale known as Dyad! While we were getting looks at Dyad, we also noticed an ocean sunfish spending some time near the surface so we moved over to get a couple quick looks before pressing on. 

Humpback whale diving

Ocean sunfish

As we continued on, we did a whole lot of searching, and eventually we turned up with a very cooperative fin whale, not spending much time beneath the surface at all. This whale continued to give us excellent looks before we ultimately had to make our turn back towards Rye. 

Fin whale

July 22-23, 2024

The start of the week brought surprises, as all our trips do, with unique sightings to experience. On Monday morning, we started with a brief look at a basking shark before seeing a GREAT WHITE shark!

Basking shark. Its dorsal fin is on the left and its tail fin is on the right.

Subsurface great white shark!

While this photo may not be convincing, it's a great white shark, and our friends at the New England Aquarium confirmed the sighting. For those interested, our sighting information has been reported. We also saw an ocean sunfish before spending time with Entropy the humpback whale. Another beautiful morning on the calm seas and incredible sightings! 

Ocean sunfish

Humpback whale filtering out saltwater

On Monday afternoon, we found ourselves in an area with spouts all around. At least three fin whales and two humpback whales were constantly changing directions. Even a basking shark popped up in the mix. These whales were moving so much, within minutes there would be a spout to see from any direction around the boat.

Fin whale

Humpback whale (above and below)

Tuesday's sea conditions were just as stunning; barely a breath of wind. Both trips provided such a variety of life! On Tuesday morning we saw an ocean sunfish, a basking shark, a minke whale, a fin whale, and five humpback whales. 

We've been seeing plenty of ocean sunfish recently!

Minke whale

Humpback whale

Crow the fin whale was moving around and known humpback whales included Pinball, Entropy, Satula, and Spoon. 

Crow the fin whale

A crowd favorite, Pinball!

The ocean was so calm while watching the whales!

An uptick in shearwaters was seen today including Cory's shearwaters

Tuesday's afternoon trip brought us three basking sharks, six ocean sunfish, a LEATHERBACK turtle (the second one of the season!), a pod of uncommonly seen common dolphins, and humpback whales Pinball, Satula, and Quote. Wow.

One of three basking sharks sighted

Ocean sunfish

Another basking shark

Couldn't resist snapping a picture of this mature Northern Gannet

Leatherback sea turtle!

Subsurface common dolphins!

Humpback whale diving