Travel On My Terms: Whale Watching

It's Whale Watching day!! Tuesday 10/18, Suzan and I have been waiting for this adventure.

The boat left from Circle Quay (pronounced Circle Key). Scheduled to leave at noon, we caught the 10:22 train and got there early, so checked in and had a latte while we waited.

The boat was a typical charter boat with two levels. We opted to stay on the first level only because everyone went upstairs which ultimately forced some folks to come back down. We had a great spot near the bow with what turned out to be an excellent viewing point for both the starboard and port sides.

About half a dozen folks sat out on the bow who, after the first spray of ocean water headed back in rather drenched. As soon as the boat left the dock lunch was served, the intent to have everyone fed before we hit open, potentially rough, waters. On one hand, it was nice to have lunch, on the other I wondered if it was wise to fill us all up then go boating.

Lunch was a buffet and of course no one listened to directions - go out the door on the starboard side and walk towards the stern to the buffet line. Lunch was lovely - coleslaw, a version of pasta salad, tossed salad, roasted chicken, roasted potatoes, sausages, rolls, butter, tomato sauce (not ketchup - sauce!) and fresh fruit. We had brought our own fruit, wonderful Australian Oranges.

Once we got out of the harbor things got a bit more rough, it was kind of like riding an amusement park ride - up and down, side to side with regular sprays of water. They offered free drink to the first person to see a whale - won by the captain. But I saw the first while rise on the port side - sadly no free drink.

As we went out, we had maybe 15 sightings but they were all just surface before diving. Then dolphins joined us, swimming along our bow.

I went whale watching in San Francisco and even though we spotted over 40 whales, we never saw a whale breach. I've always wanted to see one live - and today was that day! Suzan got the picture, I wasn't fast enough, but she was happy to share. I had read that this time of year mothers and calves are migrating south and were staying close to shore. And that is what we found - close to a shore a female and her calf.