Wonderful day. Jon, our tour guide and Naturalist, was terrific. Lots of good information... read more
Over the years we have carried tens of thousands of children on our whale watching adventures, so you are not the first to ask this question!
With toddlers (and I have two myself), taking them anywhere presents challenges... More
Over the years we have carried tens of thousands of children on our whale watching adventures, so you are not the first to ask this question!
With toddlers (and I have two myself), taking them anywhere presents challenges! We suggest that you help prepare your kids. If you do this before you get on the boat, the whale watch will be much more meaningful for them.
Familiarize yourself and your child with our boat-Whale Watcher. Before you board, walk around the Harbor and get some first looks. As you look at the boat, talk about the trip ahead and address any concerns they may have.
We would suggest trying to get an inside table in the lower cabin when you board the boat. This gives you a base from which to explore the boat and a place for your belongings that is out of the winds/sun.
Your naturalist will review boat safety at the start your trip. The Whale Watcher is a fully certificated passenger carrying vessel, and children do not need to bring or wear life jackets.
Travel time to and from the whales is +/- one hour. You can fight boredom by bringing activities for your kids. A backpack with crayons and coloring books, playing cards, field guides, and yes of course, electronic devices, can go a long way in filling that time.
The Whale Watcher has a full service galley with food and drinks for all ages, but you may also pack snacks for your kids. Coolers up to six-pack sized are permitted, but must be stored out of the way. Before your trip, fuel up on plenty of water, and lighter foods which are easy to digest. We have three restroom on board as well.
Learning about whales will also help prepare them for their trip. Humpback, finback, and Minke whales are the species we most often encounter. You may want to remind your child that whales are wild animals; they are not trained. The species of whales they will see, and what the whales will do, depends on the day.
We hope this lends itself to answering your concerns, please let us know if there's anything else you need! Hope to see you aboard!- Jon
