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Tips for Whale Watching Aloft

Whale Watching Tips When You're Aloft: a Jonathan Livingston Seagull Perspective!

Obviously, you're going to get a very different view of the whales when you're whale watching aloft, so - although it may be a little more expensive - it might also be the most exciting way!

But before we get to our tips specific to when you're doing your whale watching from a boat, a quick review of our general tips for whale watching:

Brief Summary:

  • Plan your trip for peak whale watching season
  • Pick a spot that's known for its whale watching
  • Choose a calm, clear day
  • Be patient
  • And last, but not least: Things to bring along
       A good pair of binoculars;
       A camera or video cam with a decent zoom lens;
       Sun screen and sun glasses;
       Warm clothes, in case it turns nippy;
       A picnic lunch, snacks, and something to drink

You may have been whale watching in the past. If so, chances are you were watching from ashore or you took an ocean-going whale watching boat. But have you ever been flightseeing for whales?

Insiders Secret: If you're planning a stay anywhere along the Northern California coastline, check with the staff where you're lodging for local companies who offer flightseeing tours by airplane, helicopter, or even by blimp.


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Whale Watching Tips When You're Aloft

Whale watching from aloft - or flightseeing, as it's coming to be known - offers special views and extra thrills, but you'll need a few extra tips as well.

  • As with boating, you'll want to consider the motion sickness issue

    Is anyone in the group susceptible to motion sickness, or will this be your first time on a boat?

    It's probably a good idea to explore the preventatives and remedies available.

             There are many options these days, from the familiar Dramamine
              to Sea Bands to The Patch and more...

  • How to whale watch, and what to look for: when you're whale watching, this is how to go about it and what you'll be looking for...
  • From the air, you can the surface of the water, but you can also look down into it - whales and other deep water denizens are much easier to spot from a good whale watching aircraft
  • Look for a blow, or spout (as seen above) - when the whale surfaces after a dive, he'll blow the air out through his blow hole, creating a misty vapor jet
  • Also look for whale footprints, especially if you're on a high promontory - you may be able to spot the glassy mark a whale makes on the surface of the ocean, almost like an oil slick (see photo at Tips for Whale Watching)


For more whale watching tips and information, click on any of the links below:


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