Whale-watching tours off NJ coast in Jan?

Submitted by GuyNBlack t3_zxyzf3 in newjersey

I recently moved to NJ, and I have parents from out of town to visit this month. They have gotten in their head that they want to do a whale-watching tour. Everything I've read online says that the season ends in December (and while there are still whales in January, it isn't recommended because it is so cold on the water). I've tried to talk my parents into doing this on another trip, but honestly, I won't hear the end of it unless I take them.

Does anybody have any experience taking one of the tours in January?

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stickman07738 t1_j23fpa8 wrote

Never been on a tour but yesterday saw one whale break the surface off Sandy Hook.

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weaselpoopcoffee1 t1_j23wc8k wrote

There are whale watching tours in Cape May but I'm not sure when they run. There are seal tours coming up this January though.

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Glengal t1_j267jxg wrote

I wouldn't go on one in the winter, but I get cold quickly. You are out in the spray; you get soaked. Make sure there is a heated bar where you can relax while mom and dad freeze :)

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Antique-Confidence-4 t1_j26nmod wrote

I don't have experience whale-watching in January, so I don't know what to expect.

I did, however, live in Maine for many years, and went on a whale-watching tour during the summer. We didn't see any whales (inclement weather), so they gave us a (no time limit) credit for another tour (and said they would continue to do so until we actually watched a whale!).

Maybe they'll do that here? So if they don't see any whales this time, they can try again when they visit next?

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Antique-Confidence-4 t1_j26o3tb wrote

And as someone above said, it will be COLD. Spray is a thing. We were cold even during the summer.

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ansky201 t1_j23qvzi wrote

I have been living in NJ for over 25 years and didn't even know whale watching was a thing here. I did a whale watching trip near Cape Cod many years ago during the summer, and it was one of the most boring things I have ever done.

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EmbracedByLeaves t1_j24pv2e wrote

Some of the party boats started doing them because they are easy cash. Pay captain and maybe 2 mates. No need to buy bait, minimal fuel, etc.

Easy money from a bunch of tourists.

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Sweet-Fun-Momof-2 t1_j24sprw wrote

Yup. 2 boats out of belmar. Sea Eagle and Miss Belmar.

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EmbracedByLeaves t1_j24t56d wrote

Princess whale tours in the summer are a nightmare. With the pier bar, marina bar, and a whale trip, good luck parking anywhere to hop on a boat.

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