EDUCATORS - WE WANT TO BE YOUR NEXT FIELD TRIP DESTINATION! Bring your class or the whole school...we do it over 100
times each year!
Starting at only $15 per person • Groups to 290 800-786-5445
or 609-884-5445
New
Jersey Core Curriculum Standards for Science:
Standard 5.12 ALL STUDENTS WILL DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING
OF THE ENVIRONMENT AS A SYSTEM OF INTERDEPENDENT COMPONENTS EFFECTED
BY HUMAN ACTIVITY AND NATURAL PHENOMENA.
OUR
SCHOOL PROGRAM...
School groups have been sailing aboard the 110 foot Cape May Whale
Watcher since 1993. Groups range from 25 to 290 students.
They come from grade schools, high schools, special ed. schools,
and colleges. The most popular trips for schools are the 10 a.m. , 2 hour Dolphin Watch and the 1
p.m., 3 hour Whale and Dolphin Watch. We are flexible. By May and June, Thursday and Friday are the most popular days...so
book early!
WHAT
WILL WE SEE ON A TRIP...
Trips aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher are multi-faceted. Each
trip combines the opportunity to view and learn about marine mammals,
sea birds and other ocean life. All trips are fully narrated.
Students have the chance to view and learning about historic Cape
May. The city is a National Historic Landmark. It has a unique
history as the nation's oldest seaside resort and as a maritime
center. The history portion of our trip was developed with the
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts (MAC), museum operator of Cape
May Lighthouse, the Emlen Physic Estate, and Cape May Trolley
Tours. A summary of trip highlights are listed below (over 20
historic sites on our 2 hour trip).
The
question often arises about the marine mammals we will see and
when is the best time. The species we most regularly sight are
Bottlenose Dolphins, Humpback Whales, and Finback Whales. For
Cape May there is no specific season for large whales. Humpback
whales and finback whales occur here every month of the year.
Does that mean we are guaranteed to sight them? No, they are wild
animals and constantly move around. Large whales are few in number,
often alone, and unpredictable. In fact, Humpback Whales are an
endangered species.
Bottlenose
dolphins are abundant from early May into October. While more
predictable than large whales, the number and location of sightings
can vary from trip to trip. During this time, it is unusual not
to sight dolphins during a trip. Whenever marine mammals are sighted
we stop, view, and offer lecture about the dolphins or whales
we are watching.
The
Cape May Whale Watcher is the largest and fastest marine
mammal cruise in southern New Jersey. She is not a fishing
boat cleaned up for cruising. We have the most open deck
space for viewing of any vessel at the shore. Trips begin in March
and finish in December. She is U.S. Coast Guard certified
to carry up to 287 passengers. The upper deck seats 90.
The lower deck includes a spacious heated cabin and enclosed
deck house. Separate restrooms are provided.
There is a fully stocked snack bar on board serving a variety
from hot dogs and pizza to coffee, sodas, and snacks. Accessories
such as hats, sweatshirts, t-shirts, cameras, and film are also
available on board or at the Dancing Dolphin Gift Shop.
The cabin is equipped with a video player where an educational
program can be presented.
What
is the Cost? 10
a.m. 2 Hour Dolphin Watch* $15
per person - school group rate [regular
rate is $25 per person]
1
p.m. 3 Hour Whale & Dolphin Watch$20 per person school group rate
NEED A DIFFERENT TIME? Let us know!
LOOK!
Add
Pizza and Hot dogs for only $5 per person: Everyone
in your group can enjoy pizza, hotdogs and a beverage.
*The
2 hour trip includes an around Cape Island (circle) tour
and history narrative developed with the Mid-Atlantic Center
for the Arts, museum operator of Cape May Lighthouse, Emlen
Physick Estate, and Cape May Trolley tours. The trip includes
over 20 historic sights in addition to sighting Atlantic Bottle-nosed
Dolphins.
For
school groups of 250+ we can offer a special 'boat' price.
Please call. In addition, groups larger than 290 can be
accommodated. The above schedule is our suggested times.
If this doesn't work for you, please let us know.
Sincerely,
Capt.
Jeff & Mary Stewart
P. S.
A Word to Skeptics...
There really are marine mammals in New Jersey. This is the
same ocean as Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Florida.
These places have invested millions to promote their native fauna
such as whales, dolphins, seals, manatees, and birds. Guess
what? New Jersey takes second to none of these places.
Example: nearly three thousand Bottlenose Dolphins visit
New Jersey every year! All those Humpback Whales that New
England capitalizes on spend a great deal of time feeding near the Delaware
Bay. Why? Food, whales have to eat and the Delaware Bay
is one of the richest marine habitats on the east coast.
Birds? Cape May is world famous for bird watching.
Also,
a special thank you to those of you who sailed with us already.
You made it a great year to remember. We hope
to see you again soon!
Call
us at 800-786-5445 (Northeast) or 609-884-5445
2
Hour Dolphin Watch Trip Highlights/ 3 hour trip similar.
ATLANTIC BOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHINS [in season]
The Cape May Canal [circa 1942]
Cape May-Lewes Ferry
Historic whaling community of Town Bank [circa 1670]
Higbees Beach Wildlife Management Area
Concrete Ship at Sunset Beach [circa 1926]
Delaware Bay
Cape May Point [circa 1875]
Cape May Lighthouse by water [circa 1859]
WWII U-boat submarine gun mount
WWII U-boat submarine lookout towers
Sail over the vanished Victorian town of South Cape May
Victorian Cape May beach front
Congress Hall
Poverty Beach
Cold Spring Inlet [circa 1910]
East Cape May
Cold Spring Harbor [circa 1905]
U.S. Coast Guard Training Center and Fleet
Intercoastal Waterway, and Fisherman's Wharf.
The trip may also cruise along the beach front of Wildwood Crest
and Diamond Beach.
