“As we approached the area, we could both see geysers of water shooting up in the air intermittently…As we slowly idled closer and closer, the whale seemed to be about thirty to thirty-five feet long. As it rolled on its side, it beat the water with a twelve-foot long pectoral fin. We stopped the boat a respectful distance away and silently watched the playful mammal.” *
Humpback Whale Surfaces
A well-kept secret is that the winter months are a wonderful time for whales and visitors to enjoy Virginia Beach. The whales are migrating from northern areas to tropical breeding grounds and linger here annually to feed on large schools of menhaden and bay anchovies. These same huge schools of bait allow Virginia Beach to claim the unrivaled title of “The Striped Bass Capital of the World.” Visiting whales include humpback and fin whales with an occasional right whale. Adult humpbacks are generally 45′ to 52′ long weighing up to 40 tons. Fin whales are the second longest whale species, growing to lengths of 88′ while Northern Hemisphere fin whales visiting Virginia Beach approach a norm of 70′.
Hawaii’s wonderful slogan “Don’t Hassle the Humpbacks” mirrors federal whale protection regulations that allow respectful viewing from a distance of 100 yards. Fortunately for us, the whales don’t know the rules and sometimes choose to swim up to idling watch boats to the delight of visitors. Typical behaviors may include lunge feeding, diving, tail and flipper slapping, the occasional dramatic breach, and “spyhopping” where whales stick their heads above water to check their surroundings.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center whale watch boat trips have been a local tradition for 19 years with approximately 61% of trips resulting in sightings last season. Boats normally need travel only a few hundred yards up to a few short miles off the beach to find whales. The boats are large and comfortable with heated cabins, snack bars, restrooms, full safety gear, and an experienced U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain. Observers may go on deck or remain within the cabin area for viewing and will be able to see and touch actual whale bones and baleen. Each trip carries an Aquarium educator and volunteer who have been trained as interpreters. Come prepared to take pictures to preserve this memorable experience.
Now that we have shared our winter secret, why not plan that special value-added family vacation to break the grip of winter. Our ocean-tempered winters are a great time to enjoy all Virginia Beach has to offer. Crowds are down while hotels offer low off-season rates and special whale watching packages. With mall and boutique shopping, museums, quality restaurants, a fabulous new Town Center, and of course the gentle giants of the sea, a Virginia Beach winter retreat truly has something for every family member.
The whales already have their Virginia Beach reservations……………do you???
Boat trips run through March 14, 2010.
Reservations are highly recommended.
Call (757) 385-FISH or click here .
** Excerpted from True Tales of the Tide: An Angler’s Lifelong Quest. To read more about local whale adventures and Virginia Beach fishing, check out this recently released book by this blogger at http://dorrance.stores.yahoo.net/trtaoftianli.html.
