Seeing Marine Creatures in the Wild

[RatioTile]

I'd like to know the easiest places in the world to see the following species that cannot be kept in captivity:

1) Any and all baleen whales
2) Sperm whales
3) Great white, mako, and porbeagle sharks
4) Leatherback sea turtle

Have any ZooChatters had any luck on whale watching and shark cage tours? Thanks.

 

[Batto]

I think your question would be better off in the Off Topic / Wildlife section of this forum.

 

[pangolin12]

I'd like to know the easiest places in the world to see the following species that cannot be kept in captivity:

1) Any and all baleen whales
2) Sperm whales
3) Great white, mako, and porbeagle sharks
4) Leatherback sea turtle

Have any ZooChatters had any luck on whale watching and shark cage tours? Thanks.

I believe long beach, California is a hotspot for the baleen whales.
And I’m not sure but I also think that the Isle of Man is good for the sea turtles...
South Africa is meant to be really good for great white sharks.

 

[Ned]

Sperm whales are easy to see off the Azores and are viewable all year. At certain times other whales pass through on migration.

 

[MRJ]

Monterey California is a great place for whales.
Southern Sri Lanka is the best place in the world for blue whales.
Great whites can be seen from cages in South Africa and in South Australia.

Google is your friend to find a wealth of other locations.

 

[Great Argus]

I'd like to know the easiest places in the world to see the following species that cannot be kept in captivity:

1) Any and all baleen whales
2) Sperm whales
3) Great white, mako, and porbeagle sharks
4) Leatherback sea turtle

Have any ZooChatters had any luck on whale watching and shark cage tours? Thanks.

Far as baleen whales, I've seen Humpback, Fin, and Minke off Northeast Canadian tours. (Also a few different toothed whales) Also seen Grays from shore along the California coast. As MRJ added, Monterey California is a good spot for whales. They get a variety and many tours go out routinely.

Great Whites and Leatherbacks are occasionally seen on whale watching tours in Monterey as well, but they're not reliable.

Tagging someone who has seen a large number of whales, hope he doesn't mind. @Giant Eland

 

[gentle lemur]

I have had no luck seeing minke whales on 2 trips off the west coast of Scotland, although they are seen there quite frequently. Next year I am hoping to go on one of Bay of Biscay trips organised by Orca (ORCA - Looking out for Whales and Dolphins).

 

[Giant Eland]

Tagging someone who has seen a large number of whales, hope he doesn't mind. @Giant Eland

Sure thing @Great Argus- don't mind at all!

I'd like to know the easiest places in the world to see the following species that cannot be kept in captivity:

1) Any and all baleen whales
2) Sperm whales
3) Great white, mako, and porbeagle sharks
4) Leatherback sea turtle

Have any ZooChatters had any luck on whale watching and shark cage tours? Thanks.

Okay here goes:

1.) I've been lucky enough to see 7 species of baleen whales so far (6 in the wild, and 1 juvenile gray whale at San Diego Sea World- although I doubt gray whales are very hard to find on the pacific coast if you try)

Blue Whale: seen on back to back whale watches in Long Beach California in August 2011.

Fin Whale: seen out of both Portland, ME and St. Andrews, NB in the fall

Bryde's Whale: seen this past month from the shore of Simon's Town, South Africa. A very exciting find, considering there were no whale watches available the days I was in the area. I had also tried a whale watch in Plettenberg Bay, South Africa as was recommended on mammalwatching.com, but I had no luck. Also if you're in South Africa the app "Seafari" is updated decently often with sightings of mostly cetaceans and the occasional exceptional non-cetacean.

Southern Right Whale: also seen this past month on a whale watch out of Hermanus, South Africa. Mother and calf, two of the final remaining residents that hadn't yet migrated.

Humpback Whale: most commonly seen whale on whale watches for me. Best sighting was a large group in Cape Cod, MA in the summertime.

Common Minke Whale: seen in both Cape Cod, MA and Boothbay Harbor, ME in the summer and fall.

I'm also keen on visiting Cape Cod in April/May which I've heard is the best time/place to try and see the rare Northern Right Whale.

2.) As for Sperm whales, one of the best places to see them is Kaikoura, South Island, New Zealand (where I saw them) a coastal town which is situated near very deep waters.

3.) Haven't seen any of these.

4.) Only have seen a rescued Leatherback sea turtle in Acuario Rodedero, Colombia.