Whale study week in Newfoundland
| country: | Canada |
| location: | Newfoundland |
| departures: | 2008: 20 Jul |
| price: | From CA $2600 + 14% tax (7 days) excluding flights based on 2 sharing. From CA $2950 + 14% tax for single travellers |
the amazing things you'll be doing
Our Whale Study Week is a great opportunity to participate in actual whale research. Or whale lovers can simply enjoy being in the company of these majestic animals as they travel and sometimes play in their northern feeding grounds. For groups with a special interest in marine mammal biology, we provide special evening presentations on marine mammal entrapment research, whale biology, dolphin intelligence, whale distribution, and general marine ecology.
Our company president Dave Snow has taught marine mammal biology in Canada and the United States and has been involved with field studies with some of the world's best known whale researchers. You do not need to be an expert to enjoy this holiday; the program is suitable for any nature enthusiast who wants to enjoy the company of whales. Although we do try to collect useful scientific information, the holiday is simply a wonderful experience for anybody interested in fun, photography, or a unique adventure.
Our company president Dave Snow has taught marine mammal biology in Canada and the United States and has been involved with field studies with some of the world's best known whale researchers. You do not need to be an expert to enjoy this holiday; the program is suitable for any nature enthusiast who wants to enjoy the company of whales. Although we do try to collect useful scientific information, the holiday is simply a wonderful experience for anybody interested in fun, photography, or a unique adventure.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive, airport pick up and short orientation tour. You are free to explore the new world's first city from your downtown St. John's hotel. An informal evening presentation on whale biology and ecology is provided. |
| Day 2: | The second day features an introduction to the ocean and the whales during a 2.5 hour trip on the Atlantic Whaler. We also view puffins and hundreds of thousands of other seabirds. We review the marine ecology of the North Atlantic (get our sea legs) and prepare for our onboard assistance to local whale census and acoustic research. We also travel to the eastern edge of the continent to do more whale watching. |
| Day 3: | We spend six hours on board our coast guard certified vessel looking at whales. Humpbacks and minkes are the most common whale species but dolphins and fin whales are also occasionally seen. In fact, 20 varieties of whales are reported from Newfoundland waters so you can expect an occasional surprise. We will focus on tail fluke photography, individual whale recognition, behavioral observations, feeding ecology and just enjoying the sights. We have also been involved with hydrophone development research and may try to listen in on humpback feeding sounds together with any vocalizations associated with their other behaviours. |
| Day 4: | Today we go whale watching from the land as we try to take in some of the range of the world's largest population of humpbacks. A caribou herd, moose habitat, a humpback-feeding beach and seals usually add to the day's sightings. Scenic photographers will enjoy the coastline and the lighthouses should they want to see more than just the whales. Bird lovers will enjoy the small seabird colonies near our whale study lookouts. This day is sometimes the holiday highlight as we enjoy up-close encounters with the humpbacks as they cruise their feeding beach. |
| Day 5: | Humpback tails are as distinctive as human faces or fingerprints; and we use this six hours on the water attempting to get scientifically useful tail shots that allow us to identify individual whales and mother calf pairs. This provides insight into their range and life history. You'll learn how we contribute to the worldwide study of both humpbacks and orcas. If the science doesn't excite you just sit back and enjoy the gentle antics of the whales and the other wildlife of the North Atlantic. |
| Day 6: | Today we further study the richness of the Atlantic as we journey to the continent's third largest and most spectacular gannet colony. Tens of thousands of other seabirds with their chicks add to the day as does some of the world's best land-based whale watching. We visit one of the planet's most impressive marine spectacles without using a boat. A farewell barbecue or a group supper is planned for our program's last evening. |
| Day 7: | Often guests leave on this Saturday while others take the time to explore St. John's on their own; or to go out for one last quick visit with the whales before an afternoon flight. Many of our repeat guests join us for a second Whale Study Week (yes, it really is that much fun!) or decide to try another of our tours. |
how this holiday makes a difference
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The planet's largest gathering of humpback whales off the Newfoundland and Labrador coast is also one of the least studied. We collect census information (tail photographs) and coordinate the collection of data from around the province and contribute this information to Allied Whale, the organization coordinating the global humpback census effort. We also contribute other useful whale data as appropriate to whale scientists around the world. Our developmental website is working to coordinate the collection of whale data off this rich part of the ocean since nobody else is doing it…and because whales are such an important indicator of ocean health.
All of our programs feature local hosts/leaders and all distribute non resident travellers to remote areas where they enjoy local services and hospitality ranging from boat tours to delicious homemade bread and local sub-arctic berry jams. A National Geographic survey of guest satisfaction looked at the ethic of sustainability and educational emphasis of these very enjoyable excursions, and resulted in National Geographic Adventure Magazine listing our company as one of the best Adventure Travel companies on earth. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |