Northern whale study tour, Newfoundland
| country: | Canada |
| location: | Newfoundland |
| departures: | 2008: 31 Aug |
| price: | From CA $4690 (10 days) excluding flights, based on 2 people sharing (or CA $5600 + 14% tax single) |
the amazing things you'll be doing
The first and only Orca census vacation on the Atlantic coast of North America.
Join our naturalist on a quest to study and catalogue the humpbacks and orcas of northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador.
The area is incredibly rich with wildlife but is one of North America's least studied marine areas. Enjoy comfortable nights, wild days, and some of our planet's most dramatic landscapes as we count humpbacks and pioneer the study of eastern North America's orcas.
Join our naturalist on a quest to study and catalogue the humpbacks and orcas of northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador.
The area is incredibly rich with wildlife but is one of North America's least studied marine areas. Enjoy comfortable nights, wild days, and some of our planet's most dramatic landscapes as we count humpbacks and pioneer the study of eastern North America's orcas.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Deer Lake, Newfoundland (YDF). Overview of expedition. (D) |
| Day 2: | Travel to L'Anse au Clair, Labrador with a stop at Port aux Choix, Newfoundland to look at ancient orca carvings. The ferry to Labrador is famous for pelagic seabird watching. Whales and seals are also frequent highlights on this 90-minute crossing. (B,L,D) |
| Day 3: | If time allows, we visit the 1540s World Whaling Capital, Red Bay, where we learn the story of the bowhead and right whales who once called these productive waters home. Travel through old growth Labrador forest along the new Labrador Highway to Mary's Harbour where we meet the Battle Harbour ferry. Watch for the black bears and other wildlife along the route and around Mary's Harbour. Overnight in the beautifully restored, historic premises of Battle Harbour. From here Peary declared, "The Pole is ours." Today the area has been restored to the glory it enjoyed when it was the Capital of Labrador. We use generators for electricity and enjoy comfortable rooms and the local food. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4-6: | Coastal boat trips searching for humpbacks, orcas, and other whales. We will attempt to gather some of the region's first humpback tail photographs. Our hope is that we can also attempt orca dorsal fin photography and use hydrophones to listen in on the underwater vocalizations of orcas and dolphins. We have a small catalogue of orcas we recognize and we will be attempting to broaden our knowledge of these individuals and their biology. The region's dramatic coast and recently abandoned fishing communities contribute a poignant and unforgettable human adventure to the expedition experience. We enjoy the coast's whales, abundant seabirds, and seals by day while soaking up the historic atmosphere of Battle Harbour by night. Our time here is always an expedition highlight. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7: | Our gentle adventure departs Labrador for the St. Anthony, Newfoundland area and our local hotels. The ferry trip between mainland Labrador and the Island of Newfoundland provides prime whale and seabird watching opportunities for us again. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8: | Depending on the sea conditions and local reports, we will explore the dolphin and humpback rich areas around St. Anthony and the Grey Islands on local tour boats. Every season several recognizable orcas show up, including individuals we know from the Battle Harbour region. This is our last day for photographing humpback tails and orca dorsal fins. We also explore the ancient Norse history of this scenic region....and learn about the relationships the Norse and the first peoples had with the region's whales. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9: | The last day of our expedition will likely see more moose and caribou than whales as we leave northern Newfoundland for the charming Glynmill Inn in Corner Brook. Here we enjoy a sumptuous farewell supper. (B,L,D) |
| Day 10: | Depart from Deer Lake airport. Bon Voyage! (B) |
how this holiday makes a difference
 This programme collects humpback whale data but it is also timed to coincide with what we believe to be the best orca watching on the Atlantic coast of North America. We created and are expanding our database of western Atlantic orca families; and we use the data we have collected to increase the likelihood of orca encounters. This expedition program also brings the principals of ecotourism, sustainability, and the non consumptive value of animals into areas where many residents participate in traditional (illegal) hunts for small dolphins. We have worked since 1984 at giving value to the non consumptive uses of wildlife in parts of Newfoundland and Labrador where most folks follow a very consumptive lifestyle. We receive very friendly welcomes from our fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and we work to gently introduce the joys of activities like whale watching, bird watching, and nature appreciation to our local service providers 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. The data collected on previous Northern Whale Studies enabled study tour leader Dave Snow to co-author Canada's status report document on the population of orcas in eastern Canada. Dave and some of the guests have also been able to contribute photographs and observations to books and magazine articles on these orcas. 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 lead 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. |