Whale Watching Early June

My family (2 adults 2 teens) will be in the area beginning of June. Is this a good time to see whales? Wondering about whale watching tours? Is there a good chance to really see whales on these tours? Do you have to travel far out to sea to see them? I heard sea sickness is a real problem for most people.

We will also be heading up the Maine coast. Is there a better place to go whale watching in Maine?

Please any advise would be appreciated. Thanks!

Whale Watching Early June

They take you a ways out to see the whales. Boston is a great starting-spot, but by no means the only one. Most of the time, you%26#39;ll see whales. Sometimes they%26#39;re closer to the boat than others.

If anyone is prone to seasickness, it%26#39;s good to take something before leaving port. Some people use those bracelet things but I typically take dramamine, especially if it%26#39;s choppy. Always bring a sweater/windbreaker, even if it%26#39;s warm on land. Leaving the Harbor, you can feel the temperature drop.

If you don%26#39;t like the idea of such a long ride, you can take any of a number of harbor cruises. The trip to George%26#39;s Island is maybe a half hour and it leaves you on a neat island with walking trails and the remains of a Civil-War era fort. Fun to explore.

Whale Watching Early June

Definitely go!

All the whale watching excursions (from Boston, Gloucester, Plymouth, Provincetown and Ogunquit, Maine) go to the same place--Stellwagen Bank, an extensive shallower spot where the sand eels (favorite food) are. Some of the factors involved are water temperature (warmer later in the summer) and food supply. I have heard that the sand eels are abundant this year.

Usually it takes about an hour to get out to the part of Stellwagen nearest your port. Normally the water is not very rough, so seasicknesss is not a big problem. Stay at the back of the boat and take medication if you have a known problem. If it is a very windy day on shore, you might want to reconsider--or at least ask the staff.

All the tours guarantee sightings or you get another cruise free, but a sighting can be anything from a sliver of a whale%26#39;s back half mile away for a minute to two juveniles frolicking under the bow of the boat the whole time. I%26#39;ve been on both. But the boats are enjoined from going too close; the whales must approach the boat. Most of the time you will see whales on the side of the boat at reasonable picture taking distance, though, and enough of them to make it worthwile.

My preferred company is Yankee Fleet in Gloucester.

It%26#39;s a GREAT time of year to see whales. Generally speaking mid-May to end of June is great. As the water warms up, many whales migrate to cooler spots. Whales were visible from the Provincetown (Race Point Vistors%26#39; Center) this past weekend.

Thanks for the information. Hopefully the weather will be nice when we are in town.

Thanks to all.