About Our New Whale Watches and New Location
We have received numerous emails and calls from customers who are confused about our new location and our new whale watching tours. Many things have changed from last year and we wanted to clear a few things up here so there’s no more confusion.
People want to know if we are still operating 200-person+ whale watches from Fisherman’s Wharf, and the answer is no. This year we wanted to focus on a more personalized, private, and special experience. Most whale watching tours take 200-300 people out at a time, and this often means overcrowded cabins, difficulty seeing whales, and impersonal service. We simply can’t deliver the level of service we want when there are over 200 people on board, and thus have decided to offer only private whale watches this year.
Also please note that we are no longer operating from our previous location on Fisherman’s Wharf. The company that is there now is NOT Alpha Whale Watch and is NOT affiliated with us in any way – don’t be misled! Our whale watches now depart from MacMillan Wharf in Provincetown – NOT Fisherman’s Wharf!
Hope that helps to clear up some confusion. If you have any other questions, feel free to send us an email or call 402-850-1495. We’ll also be adding a frequently asked questions page here soon!
Filed Under: Alpha Whale Watch / Tags: Alpha Whale Watch, Private Whale Watching, Provincetown Whale Watch, Questions, Summer 2009
Private Whale Watching Tours for Summer 2009
Alpha Whale Watch is providing a unique whale watching experience this year for those who truly want the best.
Feel the adrenaline rush of cruising the beautiful blue waters off Cape Cod and seeing whales and dolphins up-close on your own private boat. Whether you are looking for a private, personalized family adventure, a romantic excursion, or just a chance to take incredible whale photos up-close, we provide the ultimate in whale watching.
Here are the basics of what we are offering this summer:
- A private, personalized whale watching experience. With a six person maximum as opposed to the 300 passenger circus crowds of typical whale watching excursions, our whale watching tours cater to you and your needs.
- Choose your own time. The best whale showings are usually at sunrise, but we will accommodate any schedule.
- The best and most experienced captains. With 30 years experience, we know where the whales are and always guarantee a breathtaking show!
- Anything else you may need for the best possible experience. We cater to whatever you want to do, whether it’s a romantic excursion for two or a fun day of family whale watching, your needs will be taken care of.
For more information or to book a private whale watch, call us at 508-221-5920 or use our Online Contact Form.
Filed Under: Alpha Whale Watch / Tags: Alpha Whale Watch, Captain, experience, News, Private Whale Watching, Provincetown
Right Whale Population Increase?
A North Atlantic Right Whale mother and calf
Right whales are one of our favorite types of whales that we see on a whale watch. Sadly, these beautiful creatures are endangered, with only about 400 North Atlantic Right Whales in existence.
However, a recent LA times blog article indicates that the North Atlantic Right Whale population may be slightly on the rise. The article states:
“Marine biologists are cautiously optimistic that the North Atlantic right whale population has increased for the second consecutive season. Aerial and on-the-water surveys sighted almost 200 of the endangered mammals, including 39 mothers with calves. This is an increase from the 150 noted during last year’s survey.”
While this research is not 100% conclusive, any sign that the right whale population could be increasing is a good sign to us.
Right whales were once considered by whalers to be “the right whales to hunt”, and that is how they got their name. With a high percentage of blubber and baleen, the Right Whale was a very desirable catch. Sadly, whalers hunted the Right Whale almost to extinction, and are largely to blame for the low numbers of the species that exist today.
For more information on North Atlantic Right Whales, visit our friends at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. The Center for Coastal Studies spends hundreds of hours in the field each year studying right whales, and they also work with disentanglement teams to rescue whales in need.
Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission / NOAA
Filed Under: Whales / Tags: Endangered Species, North Atlantic Right Whales, Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, Right Whales
10 Fun Whale Facts
Humpback whale photo by Michael Dawes.
If you want to learn more about whales, you’ve come to the right place. Here are some facts about whales that you might not have known! Did you know that…
- The Blue Whale is the largest known mammal that has ever lived, with a length of up to 105ft long and weight of 150 tons. That’s the weight equivalent of 150 small cars!
- Whales are mammals, which means they need to come up for air, unlike fish which can breathe underwater.
- Male whales are called bulls, and females are called cows. Their young are called calves.
- Most of the whales we see on our whale watches don’t have teeth! Instead, they have baleen, plates that filter out small fish from water. They then swallow their food whole.
- Baleen whales include humpback whales, right whales, blue whales, and fin whales. These are whales without teeth.
- Female baleen whales are larger than males.
- Humpback whales are easy to tell apart by the markings on the underside of their tail fins. Each one has a unique pattern on his or her tail.
- Humpback whales only eat in summer, feeding off their fat reserves during the winter.
- Orcas, also known as Killer Whales, are some of the top predators in the marine world. They feed mostly on fish, but some hunt seals, sea lions, and walruses.
- Some cultures see whales as divine beings, such as in some places in Ghana and the Vietnamese, who occasionally hold funerals for beached whales.
- Pilot Whales and Killer Whales may have the word “whale” in their name, but for classification purposes, they are actually considered dolphins.
To learn more fun facts about whales, subscribe to our blog or just come out for a whale watch with us in Provincetown. And if you have any whale questions, leave a comment and we’ll be happy to answer!
Filed Under: Whales / Tags: Facts, Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Pilot Whales, Whales
Provincetown Whale Watch Update
The whale watch season is still far off, but we are planning away. It is very inspiring to read the reviews of the past season!
We know we are very different from the “corporate” competition, but as someone who for years captained for the Dolphin Fleet and the Portuguese Princess, I realize that people on their first whale watch for the most part will love it no matter which boat they go on.
That’s the problem we at Alpha Whale Watch face. It is difficult to tell people how much more enjoyable a time they would have going with us instead of the over crowded classroom type lecture boats. We are a very smart, very relaxed, unstressed bunch at Alpha, and we are planning on staying that way. I would be very surprised at anyone not being totally at ease and comfy on our boat. Almost every critic of whale watches has given us a 5 star rating, but they do have to get on board before they understand the difference!
But, we’re always looking to improve. Lets see what we come up with this year – we’ll keep you informed.
- Captain Bones (By the way, my picture was on the cover of the local newspaper for jumping in the water on new years day.)
Filed Under: Alpha Whale Watch / Tags: Alpha Whale Watch, Captain, Ratings, Reviews