As far as we know, there are two major whale watching tour companies: Whales-n-sails Adventures and Sea Watch Tours on the island. You can also go sea kayaking with Adventure High, explore the outer islands with Fish Tail Boat Tours, and according to the GMTA web site, you can always ask individual boat owners at fishermen's wharves the length of the island if there is a specific place to want to go to or to see from the ocean. See the bottom of the page for contact info.
We hope, over time, to get to experience all the opportunities for getting out into the Bay of Fundy open to visitors to the island, and feature them here. So far, we have taken the Whales-n-Sails tour.
Whales-n-Sails Adventures
Whales-n-Sails provided an unforgettable experience. It was my first time on a sail boat, and thanks to the fact we had enough wind the day we went out, it was an inspiring few hours in wind and waves.
And did we see whales! Huge Right Whales, the more sleek Finback and Humpback Whales, and the smaller Minke - along with seals, porpoises and sea birds a-plenty. A calf suckling its mother clear as day, three Right whales along side the boat, blowing in sequence, whales breaching ... the list is endless. And we learned an enormous amount from both Laurie and Alan, who patiently answered everyone's questions.
I can't say much about my ability to photograph the sea part of the experience ... I was part of the large group who went "oooo" when the whales leapt out of the water, and was part of the "click,click,click"group, capturing the event somewhat after the whales submerged again. I'll be better prepared next time! Their web site has many photographs to see and videos to watch and Allan has provided Mananook the images below.
This was WAY better than the Nature Channel. Our first time out on the Elsie Menota, but certainly not our last.
Sea Kayaking Adventure Tours with experienced guides exploring the coastline of Grand Manan. No experience required: they will teach you the basic strokes and make sure you enjoy a safe comfortable trip.
83 Route 776, North Head, Grand Manan, N.B. Canada E5G 1A2 Tel: (506) 662-3563 Toll Free: 1-800-732-5492 Email: explore@adventurehigh.com Web:www.adventurehigh.com
Fish Tail Boat Tours
Wayne Sturgeon
Boat tours of outer islands with descriptions of settlement, aquaculture, lobster fishing; landing on an outer island with lunch provided. Leave from North Head Fishermens Wharf.
Your third generation, outdoor adventure specialists
1919 Route 776, Grand Manan, NB Canada, E5G 3H1 Tel: (506) 467-1171 Email: ava@nb.sympatico.ca
Sea Watch Tours.
Peter & Kenda Wilcox
Machias Seal Island - Puffins, Pelagic Bird Watching, Whale Watching
Style of boat used by island fishermen with more shallow draft - gets closer to islands and other features in the waters close to Grand Manan and the Outer Islands.
The Mananook website is produced by two newcomers to the Island. It provides a personal, and as yet, incomplete exploration of our new home. Check out the official Grand Manan Tourism Association website for more complete information. Credits
