Choosing The Perfect Travel Destination

Questions To Ask When You Sign Up For A Whale-Watching Tour

by Eli Lambert

Taking a whale-watching tour is one of the most breathtaking experiences you can have in your lifetime. Instead of watching dormant animals in the zoo, you'll have a front-row seat to these majestic ocean creatures enjoying their natural habit. Whether you're visiting the East Coast or West Coast, taking time for this unique experience should be on your to-do list. You'll likely encounter a number of businesses that provide whale-watching tours, so it's ideal to talk to a couple to find the one that suits you best. Here are some questions that you'll want to ask as you form your decision.

How Long Does It Usually Take To See The Whales?

While you have to realize that it's impossible to give you a 100 percent sure answer, the tour rep can give you a rough idea based on previous outings. This question is important to ask if you're traveling with children who may become bored with the boat ride and get fussy. For example, some tour boats need to travel for a considerable distance, based on their starting point, before the reach the area in which whales are expected to be seen. With kids, you might want to find a tour company that estimates the shortest travel time before reaching the whale area.

What Happens If We Don't See Whales?

Ideally, you'll see a handful of whales on your tour and leave feeling satisfied. However, it's important to remember that the tour company cannot fully guarantee that whales will be in the area at the time of your outing. The good news is that tour companies typically have a plan for such rare occurrences. For example, you might be able to redeem your ticket for a discounted ticket on an upcoming tour. Making sure you ask this question will make you confident about booking your tour.

How Rough Does The Water Tend To Be?

If you're the type of person who is concerned about motion sickness, you can take medication to prevent you from feeling queasy. However, it's also ideal to talk to a tour rep about how rough or smooth the water is on typical outings. Sometimes, you might be recommended to book a tour that departs earlier in the morning when the water is calmer. The tour rep can also give you some suggestions about monitoring the wind speed in the forecast to find a day that looks calm, and that will be more agreeable for you when you're out on the water.

For more information, contact Catamaran Kahanu or a similar company.

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