On Mother’s Day morning, under uncertain skies and amidst cancellations from other fishing boats and tour companies, we at Jersey Shore Whale Watch made a bold decision to proceed with our voyage. Many of our guests had traveled great distances—from places as far-flung as Rochester, Binghamton, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and upstate New York. Their anticipation and excitement fueled our commitment to venture out despite the weather.

As we set sail at 12:30 PM, a light drizzle was falling, but by the time we reached the open waters, the drizzle had ceased. Although the ocean presented a choppy welcome for about 20 minutes, it soon calmed, and within moments of the sea settling, we were graced with the presence of an active juvenile humpback whale just off the coast of New Jersey.

For approximately 45 minutes, our guests were treated to a magnificent display: the whale demonstrated its lunge feeding, tail slapping, and fin slapping—truly a remarkable performance that captivated everyone on board.

During the trip, we also encountered three different pods of dolphins, which provided additional delight and photo opportunities for our 45 guests.

At Jersey Shore Whale Watch, we are just kicking off our season, which runs from now until the end of November. While June through September marks the peak of Whale Watching, the early and late months also offer spectacular sightings, sometimes just minutes after departing the inlet.

-Bill and the crew at Jersey Shore Whale Watch.

This post was adapted from a blog, read the original here.