Hungry Humpbacks!

There has been a lot of feed in the waters around Brier Island and some of our tours have included watching humpbacks lunge feeding.

Pictures from June 22 and 23... see below...

2011 Season Begins

A new season has started at Mariner Cruises Whale & Seabird Tours! Last year the tours took place until October, with wonderful whale and bird sightings on most days. Later in 2010 a deceased juvenile humpback whale washed ashore at Western Light, Brier Island. The first cruise of this season got underway on June 21st and what a day it was! Sunshine, calm waters and ten to twelve humpbacks all in the vicinity of the boat, with a couple swimming right over as if to say hello. There was herring in the area and guests got to see the feeding action of the baleen whales as they lunged and splashed in the midst of the schooling fish. A variety of seabirds, some porpoises and some seals added to the day's sightings. It's great to be back out on the bay!

Mid-Summer Update

Whale watching has been great this summer, with many humpbacks around Brier Island. Minke and fin whales have been seen as well, and yesterday three right whales. This was the first day seeing right whales since early July. The humpbacks are vey active and friendly, often swimming close to the boat and playfully flipper slapping, spyhopping and sometimes breaching. Flash and her calf are regularly seen and Lace and Foggy are also here with calves.

Hungry Humpbacks!

The waters around Brier Island have been rich in feed and on a couple of recent cruises the herring and krill were so thick that the water seemed to almost be bubbling as the schools swam just below the surface. Birds and whales feasted on this ocean buffet, and the humpbacks were lunge feeding near the boat!

OCEAN SUNFISH (MOLA MOLA)

Late afternoon on July 12th this ocean sunfish was a visitor to the harbour, hanging around only a few feet from shore inside the floating dock area at Westport Fishermens' wharf. It is uncommon to see sunfish in the Bay of Fundy, and even more rare to see one so close to shore. They are found all over the globe, mostly in tropical and temperate waters. This fish was about 6 feet in length and very friendly... a few locals and tourists waded out into the water and observed it

up close! After the fish kept swimming in much too close to the beach, a local man escorted it out into the harbour, where it drifted out to sea with the Fundy tide.

Humpbacks are Here!

Humpbacks are now closer to Brier Island and there has been a lot of feed in the bay, namely krill and herring. Our cruises have watched the humpbacks lunge feeding and on the July 5th tour one whale treated us to a close visit as he swam right over beside the boat. He then spyhopped (poked head out of water), rolled around and played, much to the delight of everyone on board.