which month - Nfld whales / icebergs?
Apr 1st, 2004, 07:40 AM
#1
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which month - Nfld whales / icebergs?
Is any particular month best for seeing icebergs / whales? And any preference which town/coastal area is best?
We will of course go on a boat tour probably at St Anthony's (?)
--- but wondering just "generally" for seeing as we drive which season/month is best... especially for icebergs.
Thanks
We will of course go on a boat tour probably at St Anthony's (?)
--- but wondering just "generally" for seeing as we drive which season/month is best... especially for icebergs.
Thanks
Apr 1st, 2004, 08:16 AM
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St. Anthony area is usually good for icebergs much later in the season than the rest of Nfld. Certainly July is generally good up there- maybe even later.
Most people look for humpback whales since they are the most acrobatic and exciting whales to watch. They migrate from the south each spring and are usually in-shore at places like Witless Bay [Bay Bulls] by early July. Timing is much the same for the rest of the East Coast of the Island. Trinity Bay can be very good for whale watching as can be Notre Dame Bay from Twillingate and area.
One advantage in Newfoundland is that there are many places where you have a decent chance of seeing whales from shore. Even Signal Hill in St. John's can be good. You should definitely go on a boat tour though. I can suggest some tour operators if you wish.
I have seen icebergs in the St. John's area in early July but June is generally better. They are more likely to linger in the Twillingate area, where there are several iceberg tour boats. We've had excellent luck there right from shore in mid to late July.
The number of ice bergs does vary considerably from year to year. I have not seen the predictions for this season as yet.
For both bergs and whales I would suggest the early part of July, although some years whales are much better a bit later.
Let me know if you have more questions.
cheers
Jerry
Most people look for humpback whales since they are the most acrobatic and exciting whales to watch. They migrate from the south each spring and are usually in-shore at places like Witless Bay [Bay Bulls] by early July. Timing is much the same for the rest of the East Coast of the Island. Trinity Bay can be very good for whale watching as can be Notre Dame Bay from Twillingate and area.
One advantage in Newfoundland is that there are many places where you have a decent chance of seeing whales from shore. Even Signal Hill in St. John's can be good. You should definitely go on a boat tour though. I can suggest some tour operators if you wish.
I have seen icebergs in the St. John's area in early July but June is generally better. They are more likely to linger in the Twillingate area, where there are several iceberg tour boats. We've had excellent luck there right from shore in mid to late July.
The number of ice bergs does vary considerably from year to year. I have not seen the predictions for this season as yet.
For both bergs and whales I would suggest the early part of July, although some years whales are much better a bit later.
Let me know if you have more questions.
cheers
Jerry
Apr 1st, 2004, 09:24 AM
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My husband and I saw whales and iceburgs in early August in a boat trip out of St. Anthony. We had to travel pretty far out to see a large iceburg because it was so late in the season, and there weren't many left. The upside was that we got a longer trip.
The iceburg was spectacular, and we saw many whales enroute. At the iceburg, the crew netted a broke-off chunk, and broke off pieces for people to try. The crew was excellent, and offered commentary enroute. All in all, a wonderful time.
We also saw a smaller iceburg from shore in St. Anthony, but it wasn't nearly the same experience as taking the boat out.
The iceburg was spectacular, and we saw many whales enroute. At the iceburg, the crew netted a broke-off chunk, and broke off pieces for people to try. The crew was excellent, and offered commentary enroute. All in all, a wonderful time.
We also saw a smaller iceburg from shore in St. Anthony, but it wasn't nearly the same experience as taking the boat out.
Apr 1st, 2004, 12:35 PM
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Thanks - sounds good. I had been thinking last week of June / first week of July so that works out perfect.
Did you hear the news that the government is deciding who owns the icebergs -- greenland or canada. apparently, they can be worth $$millions since they are freshwater & people are trying various ways to redirect them to Spain/Portugal & E.U. countries that are in drought. I can just imagine the curfluffle if they do decide icebergs can be "sold". Next thing will be people breaking off chunks "on purpose" to create an iceberg & claim it!!
Did you hear the news that the government is deciding who owns the icebergs -- greenland or canada. apparently, they can be worth $$millions since they are freshwater & people are trying various ways to redirect them to Spain/Portugal & E.U. countries that are in drought. I can just imagine the curfluffle if they do decide icebergs can be "sold". Next thing will be people breaking off chunks "on purpose" to create an iceberg & claim it!!
