A
whale watch trip can be one of the highlights of a vacation to Cape Cod. In fact, this area (the waters off Cape Cod and the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary) is considered one of the top whale watching sites in the world.
The most commonly viewed large whales are humpbacks -- distinguished by their large sizes (up to 45 feet in length), especially long flippers, bushy blows, and often showy behaviors, including breaching (leaping out of the water), flipper slaps and tail slaps. The humpbacks have learned a variety of techniques for capturing their prey. Some whales use bubble clouds (masses of bubbles) or bubble nets (a ring of bubbles) to surround and confuse the schools of fish they feast upon. With its mouth open, the whale rises to the surface through the ring or cloud, capturing masses of fish in its massive mouth.
Finbacks are another large whale -- second in size only to the blue whale. Reaching lengths of 75 feet or so, "finners" are the greyhounds of the ocean -- fast and sleek. These whales can sometimes be seen lunging for fish in short, 
sharp bursts of speed. Fin whales have a small dorsal fin well back on their bodies -- when they dive you get to see a lot of back (but the flukes are seldom raised).
Minkes are the smallest of the great whales that regularly visit Stellwagen Bank. They tend to be less demonstrative than humpbacks, although some can be seen diving for fish when prey is around. Minkes have distinctive white patches (sometimes called "bandages") on their flippers. In the world's oceans, these are the most common great whale, and these animals are hunted by commercial whalers in several nations.
Of course, one of the highlights of a whalewatch may be the opportunity to watch from the side of the boat as a group of dolphins ride the bow wake. As the vessel speeds along, animals will trade places as they parallel the boat's track. The species found here is the Atlantic white-sided dolphin, distinguished by its bands of white and yellow that run along each side of its body.
In addition to these more commonly seen species, visitors to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary have also seen harbor porpoises, pilot whales and northern right whales (the most endangered great whale on the planet). An occasional glimpse of a sei whale, blue whale or sperm whale can sometimes be had. Occasionally, a lone Beluga Whale will make several appearances in the sanctuary.
To find out more about sanctuary species and whale behaviors, visit the free Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Exhibit at 205 Commercial Street in Provincetown.
Whale Watching Companies:
Dolphin Fleet,
Provincetown, 800-826-9300
Hyannis Whale Watcher,
Hyannis, 888-942-5392
Seal Watching Tours
by Carol Dumas
for the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
MONOMOY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, OFF THE COAST OF CHATHAM -- We're looking at what appears to be 
a long line of rocks on the southwestern shore of South Monomoy Island. As our boat draws closer, the "rocks" seem to move. The boat captain cuts the engine to a purr, and we raise our binoculars up to view the scene on the beach. The "rocks" have morphed into gray seals -- hundreds of them!
Most visitors know about the whales in the waters off Cape Cod, and probably have been on, or know about, whale watches -- a boat cruise aboard a large boat, seating 50 or more people, which motors out to where whales are commonly seen.
Lesser known, but gaining in popularity, are seal cruises, where smaller boats take smaller groups to view these smaller, but no less impressive marine mammals which are common to the Cape's waters.
On Monomoy, which lies off the coast of Chatham, there are two kinds of seals frequently seen. The harbor seal is a winter visitor to the Cape, returning to Maine's colder coastal waters in April, well before the summer tourists arrive.
The gray seal, however, is a year-round resident. It's much larger than the harbor seal -- the females weigh about 600 pounds and the males can be nearly 1,000 pounds; thei
r length is from 6 to 7 feet. Seal watchers can easily spot the difference between the sexes, when females and males are side by side in the water. At birth the pups weigh about 30 pounds.
Other characteristics to look for are their large eyes and distinctive wide nostrils which give gray seals the nickname "horsehead" seals.
Like whales, the seals seem to have become accustomed to the curious human onlookers. Some swim closer to the seal cruise boat as we peer over the side into the water, and we are fascinated by their constant diving and underwater swimming. Moaning sounds come from the seals basking on the beach, so loud it's like a chorus. Gray seals have large teeth, designed for eating fish. They can remain underwater for up to 30 minutes.
Don't miss an opportunity to see these wonderful creatures while you are visiting the Cape. Dress warmly, regardless of the season and do take along your camera!
Seal Watching Companie
s:
Monomoy Island Excursions,
Harwichport, 508-430-7772
