WHALE WATCHING

Cruise the waters off Grand Turk looking for whales, especially humpbacks that annually migrate there to give birth and mate. It won’t take long to reach an excellent viewing area and while there is no guarantee that you will see whales, the chances are good. It can be quite the show if a humpback surfaces as these massive creatures weigh up to 40 tons and reach a length of more than 60 feet. They breach the water numerous ways, sometimes hurling their bodies above the surface and other times slapping the surface with only their chins or tail flukes. Male humpback whales are known for their “songs,” a complex sequence of moans, chirps and other noises. The boat is equipped with a hydrophone so you can hear these unusual sounds. Scientists are still trying to decipher their exact meanings, but it is thought that the whales are communicating to attract mates.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise off Grand Turk in a boat specially designed for whale watching.
• Look for humpback whales surfacing, sometimes quite close to the boat.
• Learn about whale behavior from the on-board naturalist.
• Listen to the whales’ underwater communication on the boat’s hydrophone.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.