Yes, whales and more!
If you have never seen whales in their natural habitat, add that to your bucket list today!
Off Grand Manan, you have an opportunity to observe not only right whales but also other baleen whales, including fin, humpback and minke. Harbour porpoise, white-sided and white-beaked dolphins, harbour and grey seals, and even the occasional mud and porbeagle shark might join the Bay of Fundy-loving group.
The mouth of the Bay of Fundy, the location of the Island, has an incredibly rich and diverse eco-system, boasting plentiful zooplankton and varied seaweed. Herring is also available as part of a veritable feast for a variety of marine species.
Between 40-50 North Atlantic right whales make their way to the Bay of Fundy each summer, to feed, mate and play. Given their current worldwide population is approximately 350, Grand Manan is fortunate indeed to welcome such a significant number of them off its shores. Both North Atlantic and North Pacific right whales are at present among the most critically endangered species in the world.
You will never forget….
We had modest expectations when we embarked on our first whale-watching adventure off Grand Manan. How close would they come to the boat? How large are they? Will we see more than one?
Without exaggeration, we can confidently say this was a life-altering experience for us. Our memories are still vivid - of the entire day from start to finish - of the foggy journey into the Bay filled with wonder and excitement, of the sun peeking through the clouds, the silence once the engine was turned off, the first sighting and of our child-like awe at the magnificence of these creatures.
Opportunities to watch whales and pelagic birds off Grand Manan abound - take advantage! If you are at all interested, time your visit to coincide with the whales’ annual journey to the Bay of Fundy.
