New Hampshire whale watch and pelagic bird watch cruise schedules and information

NH Whale Watch cruise participants may see puffins and other pelagic birds. Photo by Jorg Hempel, Licensed under CC 2.0

Taking a NH whale watch cruise out to Jeffreys Ledge or Stelwagen Bank is a New Hampshire summer tradition, but don't forget that NH whale watch cruises also present fantastic opportunities to see pelagic bird. Often these ocean-going birds will be found feeding on the same foods that attract the whales themselves. Often ship captains will be able to swing the boat by great pelagic bird locations if he knows there are birders aboard, so don’t be afraid to ask crew members about birds while you’re underway.
Among the birds that can be often be seen on a whale watching cruise from the New Hampshire coast are:

• Storm-petrels
• Puffins
• Shearwaters (several species)
• Cormorants
• Jaegers (several species)
• Northern gannets
• Terns (several species)
   

Just because you're a birdwatcher, though doesn't mean that you can't also enjoy watching the whales themselves. Although you won't see all of them on any one trip, the following whale and dolphin species are among those that can be seen in NH waters:

• Humpback Whales
• Finback Whales
• Minke Whales
• Right Whales
• Pilot Whales
• Atlantic White Sided Dolphins
• Harbor Porpoises

If you’re convinced that you need to get out on a whale watch for your next birding trip, here are a list of NH Whale Watch cruises and their 2009 schedules:

Granite State Whale Watch departs from Rye, NH

• June 20th to August 30th: twice daily at 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM
• August 31st to September 4th: once daily at 11:00 AM
• September 5th-13th: Saturday and Sunday at 8:30 AM and 2:00 PM and Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 AM
• September 14th to October 11th: Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM and Wednesday and Friday at 10:00 AM
• Reservations are available online or by calling 1-800-964-5545

Island Cruises departs from Rye Harbor, NH

• Many trips daily and charters available (Pelagic birds and Island tours - no whale watches)
• Full schedule here
• A review and full trip report of the Isles Tour aboard Island Cruises' Uncle Oscar
• Photo slide show taken from the Isles Tour

Atlantic Whale Watch's Atlantic Queen II departs from Rye, NH

• June 20th and September 7th: seven days a week at 1:30 PM
• September 8th and October 11th: Saturdays and Sundays only between.
• For reservations call: 1-800-WHALE-NH or (603) 964-5220.
• Review of my trip aboard the Atlantic Queen II on August 6th, 2009
• Picture slide show taken from the Atlantic Queen II whale watch

Eastman Docks Whale Watch & Deep Sea Fishing Tours depart from Seabrook Beach, NH

• July- Labor Day: 1:30 PM
• For reservations call 603 474-3461

New Hampshire Seacoast Cruises, departs Rye, NH

• Schedule not available, call (603) 964-5545 for more information

Al Gauron Deep Sea Fishing, Whale Watching and More, departs Hampton Beach, NH

• Daily in July and August at 1:30 PM
• Call (800) 905-7820 or (603) 926-2469 for reservations or more information

Make your NH whale watch plans today. Be sure to bring your binoculars, digital camera, and plenty of sunscreen. Meanwhile enjoy this NH whale watching home movie!

This video was taken from aboard the Atlantic Whale Watch vessel Atlantic Queen II on August 6th, 2009: