4 Things You Need To Bring With You On A Whale Watching Trip

If you've got a whale watching trip planned for the near future, you're in for a phenomenal experience. Whales are majestic creatures, and you'll make memories that will last a lifetime as well as bring back incredible photographs to share with your friends and family. You probably already know you need to bring your best camera — after all, you'll need something beyond the camera function on your smartphone to get the best possible photographs of your whale watching adventure. But you may be unaware of other items that can help optimize your experience. Consider packing the following to get the most from your experience: 

Multiple Sun Protection Items

You'll need more than a bit of sunscreen to slap on the tip of your nose when you're out on the open ocean. You'll need a sturdy sunhat with strings that allow you to tie it around your neck — otherwise, it's likely that you'll lose it to the wind. The wind is almost always blowing on the ocean, and it doesn't take much more than a gentle breeze to carry away a hat that's not secured. Anti-glare sunglasses with UV protection are also recommended. Keep in mind that the glare on the open ocean can be visually overwhelming at times, and you'll have a better chance of getting a good look at the whales if you're wearing anti-glare glasses. 

A Plastic Water Bottle

Most whale watching tour operators don't allow passengers to bring glass receptacles on board. The reason may not seem obvious at first, but if a mishap occurs while the vessel is on the open ocean or if the vessel encounters significantly rough waters, glass objects may break and pose a substantial safety hazard. Bring along a plastic water container with a secure lid instead. 

Your Own Binoculars 

Although loaner binoculars are available on most whale watching group tours, there may not be enough for everyone. Many passengers prefer to bring their own so they aren't left straining to see whales jumping and breaching because they don't have a pair of binoculars. 

A Windbreaker

As mentioned previously, it's almost always windy on the ocean. Even if it's warm and sunny on the day of your excursion, take along a windbreaker. Not only can the weather change quickly on the ocean, but it's also usually several degrees cooler than on land. 

Your whale watching tour operator will be able to provide you with more suggestions on how to get the best possible experience from your excursion. 


Share