Essential Items for Whale Watching

Going out on a whale watching cruise, seeing whales at play in their natural habitat, namely the ocean, requires planning of what to take along for your trip. Firstly, if you are a person prone to seasickness, make sure that you have pills with you to combat any queasiness. You do not want to spoil your outing on the sea, or that of others with you, who do not suffer the same way.

Basics not to be forgotten

• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen, essential both in winter and summer
• Camera plus extra batteries
• Binoculars
• Plastic water bottle
• Snacks for nibbling or prepacked lunch if none aboard

It is always a good idea wearing flat shoes on board a boat; preferably sneakers or tennis shoes with rubber soles. Decks often become slippery, the sea may become choppy, and the rubber gives you grip when you move about.

Essential Clothing

Take along a waterproof jacket or a windbreaker for protection against the spray, and a thick jersey. You can always take them off if it gets hot, but if you do not have them with you and the weather turns cold, you will freeze and feel most miserable. On the sea, the weather is prone to do instant turnabout, hot to cold, or vice-versa.

In other words, no matter how blue the sky is when you wake in the morning, you never can accurately forecast the weather for the rest of the day on the sea.

Taking along a rug, is not essential, but a good idea, the same with gloves, especially in winter. Take hats with a brim in preference to a cap. It gives better protection for ears and the back of the neck, which have a tendency to quickly become burnt, both winter and summer on the sea.

You can always go inside if there is an inside cabin on the boat, but it is not the same as watching whales from the deck, and really, this is what whale watching tours are all about.

Extras for children

Take a colouring-in book and crayons, or reading books for children until whales are sighted. They do need the extra occupation, otherwise boredom sets in and this has the potential of irritation for other adults on board. Some cool drinks, sandwiches and biscuits are also a good idea for keeping them happy. Take the time to educate your children about why whale watching tours are more than just a nice day out on the ocean, and if old enough, make sure they listen to the guide.