Imagine being far out at sea, and suddenly there is a huge crash, and a 40-ton blue whale breaches right in front of you with a huge splash. This is not an uncommon experience on a local whale-watching trip, and it is one you will not forget.

The Boston area has a strong historic connection with whaling. In the 19th century, the town of New Bedford was the biggest whaling port in the world. At one time, 329 sailing ships called New Bedford home. As a result, the town became one of the wealthiest towns in the country. Herman Melville shipped out aboard the whale ship Acushnet in 1841. This was the inspiration for his book, "Moby-Dick.”.

Today, the Boston area is one of the top ten whale-watching spots in the world. On a local whale-watching trip, you’ll head out roughly 25 miles off the coast to Stellwagen Bank, one of the most productive marine areas. A typical trip takes about 3.5–4 hours. Many boats have professional naturalists on board, and sightings are often guaranteed. Light snacks and a cash bar are generally available.

Whale-watching charters typically run from April to October. In the summer months, a jacket, sweater, or hoodie is recommended. In April and October, take a winter coat, a hat, and maybe gloves. Don’t forget a camera or smartphone, sunscreen, sunglasses, and possibly binoculars.

Whale Watch boats are generally wheelchair accessible.  For example, the New England Aquarium whale watch boats The Aurora, Asteria, and Cetacea Whale Watch boats offer wheelchair access to the main deck, including the exterior bow, stern, gallery, and a wheelchair-accessible restroom at the rear of the main deck.