| Rating |
Date Attended [v] |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
|
Nice people but no learning
|
| Sun, May 4 9:30 AM |
SilkeFinke |
Female |
30-39 |
International Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| The direction to find the tour start are good to follow and accurate.
The reservation was without problems and the welcome was warm and nice.
The boat, as we can say, was in a good shape, drinks and snacks are available (for small dollars).
Surely it is not the fault of Sanctuary Cruises, that the whales doesn't showed up, but the advertisment is sort of, that you believe you will see dozends of whales any time and really near the boat. But that doesn't happend on our tour.
The description of the tour promises information about sealife and enviromental subjects. But nothing was given during the tour only directions where the next whales are to see (or not). We expected a little more from an Ex-Greenpeace activist. So we ended the tour without having learned anything expect the name of one sort of whale. |
|
Fun and worthwhile.
|
| Sun, May 4 9:30 AM |
twobluhens |
Female |
30-39 |
Combination |
Family With Children |
| We had a great trip out on the Santuary with Captain Noel. He was very knowledgable and friendly. I would recommend reading all the information provided on the website as much of the precautionary information regarding how to dress and seasickness are very accurate. It was VERY cold and we were dressed in many layers including ski shells. And the boat was small and very rocky. I would say that about half of the people on board were vomitting over the side. No one from our group, since we heeded the seasickness warnings and took Dramamine about 2 hours before the trip. We saw several humpbacks but none very close up. Saw many whales spouting from a distance and got a few good looks at their tails and "humps." Saw huge groups of sea lions swimming in a formation and quite a few otters too. It was definitely a fun first-time experience. |
|
|
Saw a few whales, many sick people
|
| Sun, May 4 9:30 AM |
pkpearson |
Male |
50-59 |
Local |
Family With Children |
| Disclaimer: this is the only whale-watching trip I've ever been on.
On a four-hour cruise, we saw three to six whales within a few hundred yards, including some lovely wave-goodbye fluke action. More whales seen at great distance.
Photography was virtually impossible due to the brevity of sightings and the hazard of salt spray to cameras.
The boat seemed suboptimal for this application. The pilot's reflex to steer toward any sighting meant usually the only good views were from the foredeck, but foredeck was very unpleasant due to spray and extreme motion, and few people were there.
By my estimate, well over half the passengers (but not me) were substantially incapacitated by motion sickness, for which the operator rented electronic anti-nausea "wrist bands" for $7.50, which seems a little abusive. |
|
Great experience
|
| Sat, May 3 9:00 AM |
CHARLESHARPE |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| The trip was fabulous. We were in no rush and were able to wait around to get a really good look at the whales. |
|
|
Lots of whales
|
| Thu, May 1 9:30 AM |
slundell |
Female |
30-39 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| The crew was friendly, knowledgeable and fun. We saw lots of humpback whales, a pod of orca, and other wildlife, including moon jellies, sea lions and otters. They aren't kidding when they recommend warm clothing. |
|
|
Once again, a wonderful trip!
|
| Thu, May 1 9:30 AM |
jennsdolph |
Female |
20-29 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| This was the second time I went out in two weeks. A wonderful trip with a wonderful crew!! We saw Humpbacks and Orcas! I wouldn't go out with anyone else! |
|
|
Awesome!!
|
| Thu, May 1 9:30 AM |
ritameyer |
Female |
40-49 |
Combination |
Other |
| We had a great day with Captain Noel. We saw more Humpbacks than we could count, we saw huge rafts of sealions and to top it off, right before we were to re-enter the harbour we saw a family of Orca's. It's been a couple of days, but I can still feel the excitement ;-).
Loved it, both my experiences with Sanctuary Cruises were awesome, would recommend them to everyone. |
|
|
Whales sighted
|
| Tue, Apr 29 9:30 AM |
H25xMTL |
Female |
60-69 |
Local |
Other |
| Within a few minutes of leaving the harbor the captain spotted two groups of Humpbacks, one a group of three and another a group of two. We were able to view both groups at different times.
He also told us about the Sea Lions warming themselves rather than waving at us along with other information about other animal sightings.
We all (three seniors and one adult) enjoyed the trip and took home some good photographs. We were sorry that the wind picked up making the sea very choppy and encouraged us to return a little early. |
|
|
The killerwhales were awesome
|
| Sun, Apr 27 9:30 AM |
hgrootnl |
Male |
50-59 |
International Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| The captain and his deckhand took is on a great tour on the Pacific (we ended up outside the Monterey Bay). At first we found a group of humpbacks. Great opportunity for real nice photo's. Humpbacks were all around us.
After getting a tip from a colleague, the captain took of to find a group of killer whales up north. What a show! Killer whales jumping out of the water! Took some great photo's there aswell.
The captain really cares about the ocean. Three times he made a stop to "catch" balloons floating in the ocean.
O, and did I mention the seaotters, california seals and the jellyfish? \
All in all a great trip, thanks to a great skipper and a very friendly deckhand. Don't forget to bring your sunblock! You'll burn alive.
Hans de Groot,
The Netherlands |
|
|
Once in a lifetime adventure
|
| Sun, Apr 27 9:30 AM |
ksltwols |
Female |
40-49 |
Combination |
Family Without Children |
| We had a wonderful time. To see orcas and humpbacks on the same trip was amazing. The only thing I would recommend is that you wear rain proof clothes because we got soaked and really, really cold. |
