Jump to: Reviews | What Whales Know About Humans

Their recent exclusion from competing in the Vancouver Winter Olympics has left the Pacific whales not spiteful, but newly motivated to dazzle the watchful world. Today’s Groupon gets you non-Olympic coverage of the ocean’s magnificent mammal-fish on a two hour and 60 minute whale tour from The Oceanic Society for $30 (a $40–$45 value, depending on the day). Don your Shave the Whales T-shirt and bring along a vigilant eye to judge and score the slalom talents of behemoth sea creatures.

The lack of humpback whales walking the streets of San Francisco has left many humans at a loss for what whales actually look like in this day and age. The Oceanic Society encourages you to dust off your dependable high school catchphrase, “Goodness, whales” and welcome beautiful hydrobeasts back into the vocabulary of your imagination. Your three-hour Half Moon Bay Whale Tour tracks the migration of the grey whale. Take off from Pillar Point Yacht Harbor aboard the distinguished Salty Lady vessel that will steer your gaze in the direction of whales body-slamming and cutting through the surface of the waves. Let no whale make a peggin’ lubber of you as you infuriate your company with an endless stream of literary Melville.

The local grey whales that fancy a crisp strawberry seltzer are swimming in your backyard and would love to say hello. Greet them with friends and family and offer to discuss topics that whales can relate to, like Michael Phelps and rhinoplasty.

Due to potential weather cancellations, be sure to call in advance before making the trip to the bay.

Reviews

Wayne and Judy Bayliff at Scienceray write:

• It was not long before we saw the backs of two whales rising from the water’s surface and rolling forward in the gentle sea just a few hundred feet off our starboard bow. To our amazement, these huge denizens of the deep swam directly toward our boat. It seemed as if they knew we would do them no harm, and wanted to recognize our presence…If you have not been on a whale-watching cruise, we recommend this one highly.