A recent survey ranks whales’ bellies ahead of safety-deposit boxes and mattresses as the preferred place to store valuables. Experience one of nature’s most priceless resources with today’s Groupon to Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center, operated by The Starlight Fleet in Cape May, New Jersey. Choose from the following options:
- For $20, you get one admission to the three-hour Whales, Birds & Dolphins cruise (up to a $40 value). The cruise departs at 1 p.m.
- For $15, you get one admission to the two-hour Around Cape May Dolphin Watch Cruise or the Cape May Sunset Dolphin Cruise (up to a $30 value). The morning cruise departs at 10 a.m. and the sunset cruise departs at 6 p.m.
- For $37, you get two admissions to the three-hour Whales, Birds & Dolphins cruise (up to an $80 value). The cruise departs at 1 p.m.
- For $27, you get two admissions to the two-hour Around Cape May Dolphin Watch Cruise or the Cape May Sunset Dolphin Cruise (up to a $60 value). The morning cruise departs at 10 a.m. and the sunset cruise departs at 6 p.m.
These are seasonal cruises, which are not currently in session. Tours begin on a limited basis on April 15, 2012 and will be available seven days a week starting in June 2012. One child age 6 or younger gets in free with each paid adult, and admission for each additional child younger than 6 is $12. Admission for each child age 7–12 is $20 for each cruise.
The Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center’s 80-foot boat keeps patrons buoyant as they scour the deep seas for humpbacks, waterfowl, and other marine animals on a variety of cruises. Tours set sail seven days a week on the M/V Whale Watcher, whose design elements allow for unobtrusive, up-close viewing of whales, dolphins, and runaway goldfish. On the two-hour Around Cape May Dolphin Watch Cruise, morning guests dine on complimentary donuts, apple juice, and coffee, and sunset guests gulp down cheese pizza and hot dogs. Seafarers on the three-hour Whales, Birds & Dolphins tour can fill up on a galley of snacks such as pizza, ice cream, and hot dogs ($2–$5; not included in the value of this Groupon). Each tour completely encircles the island of Cape May, passing natural scenery and a variety of historic sites, such as the rugged cliff where George Washington slayed his first sea serpent.
Though The Starlight Fleet sometimes features a discounted price online, this Groupon still offers the best deal available.
The Starlight Fleet
The ships that comprise The Starlight Fleet's squadron of vessels each transport passengers across the waves on a variety of sea adventures. The Starlight ferries fisherman on four-hour excursions to hook sea bass, flounder, croakers and triggerfish, the captain using sonar, GPS, and a knowledge of the currents to identify prime fishing real estate. The Atlantic Star typically serves as a whale-watching vessel and is kitted out with a snack-filled galley and a touch tank filled with horseshoe crabs and other local sea life.
The company even boasts its very own pirate ship, The Dark Star, a custom-designed vessel built by Naval Architect Michael LeMole. It takes passengers on swashbuckling adventures during which they learn what a swash is and how to buckle it, as well as participate in treasure hunts and face painting.