Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Bay of Fundy Whale Watching at it's Best!

Good morning whale watch friends!

What a glorious morning here in St. Andrews! The sun is shining and the robins have moved back into town and that's a sure sign Spring has started!

With an increase in temperatures in the Bay of Fundy region, there is also a rise in water temperature! Rising water temperatures and longer day length triggers the growth of phytoplankton - small, sometimes microscopic marine plants! :) Phytoplankton is the base of the food web in marine environments and plays a vital role for whales! It's almost whale time!! :)
Different species of Phytoplankton
 
Whales start their migration into the Fundy Isles region, usually mid-June with the first sightings consisting of Minke whales and Harbour Porpoise. The Fin or Finback whale is the second whale to arrive in our waters, typically early to mid-July. Humpback whales arrive around late July and the rare and endangered North Atlantic Right Whale are sometimes seen in our waters as early as August or sometimes as late as October.


Watching a Minke Whale off Head Harbour Light, Bay of Fundy
 
 
We are counting down the days until the beginning of the season, Captains Chris, Rob, James and crew cannot wait to see you aboard the Island Quest for what will be one of the most memorable days of your life, time spent with whales! :)
 
 
Check back in for more updates and posts about whales and all things Bay of Fundy and St. Andrews!
 
 
Cheers,

Nicole :)

Bay of Fundy Sunrise from St. Andrews by-the-sea and Island Quest :)

 
 
 


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Warming Weather and Whales on the Move!

 
 
The maritimes have been hammered this winter with some severe storms, including the weatherbomb that hit the east last week bringing 50+cm of snow and 200+km/h winds in the Bay of Fundy!! The good news - it's finally starting to warm up!

We are hearing reports from Florida and Georgia that the Right Whale population is on the move! Heading to their more northerly feeding grounds, the whales are making their way up the coast with their new calves! The Bay of Fundy is the summer home to some of those very special whales!
 
Pictured here is Mom and Calf pair!
 
We are looking forward to an amazing season of watching Minke, Finback, Humpback and Right whales along with all of our other favourites from the stable and spacious Island Quest! Have you made your reservation yet? We are booking up quickly for the 2014 whale and wildlife season! Hope to see you all soon!
Cheers,

Nicole :)

Bay of Fundy Sunrise - a beautiful start to a morning of whale watching!

 

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Gearing up for the 2014 season!

Whale Watching 2014

 
 
The Island Quest family is getting ready for one of the best Whale Watching seasons yet on the Bay of Fundy! We are booking up quickly so make sure you book your tickets to get out with St. Andrews most experienced (and eduational and FUN!) whale watch!!

Also, we would like to say a BIG congrats on the grand opening of the newly refurbished Algonquin Resort! Check out their website to see the #AlgonquinReimagined! http://algonquinresort.com/
 
Hope to see you all very soon in warm and sunny St. Andrews, New Brunswick! :)

Cheers,

Nicole



Thursday, August 15, 2013

Finbacks!

Whales abound!


We've had some awesome sightings with lots of Fin and Minke whales spending quality time with us at Island Quest! 
So much wildlife to see! More pictures to be added very soon!

Thanks for checking with St. Andrews #1 whale watcher! :)

Cheers,


Nicole :)

Sunday, July 21, 2013

July Whales and Wildlife!

Fantastic Whales and Wildlife!

Happy late July everyone! We've had an eventful few weeks with lots of whale activity! The Minke and Finback whales have been entertaining our guests, along with tons of Harbour and Grey seals, lots of Harbour porpoise and of course all the bird life we see! Here are a few photos of our sightings so far! :) 

An up close look at a Minke Whale! We average 3-6 Minke whales on every departure! :)


 American Bald Eagle sightings have been fantastic so far! Lots of adults and juveniles - we even get to stop and take a look at eaglets (baby eagles) in a nest!!

 Harbour Seals relaxing at their usual haul out site - they looked relaxed!
 Slice - one of our favorite Minke whales visits often and definitely puts on a good show! :)
 Mom and baby Harbour Pospoise.
 Osprey fishing right in front of us - lost the fish but there is always next time!
 Lots of Harbour Porpoise getting close to the boat with lots of fish in the area for them to feed on!
 Fin whales are HUGE and so COOL to see! We love spending time with these gentle giants!
 Bliss light house on an evening departure - such beautiful scenery.
 One of the many creatures our marine biologists talk about onboard with our touch tank! Great for kids and kids at heart!
And let's not forget about our fish friends! We have been sighting some sharks this season! So very COOL!!!



Last but not least - we have that energetic female Minke from last year that breached, breaching again :) This photo was taken by one of our guests aboard the Island Quest! Lots of activity in the Bay this year. 

Come experience the Bay of Fundy our way - authentic and local!

Cheers,

Nicole :)

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

June 2013

Good Morning Friends!

We have been fortunate to have some fantastic weather these last few days! Sightings have included lots of Bald Eagles, Eider ducks, Kittiwakes, Loons, many species of gull and Harlequin ducks just to name a few of the birds we've seen. We also have been sighting tons of Harbour Seals, Harbour Porpoise and of course - Minke whales! :)




Yesterday we had the pleasure of watching two Minke whales feeding together - what an amazing sight! 


Daily sightings of mature and juvenile bald eagles have been fantastic - swooping down and catching fish right in front of us!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone this summer aboard St. Andrews BEST whale watcher, the Island Quest! :)
Enjoy the Bay our way :)




Monday, June 10, 2013

Happy Opening Day!

Happy Opening Day!!

Celebrating our 15th season as St. Andrews most recommended whale watch, we are gearing up for our first trip of the 2013 season. We have a 2:00pm departure leaving today, on what is sure to be a fantastic cruise. With reports of whales from the local fishermen and amazing weather, this trip is not to be missed! 
Come experience the Bay of Fundy our way :)

We are looking forward to seeing everyone out this summer aboard the Island Quest! We cannot wait to share this experience with you!

Cheers,

Nicole :)