hidden element

Carroll Villa Hotel

Carroll Villa Hotel Navigation Menu

Check Rates

BEST RATE GUARANTEED

Reservations

BOOK DIRECT
BENEFITS AND FEATURES

  • Lowest Rate Guaranteed
  • Complimentary WiFi
  • Private Baths
  • Beach Umbrellas and Beach Chairs
  • Beach Access
  • Dining Vouchers
  • Exclusive Specials
X
Tail of whale showing above the water

Dolphin, Seal and Whale Watching Tours in Cape May NJ

Although we are lucky in Cape May to be able to see amazing sea creatures like dolphins and whales from the shore, the viewing is much more spectacular out on the water. Let us break down the types of dolphin, seal, and whale watching tours in Cape May, NJ. We will also let you know what time of year to expect the best viewing, along with exactly what types of whales, dolphins, and seals you might see.

This is a popular activity that you are going to want to book every year you visit Cape May, so make sure you make your reservations in advance. If you need help planning your trip, don’t hesitate to ask us at Carroll Villa Hotel when you are booking your room. We are happy to help.

Best Season for Tours

You may notice that there are tours available throughout much of the year. If you are interested in seeing whales you should know that the types of whales that visit the waters around Cape May are migratory, so they are most likely to be seen between May and August.  During the late summer and early fall, most of the whales (though not all) are moving south to warmer waters, so be aware of this when you book.  Dolphins are also more plentiful during the spring and summer months. Seals visit during the opposite time of year, and you will generally see them during the colder months. Seals are most visible after they have eaten when they come out of the water to rest.

Types of Cetaceans and Seals You Might See

The Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean near Cape May are full of marine life, partly because of the mix of fresh and saltwater currents. Both whales and dolphins are cetaceans. Cetaceans are then broken into two categories, toothed whales (including dolphins, porpoises, and sperm whales) and baleen whales (including humpbacks, fin whales, and blue whales). Baleen whales have a plate-like structure in their mouths that allow them to gulp huge amounts of water and prey, then filter out the water.

Whales

There are four kinds of whales that may be seen off the coast of Cape May. They are humpbacks, finbacks, common minke whales, and northern right whales. The most commonly seen of these is the humpback. Adult humpbacks are 36 – 52 feet longer, females are slightly larger than males. They weigh in between 30 – 45 tons. Interestingly, most of the humpbacks seen along the Jersey shore are immature males. The most exciting behavior that you may see is called “breaching,” which is when the whale dives below the surface for a few minutes, then surfaces vertically with great speed. The animal may twist in mid-air and then crash down into the waves.

Finbacks are less common, but more spectacular, as they are among the largest of the whales. They are difficult to spot, and also difficult to differentiate from the humpbacks. Sometimes the easiest way to tell the difference is through the size and shape of the spout, which is taller and more vertical (up to 20 feet).

Dolphins and Porpoises

Playful dolphins and porpoises are a common sight along the shore; sometimes they will come right up to, and follow a boat. First, what is the difference between a dolphin and a porpoise? They actually two different mammals. Dolphins have bulbous heads and clearly defined beaks on their face. Porpoises have a rounder head, with a less pronounced beak.

The dolphins that you are most likely to see along the Jersey shore are the bottleneck, short-beaked common dolphins, striped dolphins, and Atlantic white-sided dolphins. Timid harbor porpoises are the only type of porpoise that you may see. People are most familiar with the bottleneck dolphins, famous from the old TV series, “Flipper.”

Seals

The two types of seals that can be seen on the Jersey shore in colder weather are grey seals and harbor seals. Grey seals range in size from 7 to 10 feet long, and weigh from females at 550 pounds to 880 pounds for males. They have large horse-like heads. Harbor seals are smaller, from 5 – 7 feet long, weighing about 285 pounds. Seals are most visible sunning on rocky shores following a full feeding session.

Available Tours

There are three main tour operators in Cape May.

  • Cape May Whale Watch & Research Center is the original eco-tour operation. They emphasize their boat as a research center versus an entertainment center, with passengers engaging as part of ongoing research.
  • Cape May Whale Watcher has a variety of tours from which to choose, including a 3-hour Cetacean Cruise, a Sunset Cruise, and a Dinner Cruise. They offer a “Marine Mammal Siting” guarantee.
  • Thunder Cat Dolphin Watch specializes in up-close tours for viewing dolphins aboard a smaller catamaran speedboat.

Now that you have an idea of the wonderful sea animals that you may be able to view on dolphin, seal, and whale watching tours in Cape May, NJ, it’s time to plan your trip! Book your room at the Carroll Villa Hotel, plan an amazing dinner at the Mad Batter Restaurant and plan your day out on the water! We cannot wait to see you.

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *



Call for Assistance
(609) 884-9619
Call Business Icon

Call

Rooms button Icon

Rooms

Direstions Map Icon

Map

Photo Gallery Icon

Gallery

RESERVE Opens Availability Calendar Window

close X
Find My Room

Special Features

Seating Area
Private Porch
Quiet Location
Ocean Views
Downtown Views
See Results Below

Premier King

Large bedroom with gray wooden sleigh bed, white bedding, gray upholstered chair, and dark wooden dresser

Premier King – Room 4

Large bedroom with antiqued headboard, white bedding, sitting area with tan upholstered chairs, and antiqued wooden dresser

Premier Two Room Suite – Room 6

Bedroom with dark wooden ornate headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and ornate wallpaper

Premier King – Room 13

Bedroom with antiqued headboard, white bedding, sitting area with tan upholstered chairs, hardwood flooring, and ornate wallpaper

Premier King – Room 20

Bedroom with dark wooden headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, gray dresser, and modern wallpaper

Premier King – Room 21

Bedroom with large gray headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, yellow and black pillows, and vase full of pink flowers

Premier Two Room Suite – Room 28

Deluxe King

Bedroom with light wooden ornate headboard, matching footboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and mirror

Deluxe King with Twin – Room 31

Large bedroom with gray wooden ornate headboard, matching dresser with marble top and mirror, white bedding, hardwood flooring, and brocade wallpaper

Deluxe King with Trundle – Room 34

King

Large bedroom with ornate antique headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, sitting area with upholstered chairs, and antique dresser with mirror

King – Room 8

Bedroom with large gray headboard, white bedding, yellow pillows, hardwood flooring, gray walls, and gray dresser with marble top and mirror

King – Room 9

Bedroom with large ornate seafoam headboard, matching dresser with mirror, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and light brocade wallpaper

King – Room 11

Bedroom with light-colored wooden headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, sitting area with upholstered chair, and large mirror

King – Room 14

Bedroom with large light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, and sitting area with upholstered chair

King – Room 16

Bedroom with dark wooden ornate headboard, matching dresser with mirror, cream-colored bedding, and dark wooden nightstand

King – Room 19

Queen

Bedroom with light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, brocade blue wallpaper, and sitting area with white slipcovered chairs

Queen – Room 1

Large bedroom with light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, blue blanket, dark wooden dresser, and sitting area with upholstered chairs

Queen – Room 18

Bedroom with gray wooden headboard, white bedding, hardwood flooring, light gray patterned wallpaper, small upholstered chair, and mirror on the wall

Queen – Room 23

Bedroom with light-colored ornate headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, hardwood flooring, and light gray walls

Queen – Room 25

Bedroom with large dark wooden ornate headboard, white bedding, gray blanket, light-tan and modern wallpaper, and wooden nightstands

Queen – Room 26

close X
Find My Room