25 Feb 2012 Whale Watching off Virginia Coast




Sunday afternoon we sailed The Belle across the Chesapeake Bay, and then about 5mi offshore into the Atlantic for some incredible whale watching. Alli and Brent were glued to the pulpit and foredeck as we approached these beautiful animals. With Staysail and Mainsail full, we quickly became part of the water way as a pod of humpbacks passed by.

 

We kept about 20 meters distance from the pod, they seemed to welcome us as part of their world. The water was thriving with fish, for the seagulls were diving all around making huge splashes all to similar to the air blows that some of the whales made as they barely broke surface. Most of the whales had 3-4 feet of body clear the water as they leisurely swam by while others blew air gysers like Old-Faithful. The moderate 9-10kt southeasterly wind made it nice!