I saw my first whale!!!

[divebunnie]

Oh wow what an amazing experience.

Ok I was not in the water (it was arctic!) but I was on the shore in a little town at the very bottom of Africa called Hermanus. To be honest, we had been told that the whale season was over, and all had gone south to colder waters (can they get any colder than that??) But as we stood braced in the breeze I saw a majestic tail pop out of the water and dive down!! This was soon followed by quite a bit of activity from a couple of whales in the bay, one of which seemed to be having fun rolling around in the shallows, while another was busy breaching itself out in deeper water. What an amazing sight. Of course I tried in vain to catch it on camera and video, but it all looks pathetically small and unimpressive once viewed back.
The climax of this event was a mother and calf that came right in close to where we were sat, absolutely wonderful.
How on earth can anyone justify hunting these beautiful animals I do not know.

[Moray Brown]

Never been to Walsall then?

Originally Posted by divebunnie

Oh wow what an amazing experience.

Ok I was not in the water (it was arctic!) but I was on the shore in a little town at the very bottom of Africa called Hermanus. To be honest, we had been told that the whale season was over, and all had gone south to colder waters (can they get any colder than that??) But as we stood braced in the breeze I saw a majestic tail pop out of the water and dive down!! This was soon followed by quite a bit of activity from a couple of whales in the bay, one of which seemed to be having fun rolling around in the shallows, while another was busy breaching itself out in deeper water. What an amazing sight. Of course I tried in vain to catch it on camera and video, but it all looks pathetically small and unimpressive once viewed back.
The climax of this event was a mother and calf that came right in close to where we were sat, absolutely wonderful.
How on earth can anyone justify hunting these beautiful animals I do not know.

[CotoChris]

I've been going to the Azores every year this century, go diving all the time. In the same marina there are whale watching tours.Never went until this year. Went out on one trip, half a day and saw..... no whales (but many dolphins). OK shit happens, so we didn't go the next day but the day after. That trip the guy was commenting on the whales they saw the day before. Lo and behold there were not any to see on this trip either! Nature - you can not plan for it!

Advice: Take your underwater camera and although you can not swim with the whales if on a RIB you can stick your arm in the water and take videos and still shots. All the action is in the water. That is another reason why I want to get the V Cam.

The Azores are great for whale watching, diving and much else except the nightlife.

[PW1664]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

I've been going to the Azores every year this century, go diving all the time. In the same marina there are whale watching tours.Never went until this year. Went out on one trip, half a day and saw..... no whales (but many dolphins). OK shit happens, so we didn't go the next day but the day after. That trip the guy was commenting on the whales they saw the day before. Lo and behold there were not any to see on this trip either! Nature - you can not plan for it!

Advice: Take your underwater camera and although you can not swim with the whales if on a RIB you can stick your arm in the water and take videos and still shots. All the action is in the water. That is another reason why I want to get the V Cam.

The Azores are great for whale watching, diving and much else except the nightlife.

Would you recommend the Azores?

[CotoChris]

Originally Posted by PW1664

Would you recommend the Azores?

For diving? Whale Watching?

It's a beautiful unspoilt place. the diving is good, admitedly maybe not as plentiful fish life (for divers) than the Canaries. It takes some work to see turtles, manta rays etch but they are there. Topside is green volcanic mountains without the tourist resorts. For me it has the perfect package in diving and topside and close to home, closer to me though there are now direct flights from Uk
There are many islands, some more developed than others. I've done a couple trip reports here on YD,

[PW1664]

Originally Posted by CotoChris

For diving? Whale Watching?

It's a beautiful unspoilt place. the diving is good, admitedly maybe not as plentiful fish life (for divers) than the Canaries. It takes some work to see turtles, manta rays etch but they are there. Topside is green volcanic mountains without the tourist resorts. For me it has the perfect package in diving and topside and close to home, closer to me though there are now direct flights from Uk
There are many islands, some more developed than others. I've done a couple trip reports here on YD,

I'll dig out your reports Chris.... thnks

[CotoChris]

Trip report on Azores

Azores Summer 2005

Azores II

One day I'll get around to write a full destination report but these will give you an idea. Any questions feel free to ask. (Sorry by thread diversion)