 Whale
Watching by Kayak
Sitting in a
kayak while whales pass close by is one of the most remarkable experiences
possible. No words can describe the awe and elation that a close
encounter inspires. The intimacy possible from the sea-level vantage
point of our self-propelled craft is unmatched.
While we are
able to encounter whales in our waters nearly every day, we keep
in mind that, despite their great size, whales can be easily disturbed
by people in boats. This can be obvious when we see motorized boats
that approach whales too quickly and too closely. Motors also produce
a great deal of underwater sound that can decrease the whales' ability
to communicate.
Boats like kayaks,
with their small size and slow, quiet movement, are often thought
of as "no trace" vessels. In real life, though, they can
have an effect on marine mammals, even those as large and mobile
as whales, leaving a trace that's not obvious but nevertheless occurs.
Our guiding principle is to behave in a way that does not cause
the whales to alter their behavior because of our presence.
While whales
appreciate the lack of noise and the slow pace of human-powered
boats, they still have a comfort range. That range is much less
with boats like kayaks and canoes; still, we practice caution with
our behavior around whales so as not to have a chance of disturbing
them.
Recognizing
the whales' behavior
Whales either travel (consistent direction moving 5-7 miles per
hour), forage for food or play (random-appearing direction and varying
speed), or rest (consistent direction, in a close group, moving
about 2 mph).
What
we do
Traveling whales simply pass by kayakers at a pace faster than kayakers
can paddle. Stay in one place and let the whales choose how close
to come; they won't run into you. The same goes for playing and
foraging whales. If you're paddling the same direction as their
movement, paddling in the same, consistent direction at the same
speed as they pass you will allow them to be comfortable with your
movement.
The tricky situation
is with resting whales. Kayakers can keep up with resting whales
at the slow speed they move in this mode. But this is precisely
the time when we're most cautious not to disturb their rest. So
we stay at least 100 metres away and, if we're going the same direction,
paddle parallel to the group. But be aware that the whales are not
angling toward you in their forward progress. If they are, angle
away to maintain the distance or stop paddling. Be careful not to
cross directly in front of them or behind them.
Watching whales
by kayak is, in our experience, the best way to see these impressive
animals. While the urge to try to paddle after them or to approach
as closely as possibly for a hopeful photo is likely to be there,
we hope everyone will remember that the whales need space and peace.
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