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A Whale Watch in the Atlantic
By Beth Hooe Gilbert

Published: April 25, 2008

I find the ocean to be a very spiritual place for me. I can get lost in the sound of the waves as they crash along the shore and watching the seagulls fly effortlessly along the mighty coastline. I love the feel of the sand on your feet and watching the waves bounce and dance as they reach land. But it was not until I saw my first whale that I realized how spiritual and tranquil the ocean could be. One of the best things I have ever done while visiting the sea was to take a whale watch cruise. Whales are magnificent creatures, and observing them in their natural habitat, their home, was one of the most divine experiences I have ever had.

We took the cruise from a port in Bar Harbor, Maine in the Atlantic Ocean. What started out as hot day in August suddenly turned bitter cold on the ocean. We were told to wear warm clothes in spite of the temperature on land, and they were not kidding! The temperatures on the ocean can be unkind, and yet no one seemed to mind the cold as we stood along the sides of the ship in hopes of seeing a whale. We all watched as the land disappeared and the ocean seemed to envelope us in her beauty. The spray of the ocean hit our faces as we leaned ever closer to the edge for just a glimpse of a whale. The boat bounced and we held on tight smiling with anticipation.

Along the way the captain slowed to point out the picturesque lighthouses on the islands off of the shore. As we rode further out, the first thing that we saw was not a whale, but beautiful dolphins playing in the sea. There were about five of them jumping in front of us. They did not seem to mind the boat as the captain shut off the engines for a moment so that we could snap pictures and be in awe of the dolphins' playful nature as well as their natural splendor. After a few moments the dolphins stopped frolicking and swam off. With that we were off too in search of a whale.

To our surprise and delight, the whales were plentiful this tour. We came across two whales as they swam along side the ship. The captain once again stopped the engine and we watched as the whales would go under and then re-emerge even closer to the ship. We watched as they jumped, and gasped in awe as they blew air through their blowhole. My eyes were glued to the water as we waited for them to resurface, and it was spectacular to see! As those whales swam off, the captain continued sailing closer to the coast of Nova Scotia. As luck, or fate, would have it, we ran into more whales, and they were just as amazing as the ones before them. They jumped in and out of the crystal clear water as if showing off for the crowd. The captain could not believe our good fortune on this late summer evening, and we stayed out well past the three hour allotted time. On our way back to Bar Harbor, we saw a mother whale with her child. That was the greatest find of all as we ended a truly remarkable whale watch tour.

We were told that we saw two different species of whales. We saw the Minke whale and the Finback whale. Both swam with grace and exquisiteness, and both won a place in my heart for a lifetime. It was an unbelievable and life-changing time spent on the sea with such a marvelous animal. The next time we visit Maine we want to go back and revisit the whales and hope to catch a few Puffins and maybe a seal this time as well!

If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend whale watching or any type of cruise that allows you see the wonders of the ocean. It is truly a spiritual experience that you will not soon forget. It reminds us of the beauty and splendor that are present in the sea, and why we should do our best to preserve the abode to the many breathtaking and brilliant creatures that call the sea their home.
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Copyright 2008. Beth Gilbert is a freelance writer. She loves the the outdoors and a good ghost story. She has been published in Ghost! Magazine, FATE Magazine, and is a 'Friendship Author' for Lifesgift. Ms. Gilbert is also currently writing a novel for young adults. She lives in West Virginia with her husband and two sons.