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Northern Whale Study
First Whale Census Vacation in Northern Newfoundland and Southern Labrador

Join a Wildland Tours naturalist on our quest to study and catalogue the humpbacks and orcas of northern Newfoundland and southern Labrador. The area is incredibly rich with wildlife but is one of North America's least studied marine areas. Enjoy comfortable nights, wild days, and some of our planet's most dramatic landscapes as we count humpbacks and pioneer the study of eastern North America's orcas.

Day 2 Travel to L'Anse au Clair, Labrador with a stop at Port aux Choix, Newfoundland to look at ancient orca carvings. The ferry to Labrador is famous for pelagic seabird watching. Whales and seals are also frequent highlights on this 90-minute crossing.

Day 3 If time allows, we visit the 1540s World Whaling Capital, Red Bay, where we learn the story of the bowhead and right whales who once called these productive waters home. Travel through old growth Labrador forest along the new Labrador Highway to Mary's Harbour where we meet the Battle Harbour ferry. Watch for the black bears and other wildlife along the route and around Mary's Harbour. Overnight in the beautifully restored, historic premises of Battle Harbour. From here Peary declared, "The Pole is ours." Today the area has been restored to the glory it enjoyed when it was the Capital of Labrador. We use generators for electricity and enjoy comfortable rooms and the local food.

Day 4-6 Coastal boat trips searching for humpbacks, orcas, and other whales. We will attempt to gather some of the region's first humpback tail photographs. Our hope is that we can also attempt orca dorsal fin photography and use hydrophones to listen in on the underwater vocalizations of orcas and dolphins. We have a small catalogue of orcas we recognize and we will be attempting to broaden our knowledge of these individuals and their biology. The region's dramatic coast and recently abandoned fishing communities contribute a poignant and unforgettable human adventure to the expedition experience. We enjoy the coast's whales, abundant seabirds, and seals by day while soaking up the historic atmosphere of Battle Harbour by night. Our time here is always an expedition highlight.

Day 7 Our gentle adventure departs Labrador for the St. Anthony, Newfoundland area and our local hotels. The ferry trip between mainland Labrador and the Island of Newfoundland provides prime whale and seabird watching opportunities for us again.

Day 8 Depending on the sea conditions and local reports, we will explore the dolphin and humpback rich areas around St. Anthony and the Grey Islands on local tour boats. Every season several recognizable orcas show up, including individuals we know from the Battle Harbour region. This is our last day for photographing humpback tails and orca dorsal fins. We also explore the ancient Norse history of this scenic region....and learn about the relationships the Norse and the first peoples had with the region's whales.

Day 9 The last day of our expedition will likely see more moose and caribou than whales as we leave northern Newfoundland for the charming Glynmill Inn in Corner Brook. Here we enjoy a sumptuous farewell supper.

"Yours is the type of holiday we like to promote as models. Good luck with all your superb work."
Erich Hoyt, author of numerous whale and natural history books

Notes
Included Accommodations in best available local hotels and inns; experienced naturalist guide; all meals; all admissions; ground and boat transportation, including as many whale watching excursions as possible in areas where we have previously seen significant numbers of whales; airport pick-up and drop-off. Expedition participants have the option of receiving educational and natural history lectures on Newfoundland and Labrador ecology and whale census methods.
Not Included Transportation to and/or from Newfoundland
Other Our maximum group size is 12. Meals are a highlight and feature such Newfoundland and Labrador specialties as partridgeberry tarts and bakeapple pies. All of the accommodations are best available in the region, and feature good quality local dining and comfortable rooms with their own washroom facilities. Battle Harbour has several sets of washrooms but does not include facilities for each room. People with strict dietary requirements or medical concerns need to discuss their requirements well in advance of the expedition since southern Labrador is remote, and some services and products are not available. The boats used on our various marine excursions are Canada Coast Guard certified passenger vessels. The Labrador ferry is a larger vessel capable of carrying trucks and motor coaches. The Labrador ferry trip is considered one of the world's premier pelagic seabird watching boat trips. The voyage also typically features whales, seals, and icebergs. In 2002 a similar expedition enjoyed dozens of whales from six separate species. Request our document entitled Orcas of the Western Atlantic for more expedition background information.
Terms and Conditions
*13 per cent Canada/Newfoundland Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) is not included. Non Canadians receive a FCTIP tax credit on their invoice from us and thus actually pay only 6.5% HST.