10 Reasons a Zodiac Whale Watching Trip is Better than a Traditional Whale Watching Boat Tour

10. A better view

That is right, being on the water does not give you that high up and distant feeling away from the subjects you came to be close to.

Our Humpback Friend Finnegan
Our Humpback Friend Finnegan (see the CBC  story about Finnegan)

9. A more personal experience

When you leave a zodiac tour that has had interactions with whales and wildlife there is a greater sense of awe and personal satisfaction. Why? Because you were in the thick of it!

Orcas on our August trips
Orcas on our August trips

8. More social interaction

Instead of being one of 50 on a big boat you are one of no more than 11 people aboard our boats so we do get to ask you where you are from, what your highlights of the trip are so far (hoping ours is going to be it after today!!!), We also recommend events or sites that you should see in our area and indeed across the rest of the island.

Olympic Gold Medalists Jennifer Jones and Jill Officer
Olympic Gold Medalists Jennifer Jones and Jill Officer

7. Get to meet your Skipper

Instead of being ferried around by someone you don’t see or meet, talk and ask your skipper exactly what you expect to see, discuss any feature of the tour or places. Talk about the safety features of our Rigid Hull Inflatables with him and be confident that your safety and comfort are our first priorities!

Skipper Bob
Skipper Bob

6. Smell the salt air

That’s right be at water level and smell the ocean, it is a wonderfully intoxicating and liberating experience. Unlike whale breath which you will also get close enough to smell but you won’t  notice that as the proximity to a whale is more awe inspiring!!

Orca Breaching
Orca Breaching

5. Comfort

Sitting in a neoprene immersion suit all warm and toasty as opposed to be on the deck of a large vessel in a windbreaker because you forgot to pack something warmer…  common.

Warm Guests on an Iceberg Tour
Warm Guests on an Iceberg Tour

4. A shared experience

On our tours we all need to watch for whales. We keep a 360 degree vigil and it is a team effort from before we even leave the dock. For that three hours you meet wonderful people also on our tours, share a fabulous experience and maybe even exchange photos with us and your fellow fun seekers!!

Wonderful warm group in our suits sharing the love, Sweet Whale Love!!!!
Wonderful warm group in our suits sharing the love, Sweet Whale Love!!!!

3. Get closer

You are a lot more likely to get closer to whales in a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (Zodiac)than a big boat. Whales have to look out for the big boats because if they get too close they can hurt them with the props or the keel. We maneuver our boats out of their way and let them be socially interactive if they choose.

Whale lunge feeding on the surface
Whale lunge feeding on the surface

2. Better photo ops

Trying to get some good shots? Well Zodiac Whale/Iceberg/Bird Watching  is the way to go!
Be close on the water and be ready when the whales are close as opposed to being on a deck 10 to 12 feet above the water. Try not to get any whale spray on that lens!!

Blue water faced iceberg Bonavista
Blue water faced iceberg Bonavista

1. The Thrill of a Lifetime

I have been a passenger on tour boats in the Dominican Republic trying to study whales. Frankly here in the cooler waters of Newfoundland there is a level of whale activity I have never experienced anywhere including swimming with whales. The whales are gorging themselves on feed here for the long winter ahead. That means they are busy and when they are full and happy they are also quite active. Breaching whales, tail lobbing, spy hopping and peduncle throws are fairly common experiences here. See our Facebook page for our daily feed and past pictures.

Skipper Bob and Finnegan
Skipper Bob and Finnegan

Look up our YouTube channel to see some of the underwater footage we got his year including lunge feeding Humpbacks, Beluga, Orcas and lots of other stuff. Look up our Facebook page too!!

Already did our tour, write a review for us on Google for Trinity Eco-tours Lodge and come back and see us soon.

Ready to book your ocean safari? 

Whether you’d like to get up close and personal with ocean wildlife, the world’s biggest icebergs, and seabirds, get in touch to see all Trinity Eco-Tours has to offer.

Stay With Us!

Discover historic Trinity on the stunning Bonavista Peninsula from your cozy room in a seaside 19th Century, six-room lodge just steps from some of the most beautiful hiking, historic sites, tours, and more.

Testimonials

Our eco-friendly whale watching/iceberg tours by Zodiac and Kayak, and our ATV tours are the best in Newfoundland!  We offer beautiful  accommodations and an on-site restaurant. It's an experience of a lifetime! 

This is hands down the best whale watching experience I have ever been on. In addition to seeing whales and puffins, Skipper Bob was exceptional. Great guide, full of stories and information and history of the region and an eagle-eye for whales! Thanks for an exceptional experience!

- Maureen R. -

Highly recommend the lodge and tours! We spent 3 nights at Trinity Eco Lodge. Warmly welcomed each morning by Shannon who helped us arrange some tours as well as gave us pointers on places of interest in the surrounding area. Shannon even told us we could warm up some of her homemade beef stew for dinner as we would be coming back late from our ATV trip!

- Ele L. -

We had a wonderful experience doing the whale watching tour! We were thrilled to see two different kinds of whales and a very rare bird - the stellar sea eagle, as well as stunning coastal views. Skipper Steve + Bob were very friendly and knowledgeable. Would absolutely recommend this tour!

- Jessica L. -

We had an excellent tour with Trinity Eco-Tours. We got to see whales, a variety of seabirds including the beautiful Atlantic puffins! But the highlight for me was finally being able to see the gorgeous Steller's sea eagle. She's currently the rarest bird in all of North America, and certainly amazing to see! Definitely worth a trip out with Trinity Eco-tours. The boat was comfortable, and the staff are all incredible! You will not be disappointed.

- Alicia B. -

I did a 3-hour boat tour and it was incredible! They are a great team and you'll be in good hands if you book a tour with them. Detailed information was provided prior to boarding and engagement with the travellers was regular. Although we didn't see any whales (it was off-season), we did see puffins and eagles. Of course, the scenic beauty was breathtaking - you are out in the ocean where you experience the beauty and the force of nature.

- Preeti. -

We had a great time on our sea kayaking tour. Darrell was a fun, informative and educational guide who made us feel super comfortable paddling on the ocean. We came in September at the end of the season so didn’t see any whales or puffins, but Darrell still did a great job telling us facts about local history and the environment and taking photos for us. The hot coffee and muffins at the end were a nice treat too. We’d love to come again when the icebergs and whales are in town!

- Liam B. -