Is there anywhere we can actually see a whale?

[Cattia]

OK, I know this is a random question, but Abigail really wants to see a real live whale! She thinks that if we go to the London Sea Life Centre we will see one there. Not sure where she got this idea from, but

a) the London Sea Life Centre is very expensive
b) pretty sure there are no whales there!

I remember as a child going to theme park type places where they had dolphin and killer whale shows, but I don't even know if that tpye of thing goes on any more or whether it's considered cruel to the animals? I really have not the faintest idea where on earth we would see a real whale. Any thoughts?

 

[babifever]

They have blue whale in Atlanta, Georgia, USA - Georgia Aquarium

 

[Cattia]

Dammit, we are in the UK! But this does give me hope that aquariums do exist where you can see whales! I couldn't see anything on the London Sealife Centre webpage that suggested there were whales there but I guess if they are anywhere, they would be there. Trouble is that a family ticket there would cost about £70 (about $110USD) plus at least that for the train to get up to London. Maybe she will have to settle for looking at them on the ipad!

 

[Bex84]

I doubt you would find any where in UK due to being seen as a cruel practice, however you may be able to find trips where may see whales where boat trips go out to see dolphins, seals and whales in wild. I seem to remember seeing advertised in Devon or Cornwall. Here's a few I foundhttp://www.whitbywhalewatching.net/
https://www.hebridean-whale-cruises.co.uk/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/17819410
https://www.whalewatchingtrips.co.uk/
Just look up whale watching UK, obviously not guaranteed to see but they take you to where a chance to see. There are more than above links. We want to go on one of these trips. I do think aquariums are cruel when keeping whales as no way they can be kept in happy environment for them. I believe the sea life centre in London have whale shark but they are a type of shark.

 

[Leliana]

I have seen one in Seaworld in Florida but not heard of anywhere in the UK. I like the idea of seeing them in the wild!

 

[aimee-lou]

I was going to say there are lots of places that do whale-watching boat trips all around the coast - there are dolphins and basking sharks too. Hubby saw some on a deep sea fishing trip last year off Cornwall.


Just going off your info which says hampshire I've found this:
https://www.akwildlifecruises.co.uk...unt-for-members-trips-whale-dolphin-sightings

 

[alibaba24]

America has sea worlds etc that contain killer whales / dolphins and other sea creatures However I am strongly against keeping them in captivity and having them perform unaturaly for food. I reccomend watching the documentary blackfish before visiting a place like that. I Have wanted to see whales my entire life but I will keep waiting until i can afford to go whale watching in the wild. x

 

[Cattia]

Thanks ladies, yes I thought it would be cruel to keep them in a tank no matter how big as they would need so much space. The idea of whale watching is great!! Better start saving, although I guess it must be cheaper than going to Disneyworld Florida which is the other thing she keeps going on about! Thanks for the links, very helpful

 

[Midnight_Fairy]

I was going to say there are lots of places that do whale-watching boat trips all around the coast - there are dolphins and basking sharks too. Hubby saw some on a deep sea fishing trip last year off Cornwall.


Just going off your info which says hampshire I've found this:
https://www.akwildlifecruises.co.uk...unt-for-members-trips-whale-dolphin-sightings

^^

we have done the above link. Much better than the captivity thing.

 

[Cattia]

It seems from the website that they are all in Cornwall. Are there any that leave from Hampshire?

 

[Snow Owl]

I live in Devon and have never seen a whale around here!! The odd dolphin when surfing but even that's rare!!

How about the natural history museum where they have the whale skeletons and life size models?

 

[Cattia]

Yes, I did wonder if that might be a good substitute, although she is adamant she wants to see a real one. We are going on holiday to Norfolk in the summer so I might see if there is anything around there.I used to live in Norfolk and I know you can go and see the seals off Blakeney, which might at least be a good alternative to a whale and they are more reliably present!