What age would you take your kids whale watching?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just watched the TLC showed called Outdaughtered. They have five 5 year olds that just turned 5 and they took them whale watching. They all seem to enjoy it.

This is reality TV, not reality.

[Anonymous]

Our group which included 5 kids of varying ages went on a whale watching excursion in Iceland. Waters were pretty choppy and it was cold on deck. We didn't see wildlife until about 20+ minutes into the trip. By then, all kids but the oldest (12) had given up on looking at a vast empty ocean and went below deck to play cards. When we got close to the whales, it was still a fairly long distance away and best seen with binoculars. The highlight was when a pod of dolphins followed us into the harbor on the return to Reykjavik, which they enjoyed seeing.

Still glad we did it, even if just for me & DH.

[Anonymous]

Don’t do it. It is a long boat road since you have to go far out, over 3 hrs at least and very wavy. High risk for getting sick. Plus it is cold. I went in the summer out of Boston and was freezing on the top deck.

[Anonymous]

We went on a trip in Victoria British Columbia and took our then 19 month old. It wasn’t about it being interesting for him at that age obviously - we wanted to do it ourselves and had no other options for care. It was awesome, he had no issues and took a nap in the middle.

[Anonymous]

This would really depend on where we are. We didn't take our kids whale watching in Maine because the boat operators there (and people we knew who had gone) had indicated the water could be rough.

I would have no problem doing it in Hawaii - the waters there were calm when we went whale watching there on a vacation without the kids. And I get seasick pretty easily.

[Anonymous]

Took mine at 4. Location really matters. If you start too far from the pod, it takes a long time in the boat to get there and that can lead to more sickness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do it. It is a long boat road since you have to go far out, over 3 hrs at least and very wavy. High risk for getting sick. Plus it is cold. I went in the summer out of Boston and was freezing on the top deck.

Boston is very far from the pod. If you start from closer you’ll see them within 45 mins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t do it. It is a long boat road since you have to go far out, over 3 hrs at least and very wavy. High risk for getting sick. Plus it is cold. I went in the summer out of Boston and was freezing on the top deck.

Boston is very far from the pod. If you start from closer you’ll see them within 45 mins.

I wouldn't recommend Boston either. It is a long boat ride, and family members who are not prone to seasickness got sick. The worst is when the whale watching is done and you realize you still have a couple-hour return trip ahead of you through choppy waters.

[Anonymous]

Errr, my family is near the Cape in Massachusetts and my daughter has been going since she was 2 or 3, whenever she was old enough to be excited about seeing whales. Never had an issue with seasickness, though she gets carsick pretty badly.

[Anonymous]

15 and 12. I wore the patch and was fine, they did not and were also fine. Spouse also did not use any sea sick medicine and was also fine.

[Anonymous]

Never. Whales are amazing but I hate seasickness more than I am interested in whales.

[Anonymous]

I went at eight or nine when I was a kid, out of Gloucester. I remember it being pretty rough, but I was fine. Seasickness is really particular though. I've never gotten seasick or carsick, my husband gets carsick but never seasick if he can be outside.

[Anonymous]

We used to go as a school trip starting in 4th grade. I don't remember seasickness being an issue. This was off the coast of NH.

[Anonymous]

This all sounds miserable, and this is coming from someone who grew up on boats/on the water.