The primal power of seeing whales up close.
Whales play an outsized role in New England culture: They have migrated along through regional waters for eons. Whaling was a massive part of the 19th Century economy, making places like New Bedford and Nantucket world-famous. And today, more and more sightings off local coasts are tentative signs of recovery.
Above, a beluga mugs for the camera at Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. This encounter is, well, mystical, and you couldn’t hope for a clearer view of these playful cetaceans. Yet nothing beats an actual whale watch—and when your brother thoughtfully proposed a cruise around Cape Cod with your niece and son, you jumped at the opportunity.
The afternoon was unusually fruitful: The guide spotted 20 distinct humpback whales, who surfaced, dove, and waved tails all around the ship. Your host was the Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises, and you can’t recommend them enough.
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