March 3, 2006 — The Environmental Association of St. Thomas-St. John has scheduled its annual whale watching day trip for March 19.
"Eco-guides" will join EAST members and guests on the Dancing Dolphin boat for the all-day educational trip.
There is no guarantee that whales will appear during the excursion, though February and March are the most popular months for whale-watching in the Caribbean.
Humpback whales spend their winters in the warm Caribbean waters, before heading north again each spring. EAST hosted more than one whale watching trip last year, though no whales were spotted last year or the year before, according to EAST member Dalma Simon.
Tickets are $55 for EAST members and $65 for non-members. The same rates apply for children, and tickets must be paid for in advance of the trip. Tickets will be available at Dockside Bookstore in Havensight or at East End Secretarial in Red Hook early next week.
Trip participants will gather at the National Park dock in Red Hook at 8:30 a.m. March 19. EAST plans to bring the boat north of Lovongo and Tobago cays because those are popular whale-watching areas, but weather and sightings closer to the event may change those plans.
Participants are advised to bring their own food and refreshments, sunscreen, a hat and binoculars. The boat may stop for a short swim during the day, and participants may want to bring snorkel gear.
For more information on the trip, call 774-1837.