Lighthouse and Lobstering Tours
7 Seas Whale Watch is proud to offer visitors to Gloucester, Massachusetts an alternative way to experience the history and natural beauty of harbor that Samuel De Champlain called "Le Beauport" or "The beautiful harbor" when he first visited to the area in 1604. Since this time settlers from many European nations, most notably England, Portugal, and Italy, have contributed to the long and storied history of America's oldest seaport. From the days of the old fishing schooners, when Gloucester harbor was described as "...a forest of masts..." to the present-day fishing fleet, Gloucester's history remains closely tied to the North Atlantic Ocean. No visit to Gloucester would be complete without experiencing this history for yourself. We hope that visitors to our city (as well as life-long residents) will enjoy learning about the unique history of the fishing culture that has defined Gloucester for nearly 400 years, and enjoy seeing Gloucester from a sailor's perspective... from the water!SOME TOUR HIGHLIGHTS...
- EASTERN POINT LIGHTHOUSE
- TEN POUND ISLAND AND LIGHTHOUSE
- HAMMOND CASTLE
- NORMAN'S WOE
- SIGHTS FROM "THE PERFECT STORM"
- FISHERMAN AT THE WHEEL STATUE
- LOCAL WILDLIFE
- CLOSE-UP VIEWS OF GLOUCESTER'S FISHING FLEET HELP US PULL AN ACTUAL LOBSTER TRAP AND SEE WHAT WE CATCH!
- LEARN OF GLOUCESTER'S MARITIME HISTORY
- SEE MANY OF THE CITIES MOST HISTORIC BUILDINGS AND ARCHITECTURE
- LEARN OF PAST AND PRESENT FISHING METHODS AND TECHNOLOGY
- NO ROUGH WEATHER OR SEA-SICKNESS ON THIS TOUR!!!
OUR VESSEL
This 1 1/2 hour tour of Gloucester harbor begins at our dock in the heart of Gloucester's waterfront at Seven Seas Warf on the shores of "Harbor Cove". Here you will board our 90-foot U.S. Coast Guard certified vessel "Privateer" which was designed specifically for spacious viewing. The Privateer has two clean and comfortable restrooms, a fully enclosed inner cabin, wide outer decks, and an open second level for a bird's-eye-view of the harbor. A galley with light snacks and beverages is also on board for you comfort and convenience.
THE "INNER HARBOR"
From the time we let go our mooring lines and get underway you will be surrounded by sights of Gloucester's fishing past and present. Harbor Cove is home to the "Cape Pond Ice Company" which has become a symbol of Gloucester since it's logo was made famous in the Hollywood movie "The Perfect Storm". Here you will learn of the methods that fishermen use to keep their catch fresh during the long trip back from the fishing grounds... some of which are nearly 1,000 nautical miles from Gloucester!
After departing Harbor Cove we will cruise Gloucester's "inner harbor" which consists of three sections: North Channel, South Channel, and Smith's Cove. Here you will see much of the fishing fleet unloading their catch and preparing to return to sea. You will also learn about the modern fishing practices employed by fishermen to ensure a good catch.
LOCAL WILDLIFE
Local harbor wildlife is also quite abundant in the inner harbor, with Mute Swans, Common Eiders (pictured below), Double-crested Cormorants, Bonaparte's Gulls, Herring Gulls, Greater Black-backed Gulls, and Ring-billed Gulls being amongst the most common birds. Harbor Seals are also quite frequently seen eyeing newly arrived fishing boats in hopes of finding some left over fish scraps.
The "Outer Harbor"
After visiting various points of interest in Gloucester's inner harbor we will head into the "outer harbor" which has often been described as one of the most beautiful on the east coast. Despite the fact that Gloucester Harbor is a mile and a half long and more than two miles wide in places, its southwesterly aspect combined with the shape of the harbor ensures calm seas and a pleasant ride... even for those not accustomed to life at sea! From these protected waters we will explore many sights not accessible from shore. You will hear commentary on ...
- Ten Pound Island
- Cardinal Cushing Villa
- Hammond Castle
- Dog Bar Breakwater
- Eastern Point Lighthouse (whose flashing white light marks the easternmost tip of Cape Ann)
- Norman's Woe
- Stage Fort Park
- Fisherman at the Wheel Statue
- The Annisquam River
- Along the shore at Stage Fort Park for what is the highlight of the trip for many passengers... the pulling of a live lobster trap. It's one thing to learn of a fishery, it's another to take part in it. We will pull one or two (depending on what we catch!) lobster traps from the harbor floor and, hopefully, find a lobster or two inside. Our crew will then speak on the biology of the lobsters and other animals found in the trap as well how the trap itself works to catch the animals. Then we'll re-bait the traps and set them back in the water for next time!
Weather permitting, we will venture out past the breakwater to visit the open sea for a few minutes and expand our view of Cape Ann. On clear summer days we can see a broad portion of the Massachusetts coastline; with the buildings of Boston to the south and the twin lights of Thatcher Island in Rockport to the north all visible at once!
We hope you'll enjoy this unique way of experiencing the city we are so proud to share. See you on the water!
SCHEDULE and PRICES
- Trips depart daily Memorial Day through Labor Day at 11AM and 2PM from Seven Seas Warf in downtown Gloucester, MA
- Adult fare is $20.00
- Children fare $10.00
- Groups of 10 or More $15.00
