New York City to Cape Cod: Whales, Great White Sharks & Seafaring History

Overnight, the ship has navigated to the tip of Cape Cod: Provincetown. Choose to tour the many galleries in town, with its thriving community of artists. Or opt to explore the Cape Cod National Seashore farther south. At the Wellfleet and Eastham communities and touring the Three Sisters Lighthouses and the beautifully restored Atwood-Higgins house, learn about the history of the Cape. Construction was completed in 1730, making it likely the oldest house on the Cape. George Higgins donated the house and the many out-buildings on the property to the National Park Service in 1961. And of course as the ship continues this tour of the National Seashore, be always on the lookout for wildlife. The Cape is home to 450 species of amphibians, reptiles, fish, birds and mammals. Back on board, enjoy lunch as the ship departs into the whale-rich waters north of the Cape and on to Stellwagen Bank, always on the lookout for the cetaceans of the Atlantic, which may include humpback, finback whales and, with a great deal of luck, the highly endangered northern right whale.

Over breakfast, sail out of Nantucket Sound and into the Atlantic. Off Chatham, be joined by Atlantic White Shark Conservancy staff to learn about the apex predator’s return to Cape Cod waters and to watch for great whites that frequent the area from June to October. At the elbow of Cape Cod today take the Zodiacs to the quiet shores of Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge. An extremely important stop for migratory shorebirds, Monomoy will be a hotbed of activity this time of year with numerous species including Hudsonian godwits, red knots and black-bellied plovers in their stunning spring finery, refueling before setting north again to breeding territories on the Arctic tundra.

Today, while dining on breakfast on board, sail towards Woods Hole, the quiet, Cape Cod town that is home to one of the leading marine laboratories in the world–Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. Here enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of this top facility, learning about the many projects worldwide in which the institute is involved. Then make the last of several stops in Massachusetts waters. The fascinating tales of little-known Penikese Island, part of the Elizabeth Island archipelago, come alive. Human use of the island has gone through many different permutations including serving as a leper colony. While walking along the trails, hear stories of the island, now allowed to return to its natural state.

Today the ship will pick up a local conservation specialist from The Nature Conservancy who will join for the cruise around Plum Island. They’ll speak about their ongoing efforts to save this 840-acre island from going on the auction block and being developed. The island is a haven for wildlife: it’s the location of the largest seal haul-out in New York, hosts over 220 species of birds and is rich in ecological diversity. It was also home to Fort Terry from the Spanish American War until World War II and is currently the home of the world-renowned Plum Island Animal Disease Center.

This morning, cross to the south into New York waters. At Great Gull Island, take Zodiacs close to nesting seabirds including common terns and the pink-hued roseate terns. The largest breeding populations of these two species in the Western Hemisphere are here at Great Gull Island. At the island, learn about the research projects lasting over 50 years. Back on board, arrive where the Connecticut River meets Long Island Sound. Venturing a short way upriver, arrive at New London to disembark and explore the largest maritime museum in the world at Mystic Seaport.

In the morning, enjoy breakfast and a leisurely exploration of the north shore of Long Island Sound, including Outer Island, and if conditions are right, launch the kayaks for water-level exploration. In the afternoon, reach the many islands of Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge on the Connecticut side of Long Island Sound. Launch the Zodiacs to watch for nesting birds including ospreys, gray catbirds and yellow warblers. Enjoy walking trails among hickory, maple, birch and sassafras trees. Long Island Sound’s north shore is a nature lover’s delight.

This morning, the ship makes her way down the East River under the Throg’s Neck Bridge and six more bridges, including the Whitestone and Queensboro bridges, before cruising under the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty before sailing into New York Harbor for disembarkation and a transfer to the airport for flights home.