Ocean Explorations Zodiac Whale Adventures

09/08/2024

Honoured (?)

I've been 'cloned' - NO, i didn't sent you a 'friend request'

07/01/2022

Thanks for all your interest and Good Night!

Happy Canada Day!

Sunset of my career, and Ocean Explorations.

Sadly we will not operate in 2022, and perhaps be winding down for good. Personal health reasons (having problems with an eye, including 2 surgeries this winter., Also reduced 'stamina' now ... or because mid 60s, it is 'catching up with me?). There are many, many reasons, big and small to call it a day. We have moved even further away into our new 'forever' SOLAR passiv 'net zero' home on the Bay of Fundy shore, up in the wonderful village of Port. George. I'll continue to keep an eye out for the sporadic whales that pass by here, and I'm a SEAL watcher now, they are swimming by our shoreline frequently.

I had a buyer pre-covid and it all crashed ... made it through pandemic and now potential buyers aren't able to get liability insurance as a new policy. A LOT of problems and price escalations upward, for those IN business. If you are IN the (or any) business involving 'risk' - the whole insurance industry is changing a lot. Even the brokers don't understand what is going on. Colleagues have been warned, if they have a claim, they might not get renewed.

40 years of whale-guiding, I'm a bit disappointed with the 'exit', originally planned as 2020 being my 'grand finale'. I'm leaving the business, with great concern(s) about the future for ALL life on the planet with this climate EMERGENCY, a lot of 'hypocritical' of/for our consumptive lifestyle(s), including my own. I just hope some (if not all) have gained appreciation for the other species we share the planet with. Please take CLIMATE CHANGE seriously, for the sake of the millions of species we are 'taking down' with us.

Environmentally yours,

(Captain/biologist) Tom Goodwin

*** UPDATE: August - we have found new insurance provider outside the region, so Ocean Explorations MAY live on! ... stay tuned! ***

07/26/2021

06/24/2021

The whales are arriving in the Bay of Fundy, but (still) not a lot of 'passengers' (arriving) yet.
For safety of family & staff, WE are waiting for higher immunization rate(s) and more passengers from outside Nova Scotia. Ocean Explorations 'attracts' a LOT of our clients from outside the region; joining 'discerning' bluenosers coming to us from research, top rating reivew sites, guide books, higher end accomodations, and referrals.

WE have the most qualified/experienced (40 years!!) captain/guide in Canada, possibly even the world!

**Our 'zodiac' is the ONLY commercial grade (heavy duty materials, and TWIN outboards) PASSENGER zodiac in Nova Scotia, the quality used by Coast guard and other professional agencies for rough seas (and safety)! Some drive BMWs, some dirve Kias! We've had/used 'consumer grade' single engine zodiacs in the past, so not critiquing other companies, simply pointing out all 'zodiacs' are not equal quality.**

Generally 'later is better' anyway. While whales are virtually always seen on on tours, sometimes fewer and/or further in the way early in the season. Still no (decided) 'official' opening date, we might take private or larger groups earliear we are aiming for approx. July 10-17th.

Hope to see you in 2021!

06/24/2021

The whales are arriving in the Bay of Fundy, but (still) not a lot of 'passengers' (arriving) yet.

For safety of family & staff, WE are waiting for higher immunization rate(s) and more passengers from outside Nova Scotia. Ocean Explorations 'attracts' a LOT of our clients from outside the region; joining 'discerning' bluenosers coming to us from research, top rating reivew sites, guide books, higher end accomodations, and referrals,.

WE have the most qualified/experienced (40 years!!) captain/guide in Canada, possibly even the world!

**Our 'zodiac' is the ONLY commercial grade (heavy duty materials, and TWIN outboards) PASSENGER zodiac in Nova Scotia, the quality used by Coast guard and other professional agencies for rough seas (and safety)! Some drive BMWs, some dirve Kias! We've had/used 'consumer grade' single engine zodiacs in the past, so not critiquing other companies, simply pointing out all 'zodiacs' are not equal quality.**

Generally 'later is better' anyway. While whales are virtually always seen on on tours, sometimes fewer and/or further in the way early in the season. Still no (decided) 'official' opening date, we might take private or larger groups earliear we are aiming for approx. July 10-17th.

Hope to see you in 2021!

05/21/2021

Found on Google from www.fisheries.noaa.gov

08/17/2020

Summer is going by fast!

07/07/2020

2020 was 'supposed' to be my 'grand finale' last (full time) season!

Thinking maybe mid-late July pending no big changes.

As I've suggested for 30+ years to 'locals', going out mid June to mid July has it's risks (weather and lack of whales, or too far for the conditions). No disrespect to my colleagues, but they've had some much poorer than average trips so far - so why wouldn't you wait for better odds?

We are still watching and reviewing what is happening and I won't lie, the fear of getting/bringing home 'the covid' is a big factor (our ages and existing health issues in the home). We are learning more and more about it being in the air and more and more about how little we know about it!

Stay tuned .... and stay safe!

*40th includes 5 summers in NFLD

(coincidentally probably worst calendar magnet design for cutting off the photo portion, post 2020! dooohhh! I am going to have a lot of leftovers)

06/08/2019

World Oceans Day is a global celebration on June 8 with hundreds of events around the world celebrating our ocean.

12/18/2018

seems some of the posts disappeared when they re-formatted this page. how many folllowers here?? We also have Ocean Explorations Zodiac Whale cruises (as a separate business page) and also as a 'group'. Would like to end this one I suppose. (??) ... anyway, if you read the post, we donated $250 to Suzuki Foundation and we'll be donating more. 'We can’t say it enough: Thank you!
Dear Tom,

You stepped up and helped us get an extra $27,000 from Gordon Lightfoot, Leonard Schein and an anonymous donor.

We’re inspired by your generosity.

Your gift is already powering real solutions!

Pushing governments to pass strong renewable energy policies
Connecting renewable energy champions in communities across the country
Focusing on sustainable transportation in Canada
Wishing you a safe and happy holiday season,

The David Suzuki Foundation team

08/31/2018

August round up!! (2nd half) Triple breach, ... lots of breaching all month!