Provincetown Spot Allows You to See Whales Without the Boat Ride

Ditch the Dramamine for sea sickness on your next whale watch, because you're going to be watching them from the shore, not from a boat.

One of the best-kept secrets has been "whale walks" off Provincetown's water's edge. Locals have been doing it for decades.

This isn't to take away from the famous Captain John Boats or any of the wonderful cruises from Plymouth, Hyannis or Provincetown, but it is a little-known fact that you can catch the captivating splish-splash of right whales, humpback whales and minke whales breaching from the sands of Race Point Beach, at the topmost point of Cape Cod.

Especially in the springtime and summer, record numbers of these majestic leviathans can be seen just off the beach that has a sudden drop of 150 feet, making it a favorite feeding ground.

Get our free mobile app

With the naked eye, look for crowds of water spouts, halfway to the horizon, as pods of whales move graciously back and forth.

That's not all you'll see. Seals at Race Point are plentiful, and since they swim close to shore, that means great white sharks looking for dinner are just a stones throw away.

This year, more than usual, you'll see flags warning visitors with dogs that go swimming to be extra careful in the water. You might also see portions of the beach closed off to protect nesting piping plovers.

Familiarize yourself with all the regulations before planning your outing, and remember to bring everything you'll need to spend the day. Don't forget binoculars and a camera for a memorable "whale walking" experience without the hassles, expenses and crowds of a whale watching boat excursion.