Whale Watching On Lake Michigan

Watch for news about the restarting of our Whale Watching Trips in July 2025.*

New site scheduled to launch July 2067

For the first time ever, Midwestern audiences will have an opportunity to see whales in the wild.

As part of a special partnership between the Sea Watch Conservatory and Great Lakes Awareness Foundation along with a special grant from the Foundation for Oceanographic Awareness, we are pleased to announce the successful importation of a small but thriving whale population in Lake Michigan between Grand Haven and Holland, Michigan.  See red circle on the chart below for information about the general area of the whale barrier and whale location.

For the protection of both the whales and boaters, unauthorized vessels are not allowed in this area as per regulations of the US Corp of Nautical Engineers.

During the summer of 2025 you will have a  once-in-a-generation opportunity to see these beautiful creatures up close thanks to the efforts of Grand Haven Whale Watching.

Your support during our first year will help us expand.  Watch for opportunities to Ride the Whales in September 2025.

* The exact date of our first trip will be somewhat dependent on the results of the November 2024 election.  It is our hope that with Harris in the White House we will be able to obtain the funding necessary to get all of our vessels running and working to a reasonable level of safety.

137 thoughts on “Whale Watching On Lake Michigan”

    • Mary VanDoosenburg, Founder and Chief Oceanic Officer on

      We have put a lot of thought into this so our whales (coming soon sharks and dolphins) can be as healthy as possible. Every day we add a bit more salt and work for the proper pH. It takes a lot of chemicals but this is the age of better living through chemistry. It is an amazing time we live in. Thanks for your concern. Please come out to see the whales on one of our excursions or safely from shore. Please do NOT attempt to take your own boat out to see the whales. It is simply too risky.

      Reply

      • Wouldn’t adding salt and the proper PH to the water mess with the fresh water fish? Cause mutations? Because adding chemicals in the water to have whales thrive in an environment that’s not salt water will kill off any grease water fish. It’s like letting a cat lick the hell out of a salt lick and DIE from salt poisoning.

        Reply

        • Mercedes
          Salinating the water in small areas may result in some immediate loses of our little fresh water friends, but they will be consumed by the new whale population.
          Here is a little experiment you can do at home, mix a half cup of salt in a small Mason jar, pour it into a larger jar containing fresh water, you will see how it stratifies, The is how we in Wyoming maintain our ocean fish population, the salt water fish use the top layer, the fresh water fish swim beneath.
          I hope this explains your question.

          Reply

          • We always enjoy hearing from our fellow Whale repopulators in the great state of Wyoming. I would recommend anyone visiting Yellowstone this summer consider exploring the layered salt/freshwater lakes of The Cowboy State. Forever West my friends.

  2. I would love more information…are these beluga whales, how will they be kept in one area, what will they eat, etc.
    thank you.

    Reply

    • Great questions. These whales are big ones. For legal reasons, we can not tell you the exact species. The best way to find out is to come to join us on one of our tours. Once we get all of the holes repaired in our boats we will be ready to start tours again. Be sure to spread the word and be part of this great new adventure.

      Reply

  4. Wow!! You’re so lucky! I’ve never seen one before, but I love the whales in Lake Ontario so I’m sure I would love these too!!

    Reply

    • Just so you know, the so-called “whales” in Lake Ontario are actually just genetically modified sturgeon. If people tell you there are whales in Lake Ontario, they are clearly trying to scam you. Be careful and do not fall for the misinformation.

      Reply
    • Kate Tering - Head of Food and Beverage Services at GHWW on

      We are pleased to offer a wide selection of root beer. Options include: DAD’s, Fanta, Hires and Town Club.

      As for popcorn, we had to eliminate popcorn from tour. Unfortunately, we found the butter was an irritant to whale skin. We have decided to replace popcorn with chocolate covered pretzels from the new Miss Lisa’s ice cream stand in Ferrysburg.

      Reply

      • It is great to see people supporting our efforts to bring whales (and soon sharks, dolphins and jellyfish) to the Great Lakes. Please support our efforts by getting a free Grand Haven Whale Watching sticker. Write me at mary@grandhavenwhalewatching.com for details. Please be careful. If you are not going to take one of our excursions, only look for the whales from shore. We highly, highly discourage private boats, swimming, surfing or kiteboarding in the whale areas.

        Reply

    • Hate is not welcome here. Try to open your mind. Just because you have not seen something with your own eyes does not mean it is not true. Let’s have more love and more open minds.

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    • You rode the whales in your library class? We would love to see pictures. Please send them along and we will try to post our favorites here. Thanks for taking time to ride the whales with your library class.

      Reply

    • Hello Liam,

      Thanks for taking time to write. Let me start off by saying I don’t think I am your bruh.

      Why do you think this site is fake? Please don’t be a hater. It is better to have an open mind and understand that not everything you learned in school is always correct. Keep your mind and heart open and find your way to understanding that whales have a real place in our society and in our precious Lake Michigan. I hope you will find it in your hear to believe.

      Reply

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