Blue Whale Excursion with Harbor Breeze Cruises and Aquarium of the Pacific | #LBWhales | Fun Things to Do in Orange County, Insider Tips, Deals

August 19, 2013

Blue Whale Excursion with Harbor Breeze Cruises and Aquarium of the Pacific | #LBWhales

Published by Mary Tran

A couple of weeks ago we were invited along with the media on a boat excursion on the new M/V Triumphant of Harbor Breeze Cruises with experts from the Aquarium of the Pacific to see endangered blue whales and explore current conservation issues.

The new specialized high-speed 150-passenger, 83-foot M/V Triumphant was christened on July 17, 2013. Here are some cool features:

wrap-around exterior walkway on the main deck is wheelchair accessible,
the bow of the boat is constructed with tiered stadium-style padded seating,
equipped with a snack bar and serving area,
sound system,
dance floor, and
a programmable LED lighting display in the cabin and on the exterior of the vessel.

Inside the Triumphant of Harbor Breeze Cruises. Photo by LetsPlayOC.com.

Padded tiered stadium seating on the Triumphant of Harbor Breeze Cruises. Photo by LetsPlayOC.com.

Seating on the top deck of the Triumphant of Harbor Breeze Cruises. Photo by LetsPlayOC.com.

More about the Triumphant:

Designed by Nic de Waal of New Zealand’s Teknicraft Design and built by All American Marine in Bellingham, Washington, the Triumphant features Environmental Protection Agency Tier II-compliant engines and consumes 30 to 40 percent less fuel than conventional passenger vessels of similar size and speed. The high-efficiency hull design features a hydrofoil wing lifting system.

Whale Watching Excursion
In no time, we were off to search for blue whales, the largest animal on the planet. We were hoping to spot two whales known to watchers as “Hook” (a whale missing half its tale or fluke) and “Delta” (a whale that has the tips of its fluke pointing up). Along the way, we passed up the Queen Mary.

Experts from the Aquarium’s Blue Whale Research Project

We listened to Kera Mathes, Aquarium of the Pacific marine biologist and blue whale research program coordinator and Michele Sousa, senior marine mammal biologist, Aquarium of the Pacific who provided updates about Southern California’s endangered blue whale population.