Whale SENSE is a voluntary education and recognition program offered to commercial whale watching companies in the U.S. Atlantic and Alaska Regions. The program is sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Whale and Dolphin Conservation. In the Atlantic region, the program is also sponsored by the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, and the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Developed in collaboration with the whale watching industry, Whale SENSE recognizes whale watching companies committed to responsible practices.

Participating companies agree to:

✔ Have all staff complete annual training and evaluation
✔ Complete annual stewardship project
✔ Ensure advertising follows responsible viewing practices
✔ Adhere to program criteria
✔ Feature Whale SENSE logo with current calendar year on website and vessels

See current year Whale SENSE participants here.



Whale SENSE and Related Programs

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is WhaleSENSE.png
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is sharing-the-seas-2.png
Safe Boating for Sailors & Whales

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is bewhalewise-square-300x300.jpg
For recreational boaters in the Salish Sea
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is See-A-Spout-2.jpg
For recreational boaters in the Greater Atlantic


Whale SENSE in the Press!