Road Scholar : Grand Manan Island: A Whale and Birding Paradise - New Brunswick

Grand Manan Island: A Whale and Birding Paradise

Program Number:

5378RJ

Start and End Dates:


	7/14/2013 - 7/20/2013; 7/21/2013 - 7/27/2013; 8/11/2013 - 8/17/2013; 8/18/2013 - 8/24/2013; 8/25/2013 - 8/31/2013; 9/8/2013 - 9/14/2013;

Duration:

6 nights

Location:

Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick

Price starting at:

$959.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city

Program Type:

Science & Nature; Birding

Meals:

17; 6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners

Meal Options:

Gluten Free; Low Fat; Low Salt; Vegetarian

Set in the context of the shorebird migration, experience the natural beauty of Grand Manan at the pace of bygone times aboard a 56-foot pilot ketch during this exceptional whaling and birding adventure. Grand Manan�s Fundy Bay is one of the top ten whale watch destinations in the world, with sightings of basking sharks, dolphins and tuna possible, too. Spot a multitude of seabirds including phalaropes, shearwaters, petrels puffins and gannets, and experience the amazing Fundy tides from a floating slip.

Highlights

� Spend a day among such whales as Finback, Humpback, Minke, the rare North Atlantic Right Whale and their calves.
� Take a ferry trip to White Head Island where J.J. Audubon spent time collecting birds in 1833.
� View fishing weirs and salmon cages and visit a small whale and seabird research station.

Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile a day. Boarding and disembarking ketch. Bring your own binoculars for birding.

Date Specific Information

7-14-2013, 7-21-2013

Includes whale-watching excursion, study cruise to Machias Seal Island to visit a Puffin colony and study cruise along the dark side of the island with its 300-foot cliffs.

8-11-2013

Includes two whale-watching excursions to view humpback, finback, minke and northern right whales.

8-18-2013, 8-25-2013

Includes study cruise to remote island and large Leach's storm petrel colony, whale-watching excursion to see humpback, finback, minke and northern right whales and a study cruise along the dark side of the island, with it's 300' cliffs.

Grand Manan Island

The largest island in the Grand Manan archipelago is internationally renowned as a bird watcher's paradise and from spring to autumn still teems with the species of birds that enchanted J.J. Audubon in 1833 when he visited the islands.

Accommodations
Century-old inn with period furnishings, large verandah overlooking fisherman�s wharf.

Meals and Lodgings
	Marathon Inn
		Grand Manan Island, NB	6 nights

Marathon Inn
	Type:	Inn
	Description:	Century old inn; period furnishings; large verandah overlooking gardens, scenic Flagg's Cove and the Fishers' Wharf ( watch working fishing boats arrive and depart; see the ebb and flow of world famous Bay of Fundy tides); walk to the "Hole in the Wall, Swallowtail Light or just stroll through North Head village.
	Contact info:	19 Marathon Lane Grand Manan, NB E5G 3A4 Canada phone: 888-660-8488 web: www.angelfire.com/biz2/marathon
	Room amenities:	private bath, hair dryers
	Facility amenities:	Inground solar heated swimming pool, tennis court, bird feeding stations **Free internet and free long distance calling anywhere in North America
	Smoking allowed:	No
	Additional nights prior:	$74.00- $109.00 Canadian. Pre-booking required.
	Check in time:	2:00 PM
	Additional nights after:	$74.00- $109.00 Canadian. Pre-booking required.
	Check out time:	11:00 PM

Travel Details
	Start of Program: 5:30 PM in Hotel Lounge: pre Dinner Reception. You will be staying at Marathon Inn that night.
	End of Program: Program ends after breakfast. Check out by 11:00 am You will be staying at Marathon Inn the night before.
	Required documents: The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. A passport is required for all air travel to/from Canada. On June 1, 2009, a new US law known as the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require those traveling to/from the United States by land and sea to also have a passport or other appropriate secure document (NEXUS card). Passport requirements are subject to change. Visit www.travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html
	Parking availability: Ample free parking at inn.

Transportation

	To Start of Program
	Location:	Grand Manan Island, NB
	Nearest city or town:	Black's Harbour
	Nearest highway:	Route 1
	Nearest airport:	Saint John Airport

	From End of Program
	Location:	Grand Manan Island, NB
		(Additional transportation information same as above)
Travel Details
	Saint John	From Airport
	Service:	Hotel Shuttle Marathon Inn
	Per Person/One Way:	37.50 includes ferry fare Prices are subject to change.
	Travel Time:	2 hours 30 minutes
		Pick up & drop off available at any accommodation in Saint John, as well as airport, bus terminal, etc. Actual driving time to ferry is 1 hour, extra time allowed for probable multiple pickups. Ferry ride is 1 & 1/2 hours. Please indicate if service is required in the appropriate place in advance materials.
	Saint John	From Airport
	Service:	Hotel Shuttle Marathon Inn
	Per Person/One Way:	37.50 includes ferry fare Prices are subject to change.
	Travel Time:	2 hours 30 minutes
		Pick up & drop off available at any accommodation in Saint John, as well as airport, bus terminal, etc. Actual driving time to ferry is 1 hour, extra time allowed for probable multiple pickups. Ferry ride is 1 & 1/2 hours. Please indicate if service is required in the appropriate place in advance materials.

Driving Directions
	St. Stephen or Saint John	Route 1 from St. Stephen/Calais border crossing approximately 30 miles east to Black's Harbour exit, or Route 1 from Saint John approximately 50 miles west to Black's Harbour exit; 5 miles to village of Black's Harbour, follow signs to ferry dock; no ticket office at Black's Harbour ferry dock (purchase ticket upon return only) join line up; first come, first served; arrive at ferry line up at least one hour prior to desired departure time; advance ticket available from Grand Manan only; approximate cost $50.00 Canadian for two adults and passenger vehicle, return trip; ferry schedule provided with information package; may view online also at www.coastaltransport.ca; ferry trip is one and a half hours; modern ferry with cafeteria on board.

Equipment Requirements: Must provide own binoculars.

The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Daily Schedule

Day 1:

(Sunday, July 14)

Arrive To:	Check in, registration
Dinner:	Dinner in main dining room and orientation in Annex Lounge; An Introduction to Grand Manan: slide/lecture format

Accommodations:	Marathon Inn
Meals Included:	Dinner

Day 2:

Whale Watch and Birding Expeditions
(Monday, July 15)

Note: Boarding and disembarking boats. Some walking and standing.

Breakfast:	At inn, hot or cold cereal, fruit, hot entree (cook's choice; changes daily), juice, tea or coffee
Morning:	The group will split in two for whale/puffin boat trips only to facilitate going ashore into bird blinds. Roommates always in same group; friends by request. One group will take a Whale Watch boat trip to seek minke, fin, humpback and North Atlantic right whales, porpoise and dolphins. Look for shearwaters,jeagers, phalaropes, kittiwakes, gannets & guillemots. The other group visits Machias Seal Island, southernmost breeding site of the North Atlantic puffin! During the nesting season it is home to thousands of pelagic birds, the most famous species is the Atlantic Puffin but you can also delight in viewing Razorbill Auks and Common and Artic Terns. Look for Shearwaters, Wilson's Strom Petrels, Phalaropes, Jeagers, Gannets, Guillemots & Eider Ducks en route.
Lunch:	Lunch on board vessel & bag lunch
Afternoon:	Boat trips continue into afternoon
Dinner:	At Inn: set appetizer & dessert, (made fresh daily); choice of fresh catch of the day or meat entree; preorder after breakfast each day
Evening:	Seal Island slide/lecture format

Accommodations:	Marathon Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3:

Whale watch and Birding Expeditions
(Tuesday, July 16)

Note: Boarding and disembarking boats. Some walking and standing.

Breakfast:	At inn: hot or cold cereal; fruit; hot entree (cook's choice, changes daily); juice; coffee; tea.
Morning:	We reverse the activities from the previous day, remaining in our small groups to facilitate viewing from bird blinds. Half of group to the Whale Watch boat trip; Half of group to Seal Island boat trip to view puffins.
Lunch:	Lunch on board vessel & bag lunch
Afternoon:	Boat trips continue into afternoon
Dinner:	At inn: set appetizer & dessert (made fresh daily); choice of fresh catch of the day or meat entree daily, must preorder after breakfast each day.
Evening:	Seabirds & Mammals: slide/lecture format

Accommodations:	Marathon Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4:

Fisherman's Wharf, Grand Manan Museum, Sunset at The Whistle
(Wednesday, July 17)

Breakfast:	At inn: hot or cold cereal; fruit; hot entree (cook's choice, changes daily); juice; coffee; tea.
Morning:	Guided walk of Fisherman's Wharf: an expert led tour of a working facility with insight into the day to day activities of the local fishing industry
Lunch:	At inn
Afternoon:	Guided visit to Grand Manan Museum (includes fisheries & geology exhibit); also home of of the renowned Alan Moses bird collection; many local cultural artifacts.
Dinner:	At inn: set appetizer & dessert (made fresh daily); choice of fresh catch of the day or meat entree daily, must preorder after breakfast each day.
Evening:	Sunset at the Whistle. Sunset, birds, lighthouses and marine mammals from this cliff top perch, high above the Bay of Fundy.

Accommodations:	Marathon Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5:

Dark Side of the Island Boat Trip, Seabird Research Station
(Thursday, July 18)

Breakfast:	At inn: hot or cold cereal; fruit; hot entree (cook's choice, changes daily); juice; coffee; tea.
Morning:	Dark Side of the Island boat trip
Lunch:	At inn
Afternoon:	Guided visit to Grand Manan Whale & Seabird Research Station
Dinner:	At inn: set appetizer & dessert (made fresh daily); choice of fresh catch of the day or meat entree daily, must preorder after breakfast each day.
Evening:	Free evening

Accommodations:	Marathon Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6:

The Culture and Lifestyle of a Fishing Island
(Friday, July 19)

Breakfast:	At inn: hot or cold cereal; fruit; hot entree (cook's choice, changes daily); juice; coffee; tea.
Morning:	Field trip to visit and learn about various aspects of the fishing industry past and present, reflecting the culture and lifestyle of a fishing island. Visit lobster pounds, smoked herring stands, dulsing operations, boat building,salt fish operation, visit a small fishers' supply store.
Lunch:	At inn
Afternoon:	Free afternoon
Dinner:	Choice of lobster or steak dinner
Evening:	Graduation & farewell get together

Accommodations:	Marathon Inn
Meals Included:	Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7:

Farewells and Departures
(Saturday, July 20)

Breakfast:	Hotel shuttle departs from inn at 6:45 am to connect with first am ferry. Continental breakfast at 6:15 am for those who wish to depart on the 7:30 am ferry; full breakfast begins at 7:30 am for remainder
Morning:	Please check out by 11:00 am

Meals Included:

Breakfast

Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

6 nights accommodations
17 meals: 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Expert-led lectures: 3
Expert-led lectures

Led by one or more of our world-class instructors, typically in a classroom setting, lectures come in the form of presentations, discussions or workshops and offer expert insight into your area of study.
Field trips: 8
Field trips

The world is your classroom, as you're on location with an instructor to pursue your educational theme firsthand.

Plus these special experiences...

A boat ride to Machias Seal Island, southernmost breeding site of the North Atlantic puffin!
On a boat trip find minke, finback, humpback and the rare North Atlantic right whale, porpoise and dolphins, as well as a variety of pelagic birds.
The opportunity to meet local characters, discover a splendid diversity of marine life and savor the best of the local catch at dinner
Guided visit to a small whale and seabird research station, plus instructional walk of a working wharf

View the Daily Schedule to see more

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study.
An experienced Group Leader attuned to the needs of Road Scholar participants.
Customary gratuities throughout the program that you would normally pay yourself.
The Road Scholar Travel Assistance Plan, providing 24-hour-a-day emergency assistance coverage.
Taxes

Highlights

Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile a day. Boarding and disembarking ketch. Bring your own binoculars for birding.

Date Specific Information

Includes whale-watching excursion, study cruise to Machias Seal Island to visit a Puffin colony and study cruise along the dark side of the island with its 300-foot cliffs.

Includes two whale-watching excursions to view humpback, finback, minke and northern right whales.

Includes study cruise to remote island and large Leach's storm petrel colony, whale-watching excursion to see humpback, finback, minke and northern right whales and a study cruise along the dark side of the island, with it's 300' cliffs.

Grand Manan Island

The largest island in the Grand Manan archipelago is internationally renowned as a bird watcher's paradise and from spring to autumn still teems with the species of birds that enchanted J.J. Audubon in 1833 when he visited the islands.

Meals and Lodgings

Travel Details

Travel Details

Saint John

From Airport

Service:

Hotel ShuttleMarathon Inn

Per Person/One Way:

37.50 includes ferry farePrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

2 hours 30 minutes

Saint John

From Airport

Service:

Hotel ShuttleMarathon Inn

Per Person/One Way:

37.50 includes ferry farePrices are subject to change.

Travel Time:

2 hours 30 minutes

Daily Schedule

Note: Boarding and disembarking boats. Some walking and standing.

Note: Boarding and disembarking boats. Some walking and standing.

You can't find a better value than Road Scholar.

As a not-for-profit organization, we are dedicated to providing all-inclusive educational programs at great value. From lectures to gratuities to field trips to accommodations - the tuition you pay up front is all that you pay.

Specifically, this program includes:

Plus these special experiences...

And included with all Road Scholar programs:

Hotel Shuttle
Marathon Inn

37.50 includes ferry fare
Prices are subject to change.

Hotel Shuttle
Marathon Inn

37.50 includes ferry fare
Prices are subject to change.