The right whales are returning to the Cape earlier than usual this year. According the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies several were seen on the Cape.  "They’ve probably been here for a fairly long time already,” noted Dr. Stormy Mayo, director of Right Whale Habitat Studies at the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies.  Sunday afternoon, when the Center made the aerial track across the Bay, they spotted 12 endangered North Atlantic right whales, 2.4-percent of the entire world’s population, cavorting about. "That’s a big deal,” Mayo said. “I think we’re in a time of change. What’s happened particularly over the last four years, is Cape Cod Bay is more and more important to right whales. So much that half of the entire population has come into the Bay over the last four years. Considering we’re not out there all the time it’s probably more than that.” The estimated world population is about 510 whales, confined to the North Atlantic, primarily on this side.

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When visiting Cape Cod make sure you make plans to go whale watching. Whale watching tours begin in April, just in time for April School Vacation. It's a perfect activity for families: it's fun, educational and affordable.  There are such frequent whale sightings in the Atlantic waters surrounding Cape Cod, that the World Wildlife Fund named Massachusetts one of the top 10 whale-watching spots in the world. The “wow factor” here is huge, as right whales, minke, finback, and humpback whales regularly glide through the waters, and glimpses of them spouting and breaching are practically guaranteed. Indeed, many local whale-watching companies declare a 99-percent whale-spotting success rate during the peak viewing months of April to October. Some of the best whale-watching adventures leave from Provincetown on Cape Cod, like Dolphin Fleet www.whales.com or http://www.whales.net/index.html

Aren't we lucky to be able to view such beautiful animals so close to home. Come to the Cape and watch this natural wonder. You can book a whale watch package with the Tidewater (508-775-6322) or make arrangements for whale watching on your own. Both the Dolphin Fleet in Provincetown (800-442-3188) and Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises of Barnstable Harbor (888-942-5392) offer excursions.

April School Vacation at the Tidewater Inn.

April School Vacation for Massachusetts schools is here and, hopefully, spring has finally arrived. The Tidewater is an affordable option for Cape Cod and perfect for families with its oversized indoor pool, picnic area, playground and breakfast diner. Vacation week marks the official opening for most of the businesses that closed during the off season. Favorite waterfront restaurants, mini golf, ice cream shops and many others will be opening for the season. This week is a very popular time for the Cape. The weather is usually mild, the hotel rates are still low, and there's much to do on the Cape. There's many child oriented activities during vacation week and the Cape is geared to family fun.
Cape Cod Children's Museum has a full week of fun and educational activities for kids. Visit their website,
http://www.capecodchildrensmuseum.org/

Cape Cod Musuem of Natural History is a wonderful place to visit with the family and offers a program for kids Monday through Friday at 1pm during school vacation week. http://www.ccmnh.org/

The Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary is another wonderful way to spend the day with the children during vacation week. It's a 1,100 acre retreat that showcases the Cape's diverse habitats, beaches, woods, salt marshes and ponds. They offer bird walks led by a naturalist, educational programs, and guided tours of the Cape Cod National Seashore. There are even evening lectures and camping facilities. During vacation they offer additional children's activities. Check out their website, www.massaudubon.org/ for more information. The trails are open every day from 8am to dusk and the Nature Center is open 8:30 to 5pm daily. 508-349-2615.

The right whales are returning to the Cape and the Whale Watch out of Provincetown has already started. Spend the day exploring the National  Seashore and enjoy some of the scenic vistas along the way or hike one of the scenic trails and proceed to Provincetown and the whale watch. After the whale watch enjoy dinner in one of the many wonderful resaurants that Provincetown has to offer. This is one of my favorite ways to spend the day on the Cape.

And of course, all of the mini golfs open for the season during this week. Two of the largest, Pirates Cove and Skull Island, are in Yarmouth. There's lots more to do...bike trail, hiking, walks on the beach...this is just a sampling. At the end of the day just relax in our hot tub while the kids enjoy the pool.

Our breakfast diner, Helen's Diner, will be open all week so that you can enjoy a hearty home style breakfast before beginning your day. Our special for the week is $69.99, Sunday - Thursday and $79.99 Friday and Saturday in our standard rooms. Waterview rooms are $10 extra per night. Give us a call at 508-775-6322 if you have any questions.