Canada: Where to swim between giant whale bones

From The Globe and Mail (Canada): Where to swim between giant whale bones
What’s the deal?
Explore the remains of Canada’s whaling industry.

Where’s it at?
From the late 19th century until 1972, when a moratorium on commercial whaling was imposed, about 20,000 whales were taken for oil, meat and fertilizer in Newfoundland and Labrador. Rather than study grainy, black and white photos and artifacts in a museum, don scuba gear and dive at a former whaling station.

Head to south Dildo (yes, that’s the name) and book on a guided dive tour of the Dildo Whaling Station with Ocean Quest Adventures (oceanquestadventures.com).

As you descend into the sandy bay, the skeletons of several dozen fin, minke and sperm whales, which are still bright white decades after being submerged, will come into view. It’s an eerie experience. The tree-trunk-size vertebrae and skulls are now home for other marine life such as lobster, cunners and sculpins.

After you’ve done your dive, visit the small seaside Dildo Whaling Museum and you’ll have a better appreciation of this important part of East Coast history. You may even spot some live whales – minkes are often seen in the harbour.

Who’s it for?

Those who like their history first-hand.