What Lenses Should I Take for Whale Watching via Sailboat?

Alan Hewitt Photo wrote:

These are really difficult situations to be able to predict what gear would be optimum.

I've never done whale photography, but I've tried dolphins. They came very close to the boat and appeared then disappeared very quicky. So much so, a wide angle / mid range zoom seemed to be the most beneficial. Even with subjects in the distance, by the time they were framed and focussed with a longer telephoto like the 100-400 they had disappeared again!
Whales may be a bit slower and larger and I'd also be tempted to say a bit further way than dolphins but it's a tough call.

In your situation I think I would start with the X-H1 on the 100-400mm as that offers versatiltity in focal length for distance. I've done a lot of photography from moving boats albeit birds, and it isn't easy when moving and bobbing about seeing the world through a 400mm lens!

Maybe have a chat with the boat skippers and use their experience too. This may help you decide on using the 50-140 or 16-55 on your x-pro. Polariser is also a good shout. Ultimately I think it's a take everything sort of trip and adapt to the situation and conditions.

Not sure what sort of boat / size you will be on but also take a camera / lens cover and microfibre cloth in case of any salt water spray / splashing.

Great idea to speak with the skipper! From your observations I am wondering if there is a downside to Whale watch from a sailboat. Their website says a sailboat is beneficial as there is no motor sound to scare them. On the other hand, I do remember Whale watching on a motorized boat in Vancouver (this was many years ago). The benefit there was the Captain could stop the boat and the whales got relatively close.