According to marine biologists, aquatic mammals are those creatures that reside partly or entirely in water, such as whales, dolphins, and imperious housecats who refuse to get out of the hot tub. Lay eyes on the biggest of these elusive creatures with today's Groupon to the New England Aquarium Whale Watch. Choose between the following options:

For $45, you get two tickets to a whale-watching-tour package (up to a $118.20 value). The package includes:
• Two tickets aboard the Voyager III high-speed catamaran for the whale watch (up to a $46.60 value/ticket, including fuel and fees)
• $10 worth of concessions aboard the boat
One memory stick with 20 digital images of the day's whales and one 5"x7" print of an image (a $15 value)
• For $85, you get four tickets to a whale-watching-tour package (up to a $236.40 value). The package includes:
  • Four tickets aboard the Voyager III high-speed catamaran for the whale watch (up to a $46.60 value/ticket, including fuel and fees)
  • $20 worth of concessions aboard the boat
  • Two memory sticks with 20 digital images of the day's whales and two 5"x7" prints of an image (a $30 value)
    
    

Between April and October, the New England Aquarium Whale Watch whisks aquatic wildlife spies 30 miles east of the city to a marine sanctuary where on-board naturalists provide educational voiceovers, earning a first-place spot as the Best Whale Watching outfit by Boston.com's A-List. During the three–four-hour voyages, wildlife enthusiasts can observe up to 17 different species of marine mammals as they swim, jump, and marvel at how some mammals live on land. The aquarium's propeller-less vessel, the Voyager III, only emits jet bubbles, allowing the captain to covertly slip the ship close enough to the majestic creatures to garner intimate views and bellow sweet nothings into their ears. As herring gulls and double-crested cormorants flutter overhead, patrons can gaze at a humpback whale tending to her calf, or gawk as a minke whale dives for sand eels. The day's best sightings are captured online at the whale-watch log and copied to a take-home memory stick and 5"x7" print to taunt the family's underachieving goldfish with. Check the daily schedule of tours to plan ahead.

While aboard, sneak to the galley for a hot chocolate or coffee (a $1.50 value), or brace sea legs with the substantial sustenance of a fresh muffin ($2.25) or seafood chowder ($3). Before casting off, be sure to check out the list of what to bring, which includes rubber-soled shoes, a jacket or sweater, and a whale-size ziploc baggie in case any of the finned mammals wish to go home with you. New England Aquarium Whale Watch's 2012 schedule will be available in February of 2012.