Southern californias diverse coastline is a picturesque backdrop for a family day trip out on. At that time, thousands of them can be found off the california coast. Southern california whale watching gray whales goin. February is also a good time to see the big whales around the baja california, mexico.
The season doesnt matter so much, as whales can be spotted here at any time of. A pacific gray whale put on a show at southern californias redondo beach, popping its huge head out of the waves and rolling around in the surf. Here is our list of the top whale watching spots in southern california. What a great week this has been for wonderful weather. The california gray whale or california grey whale eschrichtius robustus is a whale that travels between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. There have also been rare glimpses of pygmy sperm, pilot, killer, false. Newport landing whale watching proudly supports crystal cove alliance, the nonprofit partner of crystal cove state park, which is dedicated to education, conservation, and restoration efforts within the state park and its marine conservation area. Along with the traditional grey whale migration from december through april, the appearance of huge numbers of giant blue whales during the. Before heading out on there are a few things to keep in mind. We opted for 9 oclock and saw a cow, her calf and a bull trying to court her. Looking for the best places to go whale watching in california. Many species of whales can be seen off the coast of california yearround, but especially during the winter and summer migratory seasons.
By land or sea, whale watching in newport beach is ranked as one of the top activities and southern california has some of the best waters for whale watching. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. So, i do not believe there is a best time of year to come out whale watching in southern california. But theres something special about seeing an animal in its natural habitat. Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. Southern california whalewatching tours depart from most harbors along the coast. Gray whales are migrating along californias coast right now. Giant blue whales were once considered quite rare off southern california, but over the last ten years. Because of my obsession, we used to go on one of the fantastic whale watching tours each year. Keep reading i am going to assume that when people think about going whale watching, they want to see whales jump out of the water breach and see as many as possible. March is the best time, as the newborn seals gather at the beach in high numbers. Some of the warmest water temps of the year makes this the best month for the mega pods of dolphin unique to southern california. In the winter, you can watch migrating gray whales make their way between alaska and mexico.
Betsy has been writing about california for nearly more than two decades as tripsavvys expert on the state. Blue whales swim and feed off the california coast from midjune through october when krill is abundant. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. Whale watching in southern california huntington beach. San diego a good place see oceanfaring mammals at their finest. Capt dave had 3 nice gray whales today under ideal summerlike conditions.
Best tips for san diego whale watching when to see them travel. Piers can be good too, but they are not very high above the waterline. Tables link below per park service, the cabrillo point is 10 minutes sooner then scripts pier again arrive 30 to 45 minutes before peek low tide, this gives you more time to get out look around and then start heading back in before the tide comes in. Live eat play calendar of events visit advertise with us. The summer months are the best months to witness the worlds largest animalthe blue whale. The best time for whale watching in california daveys locker. Southern california whale watchers can view these giants during the summer months. Whats more exciting than watching a giant humpback whale come within a few feet of your boat.
If you want to do some monterey whale watching, the best time of year to take a tour depends heavily on the kinds of species that you wish to see. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. Coast guard certified to carry up to 49 happy passengers and they are both roomy, even at full capacity. Daves is located on the waterfront in dana point harbor, and is an official dana point whale watching company. Private boat rentals limited time special rates book online. Whale watching in california pacific coast highway travel. Dolphin watching and whale watching excursions are magical experiences. Thats when several hundred blue whales migrate into southern california. Where to see blue whales in california blue whales feed off the california coast between bodega bay and san diego.
At the whale watching museum, volunteers sit out on the terrace and monitor the whales by counting all the whales they spot, marking down the type, number. One of my very favorite things to do is to go whale watching. In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. Winter is the best time to view marine life in california, as impressive pods of gray whales take their own vacations down south for the chillier months. Whale watch boats and the coast guard on sunday resumed their search off southern california for a blue whale that has become entangled in hundreds of feet of fishing line. Or go even further south to watch the blue whales and southern right whales off the coast of victoria. Some people care about seeing a variety of species while others dont. Manutea, 50ft catamaran and lily 62ft catamaran are u. These adult animals weigh about 40 tons and average 50 feet in length. Along the coast between the point fermin lighthouse and the point vicente lighthouse, a deep channel provides a migratory path for the whales, making the high coastal cliffs one of the best places to watch them. If youre interested in gray whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions, turner suggests coming down to southern california any time between january and april. Southern california offers numerous spots where you can go whale watching from shore. Whale watching in dana point book now at captain daves.
The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. Monterey whale watching the best time of year to take a tour. Is whale watching in san diego worth it this time of year. When choosing a dolphin and whale watching company, be sure to choose an experience with an official dana point whale watching company. In the exact same spot at the exact same time in 2010, nearly 200 whales surfaced along the southern california coastline in search of their favorite food, a tiny shrimp called krill. I was lucky enough to grow up in southern california, in an area that happened to be on the migratory path of the majestic gray whale. You may download the appchoices app at to opt out in. Whalewatching cruises are available from most of the. The best time for whale watching in california usa today. You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. Newport landing whale watching proudly supports crystal cove alliance, the nonprofit partner of crystal cove state park, which is dedicated to education, conservation, and restoration efforts within. This is when they come to breed and raise their young and is the best time to go on a costa rica whale watching tour.
Great looks were had by all as dave and crew kept the whales at a safe distance alongside the condor express, matching their speed. Blue whales are regularly found and a half dozen or more whales can be located in same area feeding on krill. Monterey bay is californias hub for all things aquatic. These whales feed off southern california on small crustaceans, krill, by a method of straining the water they take into their huge mouths. The best time to go whale watching in monterey bay, california.
Best whale watching in southern california condor express. Whale watching cruises are available from most of the. My husband and kids would love to go whale watching and i have seen plenty of companies offering these tours. We went on the midday trip and there were so many whale sightings that we had to decide which way to go whales at 9, 12 and 3 oclock. Apr 29, 2019 the best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. Faqs book a dolphin and whale watching tour with capt dave. The point vicente interpretive center in rancho palos verdes is where the l.
The best places to see them from are viewpoints that are high on bluffs especially at points that stick out into the ocean. The warm waters right out of dana point harbor are flourishing with sea life including whales, dolphins, harbor seals, and california sea lions. The wonders of whale watching in california california. Be safe, and ask the rangers questions when you arrive. For more information on whale watching in san diego, california, view one of the articles or visit one of the tour operators below. Jan 26, 2018 the best time to go whale watchingshort answer. Hi, will be over in california for 2 weeks in the middle of march. The height of the southern california whale watching season is the annual california gray whale migration, from december through april. Find the best places to see whales in san diego and the best times to go whale. Whale watching is a growing activity that everyone should try. Mar 24, 2018 6 ways to watch gray whales migrate north, passing southern california on their trek to alaska. With a large kelp forest just offshore that attracts the oceangoing. Download some of our favorite birding apps, and then start looking up.
In fact, during whale watching season in san diego, youll find plenty of ways to see the migration. Southern california we have cruises yearround, every day. Trips depart at multiple intervals daily throughout the year providing tourists and locals of southern california with a great opportunity to view marine life in their natural habitat. With some of the worlds largest mammals migrating past coastal points, feeding near the coast and swimming in inlets, youll find plenty of ocean creatures to see. You can go out for a whalewatching excursion yeararound and expect to see migrating whales, plus tons of resident marine life like turtles, sea lions, and sea otters. Zoos, animal parks and theme parks like seaworld are all great places for families to learn about the animal kingdom. If you choose to take a whale watching cruise during summer months between may through september, you can have the opportunity to see blue whales, sperm whales, orca whales, finback whales and so much more. According to the birch aquarium in san diego, gray whales generally travel. Blue whales feed off the california coast between bodega bay and san diego. My husband and i are planning our 10 year anniversary trip and have decided to go to monterey to see the aquarium and san francisco, but trying to figure out where we should go to see whales while we are out there. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. Touchdown in san francisco on sep 1st and travel highway 1 down to san diego over 2 weeks. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic.
Pacific gray whales off the coast of san diego, california. At the whalewatching museum, volunteers sit out on the terrace and monitor the whales by counting all the whales they spot, marking down the type, number. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. First time whale watching in california ive wanted to go whale watching since i was a kid. Whale watching southern california is a site that was created with residents and visitors in mind who are looking to go whale watching. Best whale watching spots in southern california california. It reaches a length of about 16 meters or 52 ft, a weight of 36 tons or 80,640 pounds wow and an age of 5060 years. The best time to go whale watching in monterey is middecember through midapril gray whales, dolphins, and orcas or. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again.
The best time is during the annual migration of gray whales, december through april, though whales visit these waters year round. According to volunteers at the aquarium of the pacific, there have been gray, sperm, humpback, blue, fin, and minke whales sighted on their whale watching tours. Find a place to stay book online or call 18003506205 to speak with a local expert. When is the best time to go whale watching in the bay area. Many people are scared to go whale watching as it is a new experience for them and they are not well aware of what all it has to offer. Bring along some binoculars for the best view, although in. Blue whale tangled in line prompts search along southern. The best places for whale watching in california visit california. With record numbers of whales being spotted up and down the coast, now is the ideal time to embark on a whale watching adventure.
Jul, 2017 with record numbers of whales being spotted up and down the coast, now is the ideal time to embark on a whale watching adventure. Dec 25, 20 one of my very favorite things to do is to go whale watching. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. This is where i ended up going, and you can read more about the experience below. This article first appeared in the 2018 california visitors guide. Photo courtesy of newport landing whale watching the best places to go whale watching in california balboanewport beach. During this time you can see them breaching and spouting not far from shore.
Southern california whale watching newport beach cruises. The waters just outside newport bay at newport beach are considered some of the most fertile in california. Why is the whale watching so good off newport beach. Whale watching in newport beach visit newport beach. The best time to go whale watching in monterey is middecember through. Southern california is the best place in the world to look for a blue whale as they seek the nutritious krill that allows them to grow to their epic size.
The best time for whale watching in san diego is in the morning. Humpback whales and blue whales migrate during the summer months, from early june to late september. Blue whales average 100 feet in length and 100 tons, this is the size of a boeing 737 jet. Coast guard certified for 26, we limit the trips to 20 because we know you love extra elbow room. Exploring the eastern pacific ocean in search of the gray whale along its migratory route between alaska and baja, mexico. Buy tickets online or call 949 6731434 to schedule a cruise located in newport beach, just minutes away from most cities in orange county, daveys locker has been providing whale watching cruises for over 40 years to both residents and visitors of orange. Best places for whale watching from shore in southern. May to october you might see blue whales, which can grow more than 100 feet long. Best places for whale watching from shore in southern california. The best time to go whale watching in monterey is middecember through midapril gray whales, dolphins, and orcas or midapril through middecember humpbacks, blue whales, dolphins, and orcas. You will not get as up close as a whale watching but you dont need to worry about getting seasick. While gray whales get the spotlight along the california coast, other.
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