Our daily whale watch trips are narrated by a marine biologist or naturalist who provides educational and interesting information about whales, dolphins, and a wide variety of marine wildlife. Fall giant blue whale watching the official travel. The whale watching season half moon bay is the perfect spot for witnessing the journey of these spectacular creatures. Watch the seasonal migration of california grey whales and blue whales off the san diego coast up close and personal. The diversity on the monterey bay is pretty amazing. Record number of gray whale sightings this season l. This is a unique opportunity to look for killer whales with the leading california killer whale experts. The humpback whale is an endangered species, occurring in all the worlds oceans. Best time to visit baja california responsible travel. The peak of whale watching season is still december through april when tens of thousands of california gray whales come within a few miles of the san diego coast on their 5,000mile southern voyage, the longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis.
Interannual and seasonal trends in cetacean distribution, density. Select from several whale watching cruise times daily and year round. Would love to see some whales but not sure if my likely seasickness is worth it if the whales arent around. I have done many whale watching trips around the california coast but for years i have wanted to visit the whales breeding and birthing grounds. Wine tasting with credit for two or four at idle hour winery up to 35% off. The unique experience monterey bay whale watch provides is an onboard marine biologist. California state park ranger guided tours weekends in january and. A whale of a watching season the monterey bay is teeming with whales, especially blue whales, proving a boon for local whale watching businesses. In addition to the whales that migrate seasonally through the area, such as humpbacks, blue whales and gray whales, many other. An adult pacific gray whale can be 45 feet long and weigh up to 33 tons.
The common name of the whale comes from the gray patches and white. The satelliteacquired locations of 10 blue whales balaenoptera musculus tagged off southern california with argos radio tags were used to identify 1 their. The different whale watch boats communicate with each other so if one boat finds whales away you go. Their name is taken from the gray patches and white mottling on their dark skin. The channel islands national marine sanctuary is a beautiful place where 29 species of whales, dolphins and porpoises have been seen. Swim with dolphins in mexico, caribbean and jamaica at dolphin discovery up to 39% off. There were no significant longterm changes in blue whale, fin whale, humpback whale. From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. 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. Annual migration of the gray whale is currently underway. Watch the giant sperm whales in the deep waters off the spectacular coast of kaikoura.
Whale watching california coast gray whale blue humpback. The whaleplanner april a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Best of whale watching on the monterey bay as of 7. This state park is on the point loma peninsula, and has a glassenclosed observatory where you can watch for the whales throughout the decembermarch season. Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. Blue whales, humpback whales, leatherback sea turtle, common dolphin, rissos dolphin, orca.
Nancy and alisa have followed these orca families so long that they now have documented 4 generations. If you make it all the way south to chile, you have pretty good chances to meet the mighty blue whales around the. If youre here just for the sea kayaking, the best time to visit baja is the end of octearly dec, as well as marapr, as the wind drops and the sea of cortez is clear and calm. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic. Humpback whales occur in monterey bay area from late april to early december. Many of the tour operators have extensive knowledge of the whales and their migration habits and will happily share this information during the tour. The central california population of humpback whales migrates from their winter calving and mating areas off mexico to their summer and fall feeding areas off coastal california. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico.
The gray whale eschrichtius robustus, also known as the grey whale, gray back whale, pacific gray whale, or california gray whale, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. Newport landing whale watching offers year round whale watching cruises multiple times daily departing from beautiful newport bay in newport beach. Trends in cetacean density and distribution off southern california were assessed through visual linetransect. This blue whale all inclusive adventure begins when we meet you at the airport in loreto, baja california sur, mexico. The pacific coast is the perfect spot to do so, as some of the largest and most incredible sea mammals make their way to and through various spots of the coast of southern california during their migration seasons, often spotted feeding, playing, and even mating. Whale watching on the california coast california beaches. We are delighted to inform you about our fun, informative, and exciting blue and gray whale watching cruises. Whale watching charter boats that run between the ventura coast and the channel islands are practically guaranteed to be successful. Monterey bay whale watch is the leading nature tour provider in what is widely recognized. Monterey bay is the premier destination for whale watching all year. This website features sightings and news provided by observers at observation posts along the entire gray whale. Best time for whale watching in california condor express.
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. Welcome to harbor breezes california blue whale website. They are from 75100 feet long and weigh 100 to 150 tons. Whale watching on monterey bay is a onceinalifetime experience. Usually, well over whales are here during each season and, on some exceptional seasons, baja whale watching experts counted over. Beginning in january and running through the end of march, approximately 15,000 gray whales swim south from the icy waters of the arctic to mate and nurse their young in the warm, shallow lagoons along magdalena bay in. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. A gray whale and her calf seen from the point reyes headlands on april 29, 2017. The whole population of gray whales migrate past the big sur california coastline twice. If you are wondering what type of whales that you will see. The area is known to have one of the largest population dolphins and blue whales in the world. If youre looking to plan a whale watching trip in monterey. Whale watching california the central california guide.
Gray whale census and island packer cruises of venturaoxnard confirm numbers, plus sightings of. Record number of gray whale sightings this season news. From the far north to the mexican border, californias pristine waters play center stage to muchloved visitors such as humpbacks and orcas, as well as gray whales, who follow the entire coast on their yearly migration. With over a half dozen different types of whales and several varieties of dolphin, newport beach has become one of.
Whale watching in california pacific coast highway travel. Record variety of whales seen off southern california. In march, i found myself 450 miles 720 km south of the international border. Every year, thousands of gray whales travel between mexico and alaska, one of the longest known maritime migrations. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. Gray whales are one of the most commonlyseen whales along the california coast.
California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. The combination blue and gray whale trips involve whale watching on. Southern california whalewatching tours depart from most harbors along the coast. A great place for whale watching from land is at the cabrillo national monument. Off the coast of kaikoura lives a stable population of sperm whales. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale watching globally in 2008. February is peak month for both grey whales and visitors, and whale watching trips take place in magdalena bay and san ignacio lagoon. Whale watching in california come and experience californias yearround whale fest. There are two broad whalewatching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summerfall season for the other whales. Traditionally, whale watching season runs from december through april. Whale watching in monterey bay is the marine equivalent of going on a safari in africa. Included are most meals, lodging, transportation around town and of course the whale watching.
Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020. Offshore lies the gulf of the farallones protected by the greater farallones national marine sanctuary, which provides. Both have spent over 30 years studying the killer whales off the california coast, and know all the individuals and their family histories. Over the course of the tour, we saw at least a dozen more blue whales, gray whales, and humpbacks. Blue whale are less common along the california coast than grays, but are regularly seen. Whale watching in california is a beloved and unique experience for tourists and locals alike. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national. Alejandro zepedaepa gray whales have been late to migrate from the lagoons of mexico. Scammons is also the largest of the three whale watching lagoon. Vacation whale watching activities in california expedia.
Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Then they go on their long journey to feed in the rich feeding grounds of the north. Whale watching season overview the image takes you to san diego whale. However it is certainly possible to see whales from the shore if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. The gulf of the farallons national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. See allday whale watch trips in killer whale season for details. Scheduled on selected days during the summerfall season. Movements of north pacific blue whales during the feeding season. Despite mostly consisting of sand and cacti, the baja california is one of the best locations for whale watching in the whole world. The headlands of the point reyes peninsula offer one of the finest spots to view the gray whale along the california coast weather permitting. However, because blue whales and gray whales migrate at different times of the year, whale watching season. Betsy has been writing about california for nearly more than two decades as tripsavvys expert on the state. Southern california is no stranger to huge numbers of whales.
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