Whales coming into closer contact with human observers. Make sure the boat is coast guardcertified and look for operators that belong to the responsible whale. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020. Southern california is a wonderful place to see whales at their finest. Whale watchers spotting record numbers this season 89. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. During whale watching season in southern california, which takes place along the coast from santa barbara to san diego, youll find plenty of ways to see the migration. Despite mostly consisting of sand and cacti, the baja california is one of the best locations for whale watching in the whole world. Throughout the whale watching season, cabrillo whalewatch naturalists inform passengers about pacific gray whales and the variety of other marine life off southern california s coast. During peak season, december through march, 40 to 50 whales pass by dana point every day, making dana point harbor one of the best places to whale watch in southern california. For those interested in viewing gray whale whale season.
We had a fantastic time full of blows, flukes and even one breach. We are in the midst of another exciting gray whale migration. Southern california whalewatching tours depart from most harbors along the coast. If you make it all the way south to chile, you have pretty good chances to meet the mighty blue whales around the. First blue whale of the season spotted off southern. Thank you to dana wharf sportfishing and whale watching for sponsoring our day cruise. Mar 28, 2016 whale watching in baja california in january, we took a whale watching excursion around the southern end of the santa monica bay. Gray whale census and island packer cruises of venturaoxnard confirm numbers, plus sightings of orcas, great white sharks and many unusual. The best time for whale watching in california usa today. And an early sighting has ecotour operators hoping for a healthy blue whale season. Southern california in particular is known to have spectacular year round whale season, with a number of different species making an appearance at different points. Check the california whale migration season calendar and. Its too soon to tell if the early season sightings mean a healthy whale watching season. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic.
Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. Tickets whale watching cruise harbor breeze cruises. In the fall, the eastern pacific, or california, gray whale starts a 23 month, 8,00011,000 km or 6,835 miles trip south along the west coast of canada, the united states and mexico. The gray whale census, an official gray whale migration census that has been recording data on the migration of the pacific gray whale has been keeping track of the population of the pacific gray whale since 1985. Jan 27, 2011 at the aquarium of the pacific, michele sousa is excited. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. This is a unique opportunity to look for killer whales with the leading california killer whale experts. Whale watching on the california coast california beaches. Whale watching southern california newport landing whale watching southern california is a site that was created with residents and visitors in mind who are looking to go whale watching. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. Fortunately, whale watching season in southern california can include almost any time of the year if you know where to go.
Baleen and toothed whales performing their own version of west side story. Scheduled on selected days during the summerfall season. With over a half dozen different types of whales and several varieties of dolphin, newport beach has become one of the top whale watching destinations in the world. A record number of gray whales have been spotted along the california. Record variety of whales seen off southern california coast. A goal in our gray whales count survey is determining how many gray whales use the nearshore of the santa barbara channel on their northbound migration. In addition, during summer, blue, humpback and other whales can be seen. Gray whale season kicks off and southern california whale. Killer whale season in the monterey bay blue whales are typically seen may through october off the coast of southern california. All whale watching and harbor tour excursions are canceled until at least may 15th due to the safer at home order.
Gray whale migrations off of the pacific coast were observed, initially, by marineland of the pacific in palos verdes, california. The cabrillo whalewatch naturalists share facts and interesting information with passengers about pacific gray whales and a variety of other marine life spotted off southern california. I am not sure that there is a best place for taking a whale watching cruise. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. Book now to go whale watching in southern california. May 03, 2017 southern california is one of the best places in the world to spot gray whales and is arguably where whale watching ecotourism was born, diane alps of the american cetacean society acs. May 10, 2018 killer whale season in the monterey bay blue whales are typically seen may through october off the coast of southern california. Others have determined that through the southern california bightwhere we are countingthe whales travel a variety of routes.
Nearly half of the migrating gray whale population follows the coast of southern california, many come close to shore at dana point. People think whale watching season in california is limited to winter when pacific gray whales migrate from mexico to alaska and back. Whale watching season begins in baja california travel. A series of incredible whale sightings this week in southern california remarkably close to shore is delighting researchers and tourists alike. Whale watching in southern california huntington beach. Where to take a whale watching tour in southern california tours usually include a naturalist on board to help identify whales plus other wildlife such as. Which would you rather see in the wild, dolphins or whales. Whales of southern california earthwatch institute.
Check the california whale migration season calendar and schedule your cruise. Record number of gray whale sightings this season news. Whale watching expeditions leave from nearly every harbor in southern california. Lateseason storms slowly pulling southern california out. Mar 19, 2017 whale watching in southern california palos verdes peninsula whale watching watching whales near point vicente where to go to watch whales in so. Whale watching in california pacific coast highway travel. Watch the giant sperm whales in the deep waters off the spectacular coast of kaikoura. Special trips emphasizing killer whales take place in april and may. Whale watching in dana point book now at captain daves. Southern california whale watchers aboard captain daves dolphin and whale safaris catamaran sailboat in dana point. Fall giant blue whale watching blue whales, finback whales, much more fall whale watching is one of the best seasons for viewing the giant blue whales, as well as the second largest of all whales, the finback whale, off the southern california coast. May 29, 2015 record variety of whales seen off southern california coast this week.
In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. Both have spent over 30 years studying the killer whales off the california coast, and know all the individuals and their family histories. Whale watching california coast gray whale blue humpback. Newport landing whale watching offers year round whale watching cruises multiple times daily departing from beautiful newport bay in newport beach.
Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. So, i do not believe there is a best time of year to come out whale watching in southern california. Where to go whale watching in california socal field trips. Southern california we have cruises yearround, every day. Blue whale makes early appearance off southern california. Apr 09, 2015 record number of gray whale sightings this season l. Jan 10, 2014 whale watching tours map of watching locations. Nov 06, 2012 to book your own southern california whale and dolphin watching adventure, visit dana wharf sportfishing and whale watching. Its been an exciting season for whale watchers in southern california. Gray whale season kicks off and southern california whale lovers are ready to track them.
Trips depart at multiple intervals daily throughout the year providing tourists and locals of southern california with a great opportunity to view marine. Nancy and alisa have followed these orca families so long that they now have documented 4 generations. Dec 31, 2014 its being heralded as the best whale watching season ever in southern california, but what exactly does that mean. Two decades ago, it would have been big news if a blue whale was spotted along the southern california coastline. Most sightings happen from july to october and, as the whales tend to come very close to the coast, you can easily see them from land. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. Whale watching season begins in southern california. Off the coast of kaikoura lives a stable population of sperm whales. Thats why the zoologist mark carwardine heads there at this time every year. Baja california sur is one of the best world destinations to see whales.
Fall giant blue whale watching the official travel resource. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. 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. See allday whale watch trips in killer whale season for details. I think that the decision of which cruise to take would mostly depend on the weather and your proximity to one of the harbors during your trip. Fire season is a really tricky thing to predict, it really depends on how much wind we see in the fall and early winter months, bolt said. The graywhalewatching season in california varies along the coast during winter and spring as the grays migrate south to the mating and calving lagoons of mexico, then return north to feed mainly off alaska.
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