Is whale watching in san diego worth it this time of year. This is where i ended up going, and you can read more about the experience below. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. 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. 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. 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. Where to see blue whales in california blue whales feed off the california coast between bodega bay and san diego. 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.
San diego a good place see oceanfaring mammals at their finest. The best time is during the annual migration of gray whales, december through april, though whales visit these waters year round. Mar 24, 2018 6 ways to watch gray whales migrate north, passing southern california on their trek to alaska. Best places for whale watching from shore in southern. The season doesnt matter so much, as whales can be spotted here at any time of. For more information on whale watching in san diego, california, view one of the articles or visit one of the tour operators below. Piers can be good too, but they are not very high above the waterline. With record numbers of whales being spotted up and down the coast, now is the ideal time to embark on a whale watching adventure. The best time to go whale watching in monterey bay, california. Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. These whales feed off southern california on small crustaceans, krill, by a method of straining the water they take into their huge mouths. 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. Blue whales average 100 feet in length and 100 tons, this is the size of a boeing 737 jet.
These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. Blue whales feed off the california coast between bodega bay and san diego. Southern california offers numerous spots where you can go whale watching from shore. During this time you can see them breaching and spouting not far from shore.
There have also been rare glimpses of pygmy sperm, pilot, killer, false. But theres something special about seeing an animal in its natural habitat. 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. Blue whale tangled in line prompts search along southern. 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. Whale watching southern california is a site that was created with residents and visitors in mind who are looking to go whale watching. You may download the appchoices app at to opt out in. Be safe, and ask the rangers questions when you arrive. Bring along some binoculars for the best view, although in some cases you can view whales with the naked eye. The california gray whale or california grey whale eschrichtius robustus is a whale that travels between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. When choosing a dolphin and whale watching company, be sure to choose an experience with an official dana point whale watching company.
Southern california whalewatching tours depart from most harbors along the coast. Whale watching in dana point book now at captain daves. 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. May to october you might see blue whales, which can grow more than 100 feet long. Betsy has been writing about california for nearly more than two decades as tripsavvys expert on the state. Dec 25, 20 one of my very favorite things to do is to go whale watching. Blue whales swim and feed off the california coast from midjune through october when krill is abundant. 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. 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. Private boat rentals limited time special rates book online.
The best time for whale watching in california daveys locker. What a great week this has been for wonderful weather. Some of the warmest water temps of the year makes this the best month for the mega pods of dolphin unique to southern california. While whales frequent the area waters throughout the year, there are specific seasons for individual species.
So, i do not believe there is a best time of year to come out whale watching in southern california. February is also a good time to see the big whales around the baja california, mexico. Touchdown in san francisco on sep 1st and travel highway 1 down to san diego over 2 weeks. The best places for whale watching in california visit california. 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. 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. Faqs book a dolphin and whale watching tour with capt dave. Whale watching in newport beach visit newport beach. The summer months are the best months to witness the worlds largest animalthe blue whale. Humpback whales and blue whales migrate during the summer months, from early june to late september. 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.
Southern california whale watching gray whales goin. Find the best places to see whales in san diego and the best times to go whale. With a large kelp forest just offshore that attracts the oceangoing. First time whale watching in california ive wanted to go whale watching since i was a kid. Best tips for san diego whale watching when to see them travel. The best time to go whale watching in monterey is middecember through. My husband and kids would love to go whale watching and i have seen plenty of companies offering these tours. Download some of our favorite birding apps, and then start looking up.
Here is our list of the top whale watching spots in southern california. The warm waters right out of dana point harbor are flourishing with sea life including whales, dolphins, harbor seals, and california sea lions. We opted for 9 oclock and saw a cow, her calf and a bull trying to court her. Ocean temperatures are warmer from may through november and feature more blue whales, finback whales and humpback whales, along with killer whales, huge pods of dolphins, seals, sea lions, sea otters and many other marine mammals. Any recommendations for daytime activities on huntington beach would be. Exploring the eastern pacific ocean in search of the gray whale along its migratory route between alaska and baja, mexico. The best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. When is the best time to go whale watching in the bay area. Whale watching in southern california huntington beach. The waters just outside newport bay at newport beach are considered some of the most fertile in california. Daves is located on the waterfront in dana point harbor, and is an official dana point whale watching company. Whale watching in california pacific coast highway travel. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. The point vicente interpretive center in rancho palos verdes is where the l.
Looking for the best places to go whale watching in california. Blue whales are regularly found and a half dozen or more whales can be located in same area feeding on krill. While gray whales get the spotlight along the california coast, other. Best places for whale watching from shore in southern california. The official humpback season in costa rica is december to march and. 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.
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. Whale watching cruises are available from most of the. Southern californias diverse coastline is a picturesque backdrop for a family day trip out on. Coast guard certified for 26, we limit the trips to 20 because we know you love extra elbow room. Whale watching is a growing activity that everyone should try. The best time to go whale watching in monterey is middecember through midapril gray whales, dolphins, and orcas or.
Gray whales are migrating along californias coast right now. In the winter, you can watch migrating gray whales make their way between alaska and mexico. Many species of whales can be seen off the coast of california yearround, but especially during the winter and summer migratory seasons. The whaleplanner february a whale watching infographic. Great looks were had by all as dave and crew kept the whales at a safe distance alongside the condor express, matching their speed. According to the birch aquarium in san diego, gray whales generally travel. Dolphin watching and whale watching excursions are magical experiences. Live eat play calendar of events visit advertise with us. Whale watching in southern california how was your day. Where would people recommend and what are our chances of seeing a whale in september. Southern california we have cruises yearround, every day. Or go even further south to watch the blue whales and southern right whales off the coast of victoria.
March is the best time, as the newborn seals gather at the beach in high numbers. Zoos, animal parks and theme parks like seaworld are all great places for families to learn about the animal kingdom. 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. Why is the whale watching so good off newport beach. Best whale watching in southern california condor express. 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. Because of my obsession, we used to go on one of the fantastic whale watching tours each year. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. Apr 29, 2019 the best time to see humpback whales in costa rica is august and september. You will not get as up close as a whale watching but you dont need to worry about getting seasick. Southern california whale watching newport beach cruises.
Manutea, 50ft catamaran and lily 62ft catamaran are u. Bring along some binoculars for the best view, although in. Giant blue whales were once considered quite rare off southern california, but over the last ten years. Southern california whale watchers can view these giants during the summer months. Thats when several hundred blue whales migrate into southern california. Pacific gray whales off the coast of san diego, california.
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. Whats more exciting than watching a giant humpback whale come within a few feet of your boat. The best places to see them from are viewpoints that are high on bluffs especially at points that stick out into the ocean. Monterey bay is californias hub for all things aquatic. In fact, during whale watching season in san diego, youll find plenty of ways to see the migration. Photo courtesy of newport landing whale watching the best places to go whale watching in california balboanewport beach. At that time, thousands of them can be found off the california coast. 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.
Along with the traditional grey whale migration from december through april, the appearance of huge numbers of giant blue whales during the. 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. 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. Jan 26, 2018 the best time to go whale watchingshort answer.
You can see whales all along the pacific coast of costa rica during those months. 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. The wonders of whale watching in california california. These adult animals weigh about 40 tons and average 50 feet in length. Whalewatching cruises are available from most of the. The height of the southern california whale watching season is the annual california gray whale migration, from december through april. One year of whale watching in just one infographic. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. This article first appeared in the 2018 california visitors guide. In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. 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. 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. Find a place to stay book online or call 18003506205 to speak with a local expert.
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. Capt dave had 3 nice gray whales today under ideal summerlike conditions. 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. Monterey whale watching the best time of year to take a tour.
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