Whalewatching tours by boat boat tours to view whales are available from the larger harbor towns along the northern california coast, from santa cruz to san francisco on up to eureka and crescent city. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and gray whales, this is a trip you will never forget. The wonders of whale watching in california california. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. Monterey bay is one of the best places for whale watching, whether youre on the water or viewing from the coast.
The california coast is home to a diverse array of marine mammal and bird species, with many easy access points for viewing tours. The whole population of gray whales migrate past the big sur california coastline twice a year. Whale watching on the lost coast and at shelter cove, california is a big activity. Offshore lies the gulf of the farallones protected by the greater farallones national marine sanctuary, which provides. The gray whale migration in california and beyondthe california coast is an outstanding place to see gray whales, eschrichtius robustus, during their annual migration between feeding and breeding areas. Home santa cruz whale watching by stagnaro charters. Gray whales, the animal that started the whale watching phenomenon in dana point, can be seen migrating along our coast now through may. In 1991, there were more than 50 companies or nonprofit societies operating whale watching tours from some 20 ports all along the california coast. Led by expert naturalists, full and half day boat tours are available almost every weekend, with opportunities to see blue, humpback, and gray whales, dolphins and porpoises, seals and sea lions, rare seabirds, and other marine life up close. 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. Each winter, an estimated 20,000 gray whales travel the 6,000 miles from the chilly waters of alaska to the balmy bays of mexico. Search for humpback and gray whales along with more abundant porpoises, dolphins, and harbor seals while learning about the unique history and geology of the area from a professional naturalist on board. Noyo harbor features several charter boats that offer sport fishing adventures, whale watching tours and party charter boats.
Then from december through april, over 20,000 gray whales pass through our waters off of monterey bay. This article first appeared in the 2018 california visitors guide. It was mostly gray whales on their way north that were watched. This is a great time of year to look for orca hunting activity in our area, too. You go whale watching almost anywhere along the california coast. Take a sightseeing cruise across san francisco bay and glide under the golden gate bridge on this 2. Meet our whale watching vessel, the salty lady, in the morning in either san francisco or sausalito and join an 8hour whale and bird watching cruise to the farallon islands guided by one of our expert local naturalists. The lofoten and vesteralen islands in northern norway are among the most spectacular places in the world. Join us on a whale watching trip from san francisco or half moon bay. Whale watching in california pacific coast highway travel. Winter whale and elephant seal watching at point reyes.
California s coast is a great place to observe this massive migration. Middecember to february, march to june oregon features sprawling coastlines that beckon to whale watchers. Their name is taken from the gray patches and white mottling on their dark skin. Not as many whales as the open water tour, but this tour features the calmer waters of the monterey bay off santa cruz cove. Whale watching orange county book safaris with capt dave. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile9,656km journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. A variety of dolphin species, including rissos dolphin and killer whales, may also be. You may also enjoy northern california whale watching with a glass of wine in the whale watch room or.
Recent sightings santa cruz whale watching by stagnaro. Whale watching shelter cove, california on the lost coast. The new year always heralds the start of whale watching season on northern california s coast. Look for a little red building out at the end of pier 2 at monterey, california s old fishermans wharf. California whale adventures offer year round whale watching tours out of san francisco s fishermans wharf. Here are trekaroos top picks forgetting up close and personal with a whale from a boat. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. In summer chances are pretty good to see humpbacks, belugas, finbacks and blue whales. 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.
Humpbacks and finbacks can be seen quite often, too. Hornblower runs whale watching trips and bay cruises out of san diego. Whale watching in northern california and oregon via. Annual migration of the gray whale is currently underway. Gray whales, orcas, humpbacks, minke, finback, and blue whales migrate off the california coast throughout the year, so youre sure to spot at least one species on a whale watching excursion. Hi, will be over in california for 2 weeks in the middle of march. The coastline sees annual migrations of blue, gray and humpback whales, and nearly yearround sightings of fin and minke whales.
Northern california is a great area for whale watching from a boat. Join us for an exciting marine mammal wildlife trip along the san francisco bay and the northern california coastline. The best places to go mendocino whale watching sea rock bed. Wheelchair accessible whale watching tours disability access. The graphic above shows the times of year that whales are usually seen along the california. They pass the coast of northern california from december to february and head back north march to may.
Tours last a little over three hours and depart from downtown san diego. The whale watching season half moon bay is the perfect spot for witnessing the journey of these spectacular creatures. Where to see blues, humpbacks and even sharks a humpback whale breaches about a mile off the coast. Sf bay whale watching provides whale watching and natural history expeditions from san francisco bay to the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary. Whale watching excursions in redondo beach, california usa. This is the time of year when california gray whales eschrichtius robustus pass by the coast on their annual southern migration, so start planning your winter trip out to point reyes national seashore to do some whale watching now the histproc point reyes lighthouse has recently. The festival opens in mendocino with the little river for the second week and the last one in fort bragg for the official fort bragg whale watching festival. My road trip across mendocino county to the spectacular northern california coast. Carlsbad whale watching deals in carlsbad, ca groupon. From the far north to the mexican border, california s 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. Winter and springyou can see coastal gray whales in late march and april out of san francisco and december through.
The waters bordering san francisco are a seasonal hotspot for whale migrations. With 19 sites and counting in california state, the whale trail provides access and best tips to viewing marine mammals. Use an online guide to find out about tour companies, seasons, and where to watch from land in the mostvisited locations. Santa cruz county, san mateo county, and san francisco countycity. Not to mention, its fun and pretty magical to escape to the coast during the winter months. Cruise on the pacific ocean in a sturdy boat with a professional crew, looking for gray whales as they migrate along the coast of north america. Things to look for include blowholes, plumes of wet air that shoot up into the air, and fluking as the whales tail rise from the water before they make a dive. Whale appreciation and environmental awareness are the themes of the day. California whale festivals see california vacation. Northern california whale watching at the whale watch inn. Here is an update on what we have been seeing lately on our whale watching tours with santa cruz whale watching.
Bring your binoculars and watch for their spouting. Offshore lies the gulf of the farallones protected by the greater farallones national marine sanctuary. San francisco whale tours, san francisco, california. Whale gulch, sinkyone wilderness state park, california vr panoramas from don bains 360degree panoramas of the northern california coast, coast ranges, and redwood highway. This is a diverse and brilliant wilderness area full of contrasts. Every fall and winter, about 20,000 gray whales make a long journey from the bering sea and alaska in the north to baja california, in the south. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. As everywhere along the coast of north america, whale watching focuses on migrating gray whales. Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. Once you complete your mendocino whale watching experience, head back to the luxurious comfort of sea rock inn. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. A worldclass whalewatching destination, baja california is home to over a dozen different whales, including curious gray whales of laguna san ignacio and earths largest inhabitants, blue whales.
The california gray whale or california grey whale eschrichtius robustus is a whale that travels between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national seashore. Gray whales are one of the most commonlyseen whales along the california coast. Whale and dolphin watching tour or sunset couples cruise from tailwalker sportfishing up to 67% off. Whale watching is a yearround activity in california, but during the spring, whales migrating north for the warmer months provide unique opportunities for viewing these giant creatures. Their migration starts in the arctic ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of mexico. Cruise past iconic landmarks aboard a coast guardcertified. In addition to whale watching, you can also go hiking or view tide pools. Thanks to a moratorium on whaling and other multinational protections, the eastern pacific population of the gray whale is thriving with around 26,000 individuals, and a. Whale watching and nature cruise for one or two from marina del rey sportfishing up to 55% off. Migrating gray whales are the species seen most often in northern california. The locals and tourist alike go to the headlands, the bluffs and beaches to see the great mammoth beasts that cruise the waters along this california coast. The oregon parks and recreation whale watching center on depoe bay, about 160 kilometers southeast of portland, is a great place to see gray whales making their biyearly migrations between alaska and mexico.
Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national. Mendocino coast is a premier whalewatching spot in california, offering many opportunities to observe these giant mammals every morning during migration season. Eschrichtius robustus migrates past the big sur coastline from november to april either going to mexico or alaska. Did you know that the best time to spot whales in northern california is from november through february. There are no organized whale watching services such as guided tours, or charter boats. You may also enjoy northern california whale watching with a glass of wine in the whale watch room or take a local boat excursion. Gene mace and his wife were out in monterey bay when he noticed a man had been. The whaleplanner july a whale watching infographic. The waters surrounding san francisco and the gulf of the farallones offer a variety of marine life viewing opportunities. Immerse yourself in endless wildlife experiences on searcher natural history tours signature 12day itinerary to baja california, mexico. Best whale watching spots along the northern california coast. Now is the time for summer whale and even sharkwatching. Listed below are the best places to watch whales from the shore in southern california.
These whales travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. Ive broken down the list of whale watching spots along the northern california coast into three main regions. Giants migrate along the sonoma coast at bodega bay the epic migration of whales peaks from january through may, but is visible during much of the year. To book your adventure or for more information give us a call at 7079648770, send us an email or please visit our rates and reservations page. The california gray whale makes the most spectacular and the longest mass migration of any marine mammal. An adult pacific gray whale can be 45 feet long and weigh up to 33 tons. The farallon islands, just 27 miles off san francisco, lie amid the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary, a food. The pacific coast has some of the best places for whale watchingyou dont even have to leave land. The headlands of the point reyes peninsula offer one of the finest spots to view the gray whale along the california coast weather permitting. The best places for whale watching in northern california. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Some southern california whale watching tours only offer discounts for weekday trips. Offshore lies the gulf of the farallones protected by the greater farallones national marine sanctuary, which provides a 32kilometer 20mile wide highway along which the whales cruise. Point cabrillo point cabrillo light station whale festival march 78 and march 2122, 2020 fort bragg joins in the mendocino coast celebration of whale festival.
The focus of the expedition is a search for the majestic giants of the oceanswhales including the blue, gray and humpback whales. These 6 spots in northern california are the best places for whale watching this season. San francisco whale tours offers exciting adventures from the san francisco bay to the pacific ocean and into the protected sanctuary of the farallon islands. Fishing charters and whale watching charters in eureka, humboldt county, california. Heres the lowdown on the best places for whale watching in california. Gray whale watching half moon bay, california oceanic. Whaletrips california the best tips for whale watching in. Fishing charters and whale watching charters in eureka. In this article, discover the five best destinations for whale watching in california. I got my swim trunks and my flippiefloppies obscure snl reference. Whale watching california coast gray whale blue humpback. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. Optimum viewing months are septemberjanuary and marchjune. The grey whales in the bay here are often younger whales that have stopped to rest or feed during their 6000 mile migration from mexico to alaska.
Each year gray and blue whales travel south from the chukchi sea near alaska and down to baja california for winter, then back north for the summer feeding season. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. Whale watching is possible from any hotel room at the whale watch inn during the migration of these gentle giants from the bering sea to baha, california. Whale watching in california come and experience california s yearround whale fest. Betsy has been writing about california for nearly more than two decades as tripsavvys expert on the state. Humpback whales, blue whales, and gray whales have all been spotted here. 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. My husband and kids would love to go whale watching and i have seen plenty of companies offering these tours. May 29, 2017 gene mace captured the moment a kayaker was attacked by a great white shark in monterey bay, california, on march 18. California is undoubtedly one of the worlds best places for whale watching. Imagine the five to six days that you will be able to experience and learn about the outstanding baja peninsula. Enjoy a scenic cruise of san franciscos beautiful coastline and the fantastic wildlife of the bay area. Whale migration bodega bay the official bodega bay area. Whales watching and wildlife cruise, gulf of california.
Explore the sites using the interactive map below or click the button to find a filterable listing of sites, amenities, and commonly seen marine mammals. The impact of whale watching thus is spread out along the entire 840mile coast. Yearround monterey bay along california s central coast is famous for its artsy culture and its whale watching opportunities. Vacation whale watching activities in california expedia. Liz love of the monterey bay national marine sanctuary says the lighthouse point, also known as point santa cruz, is a great place to see whales from the shore. Contact us with your group size and wed be more than happy to provide you a quote. Whale watching has a long tradition in california with the first tours taking place in the 1950ies. Great white shark attacks kayaker in monterey bay, california. Whaletrips california the best tips for whale watching. The whales get so close to the shore that no boat ride is. Northern california whale watching adventures from sea. The best places to whale watch in the bay area sfgate.
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 in northern california starts earlier and ends later than it does further south. Of wheelchairs and whale watching in monterey bay, california, usa. Jan 26, 2020 celebrate the california gray whale and their successful return from the brink of extinction. The telstar offers 2 hour whale watching excursions. Baja whale watching tours may get you close enough to touch.
San diego provides the perfect launching point for a whalewatching tour in california. See views of the golden gate bridge, whales, porpoise, and more. It receives a fair share of visitors each year because of its laidback atmosphere, familyfriendly. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet, and also relatively easy for humans to witness, especially if. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet.
Between march and june, these spectacular mammals return to their northern waters. Whale watching is easy from big sur roadside turnouts. Enjoy the beauty of the ocean with a relaxing ocean sightseeing and whale watching charter. The oceanic society offers full and halfday guided tours to the farallon islands, and san francisco whale tours provides whale watching adventures yearround. Join us aboard an exciting marine mammal wildlife trip along the san francisco bay and the northern california coastline. Best places for whale watching from shore in southern california. California a guide to whale watching tours, conservation. A gray whale and her calf seen from the point reyes headlands on april 29, 2017. Their migration starts in the arctic ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of.
The humpback whale is the most common whale found out of santa cruz, seen usually from april through november. Southern california whalewatching tours depart from most harbors along the coast. Top places for whale watching in california visit california. Sf bay whale watching whale watching tours in san francisco. By scott rains, resident scholar, center for cultural studies, university of california santa cruz, usa. Jan feb explore uninhabited islands and seas rich with whales and other marine life in the gulf of california as you cruise all the way to lands end at the tip of baja. Whales can be observed all year round and in summer, all four seasons can be experienced at only one day. Best whale watching from northern california trails. The central coast of california offers a lot more whale watching possibilities. The southern migratory season is september january as the whales make their way to baja. There are more than 20 tour operators and more than 20 designated places for sightings from the mainland.
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