California has got everything, including very good whalewatching locations. My first video of whales off the coast of pacifica, ca. You may also enjoy northern california whale watching with a glass of wine in the whale watch room or take a local boat excursion. The gray whales of california are a different story. However, there has been a lot of activity lately in. Their average swimming speed is around 26 kmh 16 mph but they can reach speeds of up to 3040 kmh 1925 mph. Offshore lies the gulf of the farallones protected by the greater farallones national marine sanctuary, which provides. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. 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 reopened after an.
Whale watching perhaps obviously specializes in both fishing and whale watching tours. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national seashore. Nov 10, 2016 these 6 spots in northern california are the best places for whale watching this season. Whale migration along the mendocino coast mendocino fun. The whale watch inn is a romantic northern california hotel in mendocino county.
Many people plan special excursions specifically to go whale watching. Rare video and photos show orcas catching a sea lion off the. Whale watching join us on a whale watching trip from san francisco or half moon bay. Mendocino whale watching boats offer whale watching tours during the whale s migration past the mendocino coast. Annual migration of the gray whale is currently underway. Summer west winds subside in the fall making for perfect ocean conditions to go along with large numbers of whales present, making for outstanding whale watching conditions. After a brief respite in baja where the babies are born, the whales return back to their northern territory. Gray whales are one of the most commonlyseen whales along the california coast.
Peter winchnoaa san francisco ap dozens of whales are frolicking off northern californias coast in a feast for the eyes that. March and april is prime whale watching season here in northern california. Around the world, other whales like the sperm whale are endangered. A dozen whales washed up on northern california shores in the spring of 2015. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020. We were all professional whale watchers, we were all awestruck, lawler said. 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. Not to mention, its fun and pretty magical to escape to the coast during the winter months. Join us on a whale watching trip from san francisco or half moon bay. Farallon islands whale watching from san francisco. New zealand in new zealand, you can meet sperm whales and dolphins, a wide range of unbelievably spectacular landscapes included. Whale watching california coast gray whale blue humpback. Did you know that the best time to spot whales in northern california is from november through february.
Brydes whales can be seen off the south african coast year round, albeit further out. The whales of monterey bay santa cruz whale watching by. Due to covid19, we are delaying the start of our farallon islands whale watching season until june 6th, 2020. 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. Whale watching monterey bay california the whales of monterey bay. California bill would ban orca shows at seaworld cnn. Fall giant blue whale watching the official travel. 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. Whale watching in california pacific coast highway travel. Two to five throat creases which allow for limited expansion of their throats during feeding. The whales, of various species and ages, were found along nearly 300 miles of coastline. Sparse hairs are found on the rostrum, especially in young whales. Mendocino countys coast is uniquely formed to invite the whales to swim in close, making it an ideal locale for whale watching right from the balcony or hot tub of your hotel.
Whale watching season in northern california starts earlier and ends later than it does further south. Orcas and minke whales are in residence in any season, but its the blue june october, humpback aprildecember, and california gray. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and. A pod of killer whales appears to charge at blue whale off the coast of monterey, california, in a rare encounter captured by a drone camera on may 18. Their name is taken from the gray patches and white mottling on their dark skin. They are classified in the family balaenidae with the bowhead whale.
The number of gray whale sightings in december doubled from the same month in 2012. Whales washed ashore on northern california beaches. Migrating gray whales are the species seen most often in northern california. The santa cruz wharf da timeseries rmk was supported by the central and northern california ocean observing system noaa. 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. 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. Thus, the two northern right whale species are the most endangered of all large whales and two of the most endangered animal species in.
From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. Season the peak whale watching season along the south african coast is from july through october when the southern right whale is resident along the cape south coast and humpback whales frequent the waters off the elephant coast in kawzulu natal. The whale watch inn in northern california is perfect for. Examples summaries of selected killer whale season all day trips in previous years. Their migration starts in the arctic ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of mexico. Whales off the coast of northern california may 2016 youtube. Thousands of humpbacks gather in the warm waters to mate and give birth. 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. Rare video and photos show orcas catching a sea lion off the southern california coast. Northern california whale watching at the whale watch inn. Just download the hbo now or hbo go app, and youll be able to bypass any prompts asking you to start a free trial.
Daveis dolphin and whale safari shows a gray whale entangled in netting in the waters off the coast of southern california april 17, 2012. Its the one time of year where we can observe one of the greatest sights in the country. Please consult government travel advisories before booking. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. Mendocino whale watching boats offer whale watching tours during the whales migration past the mendocino coast. Ecological correlates of blue whale movement behavior and its. Should we need to make further changes to our schedule, all bookings for cancelled trips will be either fully refunded or. Download the pacific gray whales resource newsletter for more information. These 6 spots in northern california are the best places for whale watching this season. The summer months are the best times to see humpback whales and blue whales, which are attracted by abundant krill. Humpback whale song occurrence reflects ecosystem variability in. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico.
The whaleplanner november a whale watching infographic. Model estimates showed widespread high ars likelihood above 0. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. None, except for girardeau in northern california, had ever witnessed an orca feed on a sea lion. 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. A dead whale washed ashore a beach in northern california earlier this week, making it the third whale to wash ashore in the past week and the fifth time since march. The range of northern resident killer whales includes coastal waters between southeastern alaska and northern california. Northern california hotel on the beach whale watch inn. Looking for the best places to go whale watching in california.
Engaging in the longest migration of any mammal, the california gray whale eschrichtius. 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. Right whales have rotund bodies with arching rostrums, vshaped blowholes and dark gray or black skin. A humpback whale near the farallon islands on june 20, 2015. The skipper and owner of the boat wacky jacky is captain jacqueline douglas. Yes, whale watching season is winter when they are traveling south and spring when they are coming back up with their babies. They are most often found along the inner coast but have also been observed off the west coasts of oregon, washington, vancouver island, haida gwaii, and southeastern alaska. The orca sighting is part of a recordsetting season so far for whales in the pacific. The new year always heralds the start of whalewatching season on northern californias coast. The gray whale is a baleen whale and has approximately 300 plates of creamcolored baleen hanging from its upper jaw. The whale was discovered on bolinas beach near point reyes national seashore on tuesday and scientists from the marine mammal center plan to perform a necropsy on it soon to.
Three dead whales wash ashore northern california beaches. But summer offers a chance to see other kinds of whales blues and humpbacks and this year sharks too. California gray whales migrate south from alaska to baja california during the months of november through february and return north during the months of february through april. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. Mar 20, 2018 march and april is prime whale watching season here in northern california. Droves of gray whales swimming along california coast cbs news. Killer whales charge toward blue whale off california coast. Visit our wine country bed and breakfast for your vacation getaway.
Whale watching in northern california and oregon via. Check the whale watching calendar in the guide to when to guide to whales and dolphins in california. The headlands of the point reyes peninsula offer one of the finest spots to view the gray whale along the california coast weather permitting. Winter whale and elephant seal watching at point reyes. A gray whale and her calf seen from the point reyes headlands on april 29, 2017. Check the california whale migration season calendar and schedule your cruise. Jan 26, 2018 rare video and photos show orcas catching a sea lion off the southern california coast.
The most beautiful beaches, the wildest coastlines and the most beautiful parks. Mendocino whale watching on mendocino coast fishing charter boats. Droves of gray whales swimming along california coast. Mendocino whale watching on mendocino coast fishing. Starting from december until midmay, orange county whale watchers can see gray whales during their migration and might even see some newborn gray whale calves with their moms. A larger western population of 100200 appears to be surviving in the sea of okhotsk, but very little is known about this population. Northern right whale dolphins are encountered fairly often by responsible whale watching companies operating off monterey. Whale migration along the mendocino coast every year, over 20,000 california gray whales make their way south from alaska and the bering sea down to their breeding grounds in baja california. May 06, 2012 this image provided april 17, 2012, by capt. Whales washed ashore on northern california beaches science. Right whales or black whales are three species of large baleen whales of the genus eubalaena. 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.
Aug 11, 2015 a dozen whales washed up on northern california shores in the spring of 2015. San francisco whale watching is ready to take you out of san franciscos golden gate in search of several species of whales and other marine life of the california coast and the pacific ocean. Three dead whales wash ashore northern california beaches in. Visitors are invited to see these giants and experience unique lodging destinations, gourmet food, wine and more in this relatively undiscovered travel destination just a few hours from san francisco. Rare video and photos show orcas catching a sea lion off. Upon downloading, youll be able to stream a number of shows including. However, there has been a lot of activity lately in monterey bayunusual activity. From bodega bay north, highway 101 tightly hugs the shoreline and provides many handy pullouts.
Grey whale california gray whales travel from the cold arctic waters of the bering and chukchi seas, where they feed in the summer, all the way down to baja mexico, where they give birth and breed during the winter. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national. An adult pacific gray whale can be 45 feet long and weigh up to 33 tons. Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip. However it is certainly possible to see whales from the shore if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again.
Their northern migration tends to be more social and leisurely. Enjoy the norwegian and icelandic winter and combine whale watching orcas, humpbacks and fin whales. Fall giant blue whale watching the official travel resource. The whale watching season half moon bay is the perfect spot for witnessing the journey of these spectacular creatures. Dozens of whales are gathering around one part of the. Gray whale season typically runs from late december until midapril, when these 50foot leviathans are making their annual migration from the bering sea to mexico and back again. Here are our picks plus photos from a whale watching trip in monterey bay. 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. Start your whale watching year with ease why not visit hawaii. One of northern california s best kept naturalists secrets.
226 585 900 1239 301 773 1483 912 171 107 754 1061 187 460 807 190 57 959 28 463 1319 617 1301 1316 1321 1506 35 441 416 1242 437 1495 126