What is the best time for whale watching in Southern California?

We tend to see them here off the Orange County coast every January and June with other sightings randomly throughout the year. The Summer months are the best months to witness the world's largest animalthe BLUE WHALE! Southern California is the best place in the world to look for a Blue Whale as they seek

The peak season for gray whales in Southern California is from mid-December through mid-March, when they migrate south from Alaska to Baja California to breed and give birth. The best time to see them in Southern California is typically from January through March, as they begin their journey back north to Alaska.  Takedown request View complete answer on newportwhales.com

What time of year is best for whale watching in Southern California?

If you're interested in gray whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions, Turner suggests coming down to Southern California any time between January and April. For blue whales and finback whales, try May through September. And for minke whales, come October through December.  Takedown request View complete answer on travelandleisure.com

What months are best for whale watching in San Diego?

Blue whale season is in the summer, usually from May to August. But the best months to see whales in San Diego are mid-December to mid-March, when the gray whales migrate from Alaska to Mexico and back.  Takedown request View complete answer on everydaycalifornia.com

Are whales migrating now in Southern California?

The California gray whale migration begins each month in March when the whales leave their warm nursery lagoons in the south to head to their Arctic hunting grounds. If you're in California, you can see gray whales from a variety of places, including Santa Cruz, Monterey County, Los Angeles, and San Diego.  Takedown request View complete answer on kayakconnection.com

When can you see orcas in Southern California?

Killer Whale

We tend to see them here off the Orange County coast every January and June with other sightings randomly throughout the year.

 Takedown request View complete answer on orangecountyoutdoors.com

Beginner's guide to whale watching: California's huge whale migration

What time are whales most active in California?

If you're planning a whale-watching trip in California, you may wonder what time of day whales are most active. Whales are generally most active in the morning and late afternoon, making these the best times to spot them. During the morning, whales tend to be more active as they start their day and may feed.  Takedown request View complete answer on danawharf.com

Are there killer whales in Southern California?

Experts assumed the rare visit would be short since no killer whales are known to live permanently in Southern California. Four weeks later, however, they are still being spotted almost daily and appear to be thriving here.  Takedown request View complete answer on ktla.com

How close to shore do whales come?

It's very normal gray whale behavior. They sometimes come within 50 feet of the shore. People have been seeing humpbacks also near the pier close to shore.  Takedown request View complete answer on mercurynews.com

Where is the best place to whale watch?

Top Whale-Watching Destinations
  • Vancouver Island, British Columbia. ...
  • Virginia Beach. ...
  • Long Island, New York. ...
  • Cape May, New Jersey. ...
  • Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. ...
  • Coastal Waters off Florida. ...
  • Bar Harbor, Maine. ...
  • Provincetown, Massachusetts.
 Takedown request View complete answer on travelchannel.com

What is killing whales in California?

Each year, close to 100 whales are hit and killed by ships along the West Coast – many of them near San Francisco. A 2021 study estimated that 10 whales are killed by ships in the Bay Area every year between May and September alone. For every whale that washes up on shore, at least 10 other bodies are never recovered.  Takedown request View complete answer on mercurynews.com

Is it better to see whales in the morning or afternoon?

Optimal Lighting: The morning light can be favorable for whale watching, as it provides good visibility and reduces glare on the water's surface. This can enhance your ability to spot whale spouts, breaches, or other surface behaviors.  Takedown request View complete answer on newportwhales.com

What is the best month to go whale watching?

Summer Whale Watching (June, July, August):

The Summer months are the best months to witness the world's largest animal…the BLUE WHALE! 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.

 Takedown request View complete answer on daveyslocker.com

What month do whales migrate in California?

Gray Whale Migration Timeline

Gray whales can be seen passing by California in December and January during their southern migration, and again between mid-February and early May on their journey north.

 Takedown request View complete answer on marinemammalcenter.org

What is the best month to go whale watching in Santa Barbara?

During February, March and early April you can see California Grey Whales. From May to September you can see Blue Whales, Minke Whales and Humpback Whales. Occasionally, you can see Right Whales or Orcas. All season long you have an excellent chance of seeing dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions.  Takedown request View complete answer on santabarbara.com

Can you see whales in Santa Monica?

You may not know that whale watching near Santa Monica presents visitors with an ever-changing spectrum of experiences. There is not just a single type of whale that appears in the waters of the region. Instead, Santa Monica whale watching visitors can experience several different whale migrations throughout the year.  Takedown request View complete answer on newportwhales.com

Are whales migrating now in California?

Migrating gray whales, dolphins and killer whales can be seen from mid-December through mid-April. There are also opportunities to see blue whales, humpbacks, and other whale species outside the migration season.  Takedown request View complete answer on rove.me

What is the whale watching capital of the world?

Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari have joined forces to let the world know that Dana Point is the Dolphin & Whale Capital of the World®.  Takedown request View complete answer on visitlagunabeach.com

Is it worth it to go whale watching?

You may see something you may never see anywhere else!

Is whale watching worth it in Southern California? You bet! Dana Point is home to some of the best whale watching in the world. There are more whale and dolphin species right here in our waters than anywhere else!

 Takedown request View complete answer on dolphinsafari.com

When can you see whales in Big Sur?

WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE GRAY WHALES: Gray whales can be seen from the highway turnouts in Big Sur from December through April. December to early February the California Gray Whales are migrating south. Beginning in February you begin seeing whales migrating back to Alaska with their newborn babies by their sides.  Takedown request View complete answer on bigsurcalifornia.org

What time of day do whales come out?

One of the reasons that the morning time is the best time of day for whale watching has to do with weather and ocean conditions. The wind is a key player when it comes to smooth seas, and morning trips often have less wind.  Takedown request View complete answer on dolphinsafari.com

Do whales come into Monterey Bay?

Monterey Bay is a year-round whale watching destination due to the incredible depth of the Monterey Bay Canyon, which provides an amazing habitat for many whale species to come close to shore to feed.  Takedown request View complete answer on seemonterey.com

Can you see whales from shore in Monterey?

You can watch whales from the land along the Monterey coast, but the best places for that aren't on the shores of the bay. Instead, they are south of Carmel along the coast. Try Point Lobos State Reserve where they pass close to Pinnacle Point, which you can reach by taking the Cypress Grove Trail.  Takedown request View complete answer on tripsavvy.com

What is the most common whale in Southern California?

The Gray Whale, a baleen whale, is one of the most common whales found in the Southern California Bight. These magnificent creatures migrate every year from their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea to their breeding grounds in the warm waters of Baja California, Mexico.  Takedown request View complete answer on malibudivers.com

Can you see blue whales in Southern California?

The only place to see them is in the wild. And Dana Point, California, is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. During the summer months there are more blue whales off our coast than anywhere else in the world. Blue whale watching in Southern California is typically May through October.  Takedown request View complete answer on dolphinsafari.com

What rare whales are spotted in California?

Cuvier's beaked whales are mysterious creatures that can dive deep and spend several hours underwater at a time. They rarely surface—and when they do, it's just for a few minutes to catch their breath before plunging back down.  Takedown request View complete answer on smithsonianmag.com

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