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. Interannual and seasonal trends in cetacean distribution, density. The season itself runs from middecember through april with migrating gray whales being the most common species. The whaleplanner april a whale watching infographic whaletrips. Top places for whale watching in california monterey whale watching tours. 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. Come and experience californias yearround whale fest. Although killer whales have a decent population, this species in particular can be a bit more challenging to pinpoint, because they are more diversely spread out geographically.
Blue whales are typically seen may through october off the coast of southern california. West coast to feed on krill, a very small shrimplike. There have also been rare glimpses of pygmy sperm, pilot, killer, false killer, cuviers beaked. Southern california whalewatching tours depart from most harbors along the coast. Many species of whales can be seen off the coast of california yearround, but especially during the winter and summer migratory seasons. First blue whale of the season spotted off southern. Vacation whale watching activities in california expedia. 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.
Killer whale season in the monterey bay blue whales are typically seen may through october off the coast of southern california. Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. As a result, you might only catch them off the coast of socal on occasion, and it could happen any season. From the far north to the mexican border, californias 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.
To see a blue whale, wait until the spring and summer seasons. During whale watching season in southern california, which takes place along the coast from santa barbara to san diego, youll find plenty of. In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. Visit san diego from middecember to midmarch to see more than 25,000 california gray whales migrating from chilly alaskan waters south to warm waters in baja, california. With that being said, the best time to see killer whales in california is typically during the spring, between the months of february and may. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. Whale watching season overview the image takes you to san diego whale. There were no significant longterm changes in blue whale, fin whale, humpback whale. Trends in cetacean density and distribution off southern california were assessed through visual linetransect.
During grey whale season, typically from december through april, crew members will. Make sure the boat is coast guardcertified and look for operators that belong to the responsible whale. Giant blue whales were once considered quite rare off southern california, but over the last ten years this has changed dramatically with hundreds of giant blue. Movements of north pacific blue whales during the feeding season.
Thats when several hundred blue whales migrate into southern california waters to feed on. Or go even further south to watch the blue whales and southern right whales off. 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. Where to go whale watching in california socal field trips. When is the best time to see killer whales in california. Another whale species you might see in the offseason is the humpback whale, whose adults range in length from 40 to 50 feet and often appear from april to june. Newport beach, ca whale watching is popular among visitors and locals. After spending time in warm baja california waters so their young can grow. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. The best time for whale watching in california usa today.