Starting early summer to mid fall a wide variety of baleen whales are viewed, like the humpback, finback, minke and blue whales. How to go whale watching in orange county share this. Launch from newport harbor and enjoy the spectacular experience of whale watching in southern california. If you want to whale watch, do it from dana point with dana wharf, the industry pioneers. Orange county coast, by erick and elisa mikiten, published by coast walk with. Whale watching off orange county from newport harbororange. You can watch whales almost anywhere along the california coast, any time of. It has a unique and diverse marine ecosystem and it is home to 34 species of mammals.
The reasons for orange countys lively whale scene are varied, and not always. See allday whale watch trips in killer whale season for details. Finback whale the second largest animal on earth, the finback whale can reach over 78 feet and 60 tons. From bodega bay north, highway 101 tightly hugs the shoreline and provides many handy pullouts. Four overlapping river plume grids in orange county, ca. Whale watching year round in orange county there are many gray whales being seen off our coasts right now. Betsy has been writing about california for nearly more than two decades as tripsavvys expert on the state. Whale watching california coast gray whale blue humpback. According to dana wharf, one of the most popular whale watching tour companies in orange county, this has been a record season for spotting whales with more than 549 sightings of gray whales alone. While whales frequent the area waters throughout the year, there are specific seasons for individual species. From december to marchapril they mate and give birth in the warm and shallow waters off the baja california, mexico. Whalewatching in baja california orange county register.
The area surrounding newport harbor offers deep, nutrient rich water that attracts all types of marine creatures including the blue whale which is over 80 feet in length during the summer and fall months, finback whales, grey whales during the winter and spring months, minke whales. Come join the excitement each year as we celebrate the return of the gray whales off our coast from december through april or see the blue whales which are here may through mid november. You go whale watching almost anywhere along the california coast. At the aquarium of the pacific, michele sousa is excited. Whale watching in monterey bay, california our wanders. The subreddit for the golden state of california for news and info on whats happening all across the state. Gray whales playing with dolphins off oc coast laguna nigueldana point, ca it was a beautiful day as two gray whales stopped to play with a pod of dolphins off the orange county coastline. How to go whale watching in orange county orange county. Check the california whale migration season calendar and. Scheduled on selected days during the summerfall season. San diego winter whale watching expedition cruise 2020. Yes, we recommend reserving in advance to ensure you get the time and date that you want.
Special trips emphasizing killer whales take place in april and may. May 29, 2015 record variety of whales seen off southern california coast this week. We offer a safe, fun and educational trip for everyone to enjoy. In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. 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. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again.
See magnificent california gray whales on their annual journey from the arctic to californias baja coast on a whale watching cruise from san diego. Come down to the historic old fishermans wharf on monterey bay, the nations largest marine sanctuary, and allow us to be your whale watching guides. Whales of every shape and size have been seen in the bay. Join island packers for yearround whale watching and view the beautiful wildlife in the east santa barbara channel. Faqs discovery whale watch monterey bay, santa cruz, san. Orca pod charges blue whale in californias monterey bay. Monterey bay humpback spike causes california whalewatching. Their name is taken from the gray patches and white mottling on their dark skin.
Best time for whale watching in california condor express. The graphic above shows the times of year that whales are usually seen along the california coast. Southern california whale watchers aboard captain daves dolphin. Indicators of climate change in california oehha ca. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. Newport bay is the closest bay to anaheim and the disneyland area, at only 20 minutes away.
There are three main species of whales that frequent the california central coast. Check the california whale migration season calendar and schedule your cruise. 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. The monterey bay national marine sanctuary is the largest us marine sanctuary with a shoreline length of 276 miles 444 km from just north of san franciscos golden gate bridge to cambria. Humpback sightings off california coast have been so stunning that even seasoned whale watchers are amazed. Droves of gray whales swimming along california coast. Newport landing whale watching offers whale watching cruises open to the general public viewing california grey whales, blue whales, all types of dolphins.
Whale watching on the california coast california beaches. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. The above icons indicate films that offer closed captioning or described sound. California grays, humpbacks, orcas, minke, fin and the mighty blue whales. Take a look at our california whale watching seasons and pricing information for your trip.
Seeing these amazing mammals upclose and personal is a must for any nature lover. Thousands of whales viewed each season and a beautiful coastline easily makes our location internationally. Rescuers work to free humpback whale from fishing line off. The orca or killer whale is an odontocete or toothed whale which is a misnomer because the killer whale is the largest member of the dolphin family. We are keen to do a trip but not sure where we are most likely to see whales we are travelling down the west coast last week may first. Use an online guide to find out about tour companies, seasons, and where to watch from land in the mostvisited locations.
With just a few weeks left in the prime whalewatching season, here are a few of the top orange county whale watching tours. This baleen whale can be found off southern california yearround but are most abundant in the summer and fall months. Record variety of whales seen off southern california coast this week. For a closer look, book a whale watching cruise with san diego whale watch. Southern california whale watching newport landing whale. Both have spent over 30 years studying the killer whales off the california coast, and know all the individuals and their family histories. Marine mammal occurrence and ocean climate off central california. Watch the giant sperm whales in the deep waters off the spectacular coast of kaikoura. Whale watching in sonoma county california is very popular because there are so many easily accessible prominent high points from which to watch for whales. It is hard to believe that such amazing whale watching is so close to the oc metropolitan area but it is true. The reasons for orange countys lively whale scene are varied, and not always fully understood, says jessica roame, marine education. Whale watching california there are plenty of opportunities for whale watching in central california and for seeing several different types of whales and dolphins nearly yearround. Daveys locker in the historic balboa pavilion famous orange county landmark next to the balboa funzone has over 40 years of history providing whale watching cruises. If you dont see a whale on the cruise, youll get a whale check to try again another time.
Gray whales are one of the most commonlyseen whales along the california coast. Record variety of whales seen off southern california coast. The brown pelican is the only bird to have all four toes including a hind toe. See whales playing with dolphins off orange county coast. 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. The orcas identified as the group ca51 were first spotted by harbor breeze cruises off palos verdes. Newport landing offers whale watching tours all year long. Monterey whale watching the best time of year to take a tour.
Then they go on their long journey to feed in the rich feeding grounds of the north. Winter chill has been declining in certain areas of the central valley. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020. In addition, during summer, blue, humpback and other whales can be seen. An adult pacific gray whale can be 45 feet long and weigh up to 33 tons. A whale of a watching season the monterey bay is teeming with whales, especially blue whales, proving a boon for local whale watching businesses. Whale watching in bodega bay california coastal vacations. Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. From december through april is the prime grey whale migration period. Join guided cruises out of newport beach s newport harbor and dana point, which has been dubbed the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world, to explore remarkable marine habitat thats home to huge numbers of whales, dolphins, and sea lions. Redeem offer this offer is valid for up to 10 fares. Whale watching at dana point and coastal orange county. Departing from a natural harbor, daveys locker is the most popular option for those considering whale watching in orange county.
Jan 27, 2011 at the aquarium of the pacific, michele sousa is excited. Thats the last time any orange county whale watching boat has seen them, he said. Whale watching in baja has become a nearly annual pilgrimage for our family. Fall giant blue whale watching the official travel resource. A hot spot for whale watching, the marine mammals make a. We are the premier yearround whale watching facility in southern california. Whale watching in orange county, california usa today. Finbacks can eat up to 3 tons a day and specialize in catching small fin bait fish and krill. Southern california whale watchers aboard captain daves dolphin and whale safaris catamaran sailboat in dana point.
Substantial seasonal, yeartoyear and even decadetodecade variations are. Just click the redeem offer button, print the coupon, make a reservation, and bring the coupon with you to daveys locker whale watching when checking in for your trip. Whale watching in orange county orange county california. Dana wharf whale watching is great family off the california coast with an outstanding crew and a captain that contributed insightful narrative about whales and their migration seniors over 55 during march can wha. Year round whale watching and a whale watch guarantee available. Whale watching california the central california guide. Whale watching off orange county from newport harbor. Newport landing provides multiple whale watching trips daily departing from the heart of orange county. Orange county whale watching for over 20 years with newport landing. 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. During the high season summer in monterey, trips do sell out, so booking at least three to four days ahead of time is recommended. California brown pelican california brown pelican is the smallest of the eight species of pelican, with a wing span of 6 feet or slightly larger. Rescuers work to free humpback whale from fishing line off california this article is more than 4 years old the adult animal, seen off newport beach, was struggling to. Monterey bay humpback spike causes whalewatching sensation.
Orange county whale watching join guided cruises in the o. Nancy and alisa have followed these orca families so long that they now have documented 4 generations. According to experts, gray whales breachthats the spectacular jumpoutofthewater and make a big splash movemore often near dana point and. Its especially true about monterey bay in central california.
You can see them seasonally along the orange county oc coast, along with migrating gray whales. Its migration from arctic seas to baja california and back is 14,000 miles. This clash of cetaceans was filmed in californias monterey bay, the same coastal hub where we watched a pod of orcas feast on a grey whale recently. Getting there from highway 101 south, exit at ralston avenue. Whale watching from dana point and the orange county area. Seeing the behemoths in their native lagoons is an everchanging and always thrilling experience. Whale watching tours in newport beach include daveys locker and ocean. Any time of year, you might also see a fin whale, a humpback, a minke whale, or a pod of orcas. Providing whale watching in orange county for over 20 years.
First blue whale of the season spotted off southern. Guide to whale watching in orange county oc mom blog. Mar 28, 2018 gray whales playing with dolphins off oc coast laguna nigueldana point, ca it was a beautiful day as two gray whales stopped to play with a pod of dolphins off the orange county coastline. Whale watching tickets from ocean explorer cruises up to 64% off. It is the only member of the genus orcinus and is the largest predator or the mammal classification. The whaleplanner november a whale watching infographic. With just a few weeks left in the prime whale watching season, here are a few of the top orange county whale watching tours. May 27, 2017 this clash of cetaceans was filmed in california s monterey bay, the same coastal hub where we watched a pod of orcas feast on a grey whale recently. Droves of gray whales swimming along california coast cbs news. Dana wharf whale watching began in 1971 and was the first whale watching company in orange county. A prime location for whale watching, orange county, california, offers yearround options to view several whale species from land, sea and air. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching.
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