With over 70 miles of coastline, San Diego offers an abundance of opportunities for locals and tourists alike. Although San Diego’s famous Sea World is home to the popular "Shamu," natural whale migrations can be viewed from the coast year round.
Between December and April, 20,000 grey whales travel down the coast to Baja California, and spectators are given the fascinating chance to see these creatures in their natural element. As grey whales seek the warm, Baja water to give birth to their calves, they take part in the longest known mammal migration. Once the calves are strong enough to travel back to Alaska, San Diegans are once again greeted by these creatures along their coastline.
As the grey whales return home to the cold waters of Alaska, San Diego welcomes the largest group of blue whales in the world as they feed off the California coast between June and September. Rising water temperatures and a copious amount of krill make San Diego an ideal location to spend their summer. Although blue whales tend to be found in deeper waters and further off the coast, they can be identified by their exploding water sprays that can be seen from miles away.
To view these magnificent mammals, San Diego offers a variety of viewing locations and excursions to get up close. From land, grey whales can be spotted from the Cabrillo National Monument, Birch Aquarium, Point Loma Peninsula, and the hiking trails along Torrey Pines State Reserve. These locations offer wide-ranging views of the Pacific Ocean and great opportunities to see grey whales traveling alone or in small pods. If your need for action drives you to get up close and personal with these creatures, there are multiple options to get your fix.
San Diego Whale Watching
1717 Quivira Rd, San Diego, CA, 92109
San Diego Whale Watching offers year round whale watching and three hour excursions at sea with knowledgeable narration by their crew. They also cater to private tours and corporate events by providing exclusive whale watching and sunset cruises. San Diego Whale Watching guarantees whale or dolphin sightings by offering guests another free tour if they do not see any creatures.
A three hour whale watching experience costs $59 for adults and $54 for military, senior citizens, and kids. However, active duty military and their family can receive a 50 percent discount by booking a tour on Military Mondays. Tickets are also discounted to $40 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and children receive half off and a bag of popcorn on Wacky Whale Wednesdays.
Fun Cat Sailing Catamaran Adventures
955 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Fun Cat Sailing offers guests private four hour whale watching experiences. Aboard their catamaran, Fun Cat Sailing provides six guests with snacks, drinks, sunglasses, and jackets to make their whale watching experience one to remember. Whale watching excursions and sunset sailing are $85 a person and are available daily.
La Jolla Kayak
2199 Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
La Jolla Kayak offers whale watching tours from December to April to bring you as close to grey whales as you can get. For two and a half hours, single kayak tours are $59 and double kayak tours are $89. Tours depart daily at 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.
To prepare for your whale watching adventure, being ready and knowing what to expect can help you have an exceptional experience. When you’re out at sea, the worst thing is to be unprepared and unable to return to shore for hours. The following tips will ensure that you will make the most of your whale watching experience:
Consider Taking Motion Sickness Medication
If it is your first time out at sea, be cautious of the unexpected choppiness of the ocean. Taking motion sickness medication could ensure a pleasant whale watching experience. Many excursions last several hours, which can feel like days if you are feeling under the weather. If you choose to take motion sickness medicine, be sure to carefully read the instructions before going out to sea.
Pack Well
Before you embark on your whale watching excursion, be sure to pack the essentials for a day at sea. Remember, it will be cooler at sea than it is on shore. Pack blankets and jackets to ensure you are warm and ready to see the anxiously awaited whales. Also, be sure your cameras are charged and ready to capture a photo at any given moment. The whales may only come to the surface for a few seconds, but having a photo can make the memory last forever.
Bring Sunscreen
Although it may be cooler out on the water, applying sunscreen is necessary to ensure you do not come back with a sunburn. Be sure to apply sunscreen before you embark the boat, and bring extra for any that comes off with a whale’s splash.
Keep An Open Mind
Nature and animals are unpredictable. Understanding that seeing a whale is not guaranteed will allow you to have an overall positive experience, and will make seeing a whale even more exciting. Enjoy your time out on the ocean regardless if you are met with wondrous creatures. Many whale watching excursions offer additional complimentary trips if you do not see a whale on your first adventure. Perhaps your next whale watching experience will be more successful.
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