What is the best month for whale watching in California?

What is the best month for whale watching in California?

In Northern California, your best time to spot gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November, and for blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, plan your stay sometime between July and October.

Where is the best place to whale watch in California?

Whale Watching on the California Coast

• Mendocino. Whales usually swim right by the Mendocino Coast on their journey.
• La Jolla. San Diego is definitely one of California’s best areas for whale watching, especially La Jolla.
• Orange County.
• The Channel Islands.
• San Francisco.
• Monterey.

What time of day are whales most active in California?

The best overhead light is from 11 am – 3 pm, for beautiful blue waters. The calmest sea conditions tend to be before noon and towards sunset. The whales are active throughout the day and their behavior changes as groups of whales encounter each other.

What is the best time of day to see whales in California?

morning

Are whales more active in the morning or afternoon?

Is the morning or the afternoon better? People always want to know if whale watching is better in the morning or the afternoon. To be completely honest there is really no ‘better time. ‘ As a general rule, the ocean is calmer in the mornings.

What time of year is best to go whale watching?

Whale watching season typically runs from June to October and any month is a good time to get up-close and personal with these gentle giants.

Can you go whale watching in the rain?

Whale Watching with clouds and rain Don’t let a cloudy or rainy day keep you from going out whale watching. Sometimes a cloudy day is the best whale watching weather. The whales don’t care if it is raining.

How long does whale watching take?

between 2.5 to 3 hours

Where can you see killer whales in the US?

Five great places to see killer whales in the wild

• San Juan Islands, Washington. This is one of the most dependable place to go to see orcas in the continental U.S.
• Vancouver Island, Canada.
• Southeastern Alaska.
• Monterey Bay, Calif.
• Southern California.

Is it safe to go whale watching?

“It’s a very safe industry and very seldom do you ever hear of a major incident on any type of whale-watch vessel.” Whale-watching boats usually race toward the area where the massive animals are swimming. The boats then idle in place as passengers rush from side to side to snap photos and videos.

What is the best time of day to see whales in Monterey Bay?

Morning trips are generally better because sea conditions are calmest which allows us to maneuver the boat to sightings more easily and comfortably. However whales can be observed any time of the day.

Can you see whales from the shore in Monterey?

Whale Watching from the Shore Around Monterey Bay 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.

When can you see orcas in Monterey Bay?

BEST time to see killer whales in Monterey Bay: mid-April through mid-May, and late August through October. Though killer whale sightings may occur any time of the year.

What do you wear whale watching in California?

We want you to fully enjoy your whale watching experience with us, so we offer the following suggestions onhow to prepare for the trip: dress in warm layers, wear long pants, and a warm windproof jacket. Wear a wide brimmed hat/baseball cap and/or warm cap. Wear flat-soled closed toed shoes.

What do you wear whale watching on a cruise?

What to bring checklist …

• A jacket and warm clothing, rubber-soled shoes or sneakers for good traction on deck.
• Sunscreen & sunglasses.
• A camera with a memory card that has lots of space (and a fully charged battery!)
• Motion sickness medication or patch if desired.
• Snacks/drinks or cash for the snack bar.

When can you see blue whales in California?

The best time is during the annual migration of grey whales, from December to April, though whales visit these waters year round. Between May and October you might see blue whales, which can grow to be more than 30 metres long.

What should I wear for whale watching?

What to Wear

• Warm layers – it is significately cooler on the water than land.
• Hat – warm or sun depending on the season.
• Flat shoes preferably with a rubber bottom, such as tennis shoes.
• Rain jacket or windbreaker.
• Gloves – ideal for spring and fall tours.

How do you prepare for whale watching?

By following a simple list of do’s and don’ts, you will be able to make your first-time whale watching experience a priceless memory.

1. Do wear comfortable clothes (preferably long-sleeved shirt and long pants)
2. Do wear a jacket or a raincoat.
3. Do wear rubber sole shoes.
4. Don’t forget your camera or video camera and binoculars.

What do I need for a whale watching tour?

What to Bring Whale Watching

• Hat.
• Sunglasses.
• Sunscreen.
• Binoculars (we do keep some loaners aboard)
• Camera.
• Extra batteries.
• Water bottle (no glass please)
• Snacks and/or lunch or dinner.

Do you need binoculars for whale watching?

As you will be viewing from onboard a moving platform (boat or ship), it is recommended not to use binoculars with any more than 8x magnification. While whale watching, the whales are not that far away from the boat, so you will not need any more than 7x or 8x magnification.

What are the best binoculars for whale watching?

The 6 Best Binoculars for Whale Watching:

1. Nikon Action 7×50 Binoculars – Best Overall. Check Latest Price.
2. Athlon Midas Whale-Watching Binoculars.
3. Wingspan Spectator 8×32 Binoculars – Best Value.
4. Bushnell H2O 10×42 Whale Watching Binoculars.
5. Sightron 8×32 Binoculars for Whale Watching.
6. Celestron SkyMaster 20×80 Binoculars.

Which Hawaiian island is the best for whale watching?

Maui

Is Kauai good for whale watching?

Kauai is a Hawaiian island that lies northwest of Oahu. While Kauai’s water activities aren’t as popular as its attractions on land, this is a great spot to go whale watching in Hawaii. From December through May, you can find humpback whales on Kauai’s shoreline, and a charter boat tour can help you see them.

What is the best month for whale watching in Hawaii?

The best time to see whales on Maui is November through May when thousands of North Pacific Humpback whales grace Hawaiian waters during their annual winter migration.

What time of year are whales in Hawaii?

North Pacific Humpback Whales (Kohola) arrive in Hawaii after their journey from Alaska sometime from November to May, with most sightings January to March, making February the peak time. The more than 3,000-mile journey is believed to take as little as 36 days up to 4-6 weeks one-way.