San Diego’s whale watching season traditionally occurs from December through April when California gray whales journey from the chilly Alaskan seas to the warm water lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. It’s a majestic sight to spot these peaceful giants of the sea gliding through the water and making their way south, along with other species of whales and dolphins. Several whale watching companies have expanded their range of sea outings, and visitors now have the unique opportunity to glimpse a menagerie of marine life on cruises and kayak adventures departing daily from San Diego Bay, Mission Bay and local beaches.
Guests on a winter cruise can witness thousands of California gray whales come within a few miles of the San Diego coastline on their 5,000-mile southern voyage to Mexico to birth and rear their young. Their journey is one of nature's most extraordinary events and is the longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis.
In the spring, summer and autumn months, whale watching excursions also tout the opportunity to see blue whales – the largest animals on earth, which have been frequently spotted off the San Diego coast in recent years – humpback, fin and minke whales, along with exciting year-round sightings of bottlenose, Pacific white-sided and common dolphins. With 70 miles of coastline, San Diego makes an ideal location for viewing this impressive parade of marine life.
- The Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla celebrates the gray whale season with educational activities and whale exhibits. The aquarium's outdoor tide-pool plaza, overlooking La Jolla's shoreline and the Pacific Ocean, offers an excellent vantage point for viewing the gray whale's epic journey.
- Located on the panoramic Point Loma peninsula and overlooking the Pacific, Cabrillo National Monument offers a glass-enclosed observatory for whale watching. Guests can also explore whale exhibits and listen to a taped narration describing characteristics of these popular animals. Cabrillo's 28th annual Whale Watch Weekend and Intertidal Life Festival occurs Jan. 17-18, 2015 and features presentations, exhibits and films. Rangers are on hand throughout the weekend to assist visitors in spotting whales from the redesigned outdoor Whale Watch and Kelp Forest Overlook and exploring the park's magnificent tide pools. Admission is $5 per private vehicle and $3 for bicyclists and walk-ins.
- From Dec. 13, 2014 through April 30, 2015, Next Level Sailing and the Maritime Museum of San Diego offer whale watching expeditions aboard the yacht America, a historic replica of the world's first America's Cup winner. The 139-ft. long sailing yacht is perfectly suited for whale watching with its low sleek lines, deep keel for stability and ability to quietly approach whales under sail without using noisy engine power. The four-hour whale watching excursion departs daily at 11 a.m. from the Maritime Museum, located at the downtown Embarcadero. Cost is $79 for adults and $39 for children (12 years old and under) on weekdays and $89 for adults and $44 for children on weekends. Visitors can receive one free child’s ticket for every one paid adult ticket by calling 1-800-644-3454. The price includes admission to the Maritime Museum and a narration about whale migration habits.
- From Dec. 14, 2014 through April 19, 2015, naturalists from the Birch Aquarium at Scripps partner with Flagship Cruises & Events to venture out on public cruises from San Diego Bay to locate gray whales. Two 3.5-hour cruises depart daily at 9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Birch Aquarium naturalists narrate the tours while guests receive gray whale fact sheets. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and a full galley is onboard. Cost is $38 for adults and $19 for children (4-12 years old) on weekdays and $43 for adults and $22 for children on weekends. Flagship also offers 1.5-hour whale watching trips aboard its Patriot high speed jet boat. The excursion boards at 11 a.m. and cost is $49.50 for adults and $39.50 for children. Guests are guaranteed to see a whale or they get to ride again free.
- From Dec. 14, 2014 through April 26, 2015, Hornblower Cruises and Events offers 3.5-hour whale watching adventure cruises in partnership with the San Diego Natural History Museum. Passengers receive professional narration on the whales' migration and other marine life, and the boat features snack bars, binocular rentals, climate-controlled indoor seating and a museum-curated whale exhibit with fossils and video. Expeditions depart daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from the downtown Embarcadero. Cost is $39 for adults on weekdays and $44 for adults on weekends. Children (4-12 years old) cruise for 50% off. Guests are guaranteed to see a whale or they receive a pass to ride again free.
- H&M Landing offers two whale-watching excursions from Dec. 24, 2014 through March 2015. A three-hour gray whale watching cruise departs daily at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from San Diego Bay. Cost is $45 for adults and $20 for children (12 years old and under) on Wednesday-Sunday and $22 for adults and $20 for children on Monday-Tuesday. A five-hour whale watching tour takes guests to Mexico’s wildlife sanctuary at Los Coronados Islands, located 14 miles off the San Diego coast, for up-close views of whales and other marine wildlife. The cruise departs at 10 a.m. on Thursday-Sunday. Cost is $60 for adults and $40 for children (4-12 years old). Cruises include informative narrations on whales and other marine life, and the boats feature indoor and outdoor seating and a galley with hot food and beverages.
- San Diego Whale Watch offers year-round whale watching excursions aboard The Privateer, the only boat in San Diego used solely for whale watching. Gray whale watching voyages are offered December through April and mighty blue whale and fin whale watching excursions are offered May through November. The whale watching trips are 3 hours and depart daily from Seaforth Landing on Mission Bay. Cost is $48 per person.
- During December through April, Sail San Diego offers 3.5-hour whale watching excursions for small groups aboard four sleek 40-ft. sailboats. The intimate whale watching tours include informative whale watching literature, as well as soft drinks, hot chocolate, wine, beer and snacks. Tours depart daily at 9 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. from the Shelter Island Marina. Cost is $90 per person.
- Guests can experience thrilling whale and dolphin watching excursions year round aboard a 25-ft. Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.) with Adventure RIB Rides. Passengers enjoy a quick ride to the ocean and up-close encounters with whales and other aquatic animals. Charters are limited to six passengers per boat. During December through February, tours focusing on gray whale migration are offered daily at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., departing from Harbor Island. During March through November, daily tours focus on humpback, fin and blue whales. Cost is $85 for adults and $70 for children (5–12 years old).
- From Nov. 15, 2014 through March 1, 2015, Everyday California offers a two-hour whale watching kayak tour that allows guests to paddle within the path of the gray whale migration. There are also opportunities to view seals and sea lions along La Jolla’s seven sea caves. The two-mile tour launches daily from La Jolla Shores. Cost is $80 for a single kayak and $120 for a double kayak.
- La Jolla Kayak provides close encounters with gray whales during December through April. The two-hour tours depart daily at 10 a.m. and 12 noon from La Jolla Shores, taking guests along the La Jolla coastline. Cost is $59 for a single kayak and $89 for a tandem double kayak.
- During December through mid-March, Hike Bike Kayak offers three-hour whale watching tours through the La Jolla Underwater Park and Ecological Reserve. A trained naturalist educates visitors about gray whales and other fascinating sea life. Tours depart daily from La Jolla Shores. Cost is $70 for a single kayak and $120 for a double kayak.
Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on having a whale of a good time in San Diego, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org/what-to-do/tours-sightseeing/whale-watching.aspx, the Port of San Diego's website at www.thebigbay.com or call 619-236-1212.
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