Watching whales in Southern California can be a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience. However, this activity will depend on which time of the year you choose to go. Different locations along the east coast and Hawaii also have migratory species and summer feeding grounds to offer. Specifically migration season is December to April, New England has large feeding ground, and year-round; coastal California has large whale species.
The ease of locations to see whales year long makes Orange County, south of Los Angeles, a desirable spot for watching whales. Southern California is unique as the warm waters draw in whales and migratory species. From December to April, the primary species of whales are grays and humpacks, while whales are plentiful May to October with blues and as the largest species to watch. Occasionally killer whales, which are also called orcas, can be viewed while they hunt seals. Several species of dolphins including common, bottlenose, Pacific white-sided, and large gray dolphins are also seen in Southern California waters while sea lions and seals are common as well. Summer excursions even bring the unique spectacle of flying fish skimming and leaping above the water.
From Newport Beach, there are whale watching cruises, which take about 2-2.5 hours of your time. Advanced crew members take the time to observe seasonal whale patterns to adjust their routes, as well as aid in slowing down and further reducing engine noise in an active area. There are daily departures from 400 Main St, Newport Beach with controlled sailing times of 9:30 am, 10:00 am, 12:00 pm, 1:00 pm, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm, and 6:00 pm. We recommend that you arrive 20 to 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. The morning and late-day trips have an added bonus;
the light bouncing off the ocean can be as beautiful as the wildlife.
If we travel to the East Coast, the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Boston is also a Classic Location. The number of migrating whales in this area is extremely large due to breeding (feeding), and as a result, this area is extremely well known in terms of Marine Life. They are all able to watch whales in a year, and from December to April in the winter and spring, it is said that they are able to have the greatest amount of variety and watches within that year.
The stars of the show are humpback whales; their shows consist of strong whale blows, rolling bodies, and even dramatic tail displays. Although they are a very small group, fin whales and minke whales are also present. Stellwagen Bank is a great area for bird watching & a whale habitat. It is a favorable area for bird watching due to the abundant dwellers of plankton and fish & shellfish. There are more than 40 different types of sea birds in that area, and the dolphins in that area tend to move in large groups.
Boston whale watch cruises last approximately 3 hours. They include naturalist interpretation from the New England Aquarium Whale Watch program, which has decades of experience researching whales. Their vessels are catamarans that have numerous outdoor viewing decks. They also have enclosed, climate-controlled cabins that have seating, tables, and food and beverages, along with an area to watch videos. Trips leave from 1 Long Wharf, Boston at 9:30am, 10:00am, 11:00am, 12:00pm, 1:00pm, and 2:30pm, 3:30pm and 5:00pm. It is recommended that you arrive 20 -30 minutes before departure and if the company requires it, bring a printed voucher.
Hawaii offers the most recognizable winter whale watching destination. Humpback whales can be seen around Maui, Kauai, and Oahu as well as the Big Island. However, the Auau Channel between Maui, Molokai, and Lanai is considered the best. The calm and clear water of the Auau Channel provides a great opportunity to see whales from the shore on clear days.
The most common species of whale in Hawaii is the humpback. These whales migrate from their feeding grounds in the north to Hawaii to breed and give birth. They arrive at the end of November and leave in late April, with some being sighted as late as mid-May. The largest concentration of whales can be seen in the waters of Hawaii from January to April. In addition to humpbacks, the waters also have dolphins, sea birds, and gulls.
When pilots leave on whale watch trips, they will be gone for two and a half hours from the time they leave until they get back. During these trips, the ships need to stay at least 100 feet from all active humpback whales. Other cruise ships will provide buffet-style meals and entertainment from Hawaiian culture, including making leis, hula dancing, and playing the ukulele. Different cruise companies will have different sailing times depending on what island you are on, Oahu or Maui, in Hawaii. It is wise to book in advance, especially during the peak season for humpback whales because some cruise ships will only travel out once or not at all some days.
Fishing for whales is no different from fishing for any other animal, it is highly sensitive and should be treated as such. For any excursions, it is important to stay with a company that is well known and respected, because having your expectations low is better than having them too high. The trip is not likely to have any breach or play next to the boat, but there is a high chance that you will see some whales playing.
