Baleen Whales seen off San Diego:
  • Gray Whale (Eschrichtius robustus)
  • Humpback Whales (Megaptera novaeangliae)
  • Blue Whales (Balaenoptera musculus)
  • Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)
  • Bottlenose Dolphin (TursiopsTruncatus)
  • Risso Dolphin (Grampus griseus)

Similarly, you may ask, what whales are in San Diego?

Whale watching season in San Diego runs from mid-December through April, and migrating gray whales are the most common species. To see females with their calves, go late in the season as they take their babies back north with them.

Subsequently, question is, what is the best whale watching tour in San Diego?

  • Offshore Blue Adventures. 5.4 mi.
  • Gone Whale Watching. 4.5 mi. 23 reviews.
  • Adventure RIB Rides. 5.1 mi. 113 reviews.
  • Oceanside Adventures. 31.6 mi. 156 reviews.
  • Whale Watching at H&M Landing. 6.3 mi. 215 reviews.
  • San Diego Sailing Tours. 5.2 mi. 188 reviews.
  • Flagship Cruises & Events. 5.4 mi. 781 reviews.
  • Baja Ballenas. 1.9 mi. 2 reviews.

Moreover, are there whales in San Diego now?

February 27, 2020 We observed ~50 Pacific white-sided dolphins, ~100 Common dolphins, and TWO Southbound Gray whales!

What is the best month for whale watching in California?

Orange County Whale Watching The best time is during the annual migration of gray whales, December through April, though whales visit these waters year round. May to October you might see blue whales, which can grow more than 100 feet long.

Are there killer whales in San Diego?

Caitlin Scully, a representative of Birch Aquarium at Scripps, described orca sightings of the coast of San Diego as rare. “It's usually only a couple times a year that you'll see orcas,” Scully said. It total, Biagini spent 90 minutes with the group as they traveled in a straight line southwest of San Diego.

Where can I see whales in San Diego?

With just a pair of binoculars, you can spot whales from the high bluffs at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserveand the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, both in La Jolla about 20 minutes north of downtown San Diego.

What time of day is best for whale watching?

While it might seem trite, anytime is the best time to watch whales! If you are looking for the best scenic light for photography choose an sunrise, early morning or sunset whalewatch. The best overhead light is from 11 am - 3 pm, for beautiful blue waters.

What time of day is best for whale watching in San Diego?

That makes San Diego, with its 78 miles of coastline directly in the migration path, the perfect place to watch. The best time to watch for gray whales is from December through mid- to late April, depending on the year. To see a blue whale, wait until the spring and summer seasons.

Can you see whales in San Diego in October?

When to See Gray Whales in California Gray whales start swimming south from Alaska in October, generally passing the coast off San Diego from December through January and again in February and March when they return to their feeding grounds.

Can you see whales in San Diego in August?

Summer & Fall Blue Whale Watching Blue whales, the largest creatures on earth and thought to be among the most endangered of the great whales, may be found off the coast of San Diego mid-June through September.

Are you more likely to see whales in the morning or afternoon?

There is not a huge difference between the morning and afternoon in whale watching. Some say that the whales also tend to be more active in the afternoon.

How much is whale watching in San Diego?

Whale watching coupons for San Diego visitors. Save 60% with this $16 whale watching cruise special.

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Age Weekday Weekend/Holiday
Adults (Ages 13 - 59) $34.00 $38.00
Juniors (Ages 3 - 12) $28.00 $32.00
Seniors (60+) $28.00 $32.00
Toddlers (Ages 0 - 2) Free Free

Can you see dolphins in San Diego?

No, there are different types of dolphins off the coast of San Diego including Pacific white-sided, bottle-nosed, Risso's, and common dolphins. At times, they can be seen in large herds. San Diego is also home to a number of whale species including gray, blue, humpback, fin, and minke whales.

When can you see blue whales in San Diego?

However, because blue whales and gray whales migrate at different times of the year, whale watching season in San Diego is open year round. If you have a preference for one species of whale over the other, gray whales migrate from mid-December through April while blue whales migrate from mid-June through September.

What to wear Whale Watching San Diego?

What should I wear to go whale watching in San Diego? It can be up to 15 degrees cooler on board a boat when it's moving, so we suggest wearing layers that are easy to take on and off. Light, water-resistant jackets are a great choice. You should also wear comfortable, sturdy closed-toed shoes with non-marking soles.

Do whales swim close to shore?

Gray whales are very comfortable in shallow water. Even in their summer feeding grounds, they are often close to shore. Much of this is because they are bottom feeders and can find some of their favorite crustecean foods in the mud in shallow water. Some gray whales like to rub against the big rocks in the coves.

Where can I see whales in Southern California?

Here is our list of the top whale watching spots in Southern California.
  • Point Loma in Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego.
  • Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, San Diego.
  • Ellen Browning Scripps Park, La Jolla.
  • Bluffs above Blacks Beach, La Jolla.
  • Bluffs in Torrey Pines State Beach.
  • Seagrove Park above Del Mar Beach.

Where can I see whales near me?

To observe these gentle giants in their natural habitats, add one of these coastal destinations teeming with whale-watching opportunities to your bucket list.
  • San Juan Islands, Washington.
  • Bar Harbor, Maine.
  • Maui, Hawaii.
  • Juneau, Alaska.
  • Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
  • Newport Beach, California.
  • Jacksonville, Florida.

Where can I see whales in California?

Best Whale Watching in California
  • Monterey Bay. Monterey Bay is California's hub for all things aquatic.
  • Santa Barbara. With more than 27 species of whales and dolphins that visit every year, whale watching in Santa Barbara is an awesome way to spend your vacation.
  • Newport Beach.
  • San Diego.

Can you see whales in San Diego in November?

San Diego Whale Watch is unique in that it tours year round. The San Diego whale watching tours during May through November sight blue whales and fin whales making their journey from the chilly Northern waters down to the warmer Southern waters for breeding.

When can you see blue whales?

In Antarctica the summer months last from October to March, with February and March being the best time to see whales. Sri Lanka is one of the best places to see blue whales in the world, with the best sightings in December, January and April; February and March are quite good too.