Join guided cruises out of newport beach s newport harbor and dana point, which has been dubbed the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world, to explore remarkable marine habitat thats home to huge numbers of whales, dolphins, and sea lions. The gray whale can be recognised by the gray and white patches on dark skin. The reasons for orange countys lively whale scene are. We did some research to find the best places to look for these massive mammals without a boat. How to go whale watching in orange county orange county. Discover the best year round whale watching in the world best year round whale watching in the world. Gray whales can be seen off southern california from december through may. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. The reasons for orange countys lively whale scene are varied. Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins cetaceans in their natural habitat. The dana point headlands is undeveloped and there is a public trail on top of the headlands that takes you out to the promontory. Daveys locker in the historic balboa pavilion famous orange county landmark next to the balboa funzone has over 40 years of history providing whale watching cruises. According to dana wharf, one of the most popular whale watching tour companies in orange county, this has been a record season for spotting whales with more than 549 sightings of gray whales alone. See whales playing with dolphins off orange county coast.
Best places for whale watching from shore in southern california. First blue whale of the season spotted off orange county. A study prepared for international fund for animal welfare in 2009 estimated that million people went whale. Providing whale watching in orange county for over 20 years. The best time for whale watching in california reserve your trip online or call 949 6731434 to schedule. Dana point a blue whale found feeding about eight miles outside of dana point harbor is the seasons first to be seen off orange county waters. Gray whale watching season runs from the end of december through midapril and blue whale from may through november. Come join the excitement each year as we celebrate the return of the gray whales off our coast from december through april or see the blue whales which are here may through mid november. Just click the redeem offer button, print the coupon, make a reservation, and bring the coupon with you to daveys locker whale watching when checking in for your trip. Whale watching in orange county is a year round event. Santa cruz, ca the monterey bay is teeming with whales, especially blue whales, proving a boon for local whale watching businesses. Baby gray whale coaxed back to sea laguna nigueldana point, ca the possibly ill, young whale, that looks really skinny, was swimming directly underneath a.
Whale swims under paddleboarders and kayakers in california. Mar 02, 2017 departing from newport beach in heart of orange county, newport landing has whale watching cruise departures each day. Beginning in january and running through the end of march, approximately 15,000 gray whales swim south from the icy waters of the arctic to mate and nurse their young in the warm, shallow lagoons along magdalena bay in. Redeem offer this offer is valid for up to 10 fares. A hot spot for whale watching, the marine mammals make a. For a closer look, book a whale watching cruise with san diego whale watch. Newport landing whale watching proudly supports crystal cove alliance, the nonprofit partner of crystal cove state park, which is dedicated to education, conservation, and restoration efforts within the state park and its marine conservation area. With over a half dozen different types of whales and several varieties of dolphin, newport beach has become one of the top whale watching destinations in. Mar 18, 20 gray whales court boats in orange county. Aug 16, 2015 i have several pieces of advice for those seeking information on newport beach for a possible visit during the summer months.
Our company offers whale watching trips throughout the year and often times we are asked when the best time is to see the animals. Laguna beach whale watching deals in laguna beach, ca groupon. Long beach, newport beach, dana point, oceanside, and san diego all offer whalewatching. Orange county whale watching for over 20 years with newport landing. Newport landing whale watching offers whale watching cruises open to the general public viewing california grey whales, blue whales, all types of dolphins, and more. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Gray whales make one of the longest migrations of any mammal. The season itself runs from middecember through april with migrating gray whales being the most common species. Especially for those who might be in the area for disneyland in anaheim and want to do one of those great out of park local attractions. Orange county whale watching join guided cruises in the o. Whale watching in ventura ca is great way to spend your day.
They are strong fighters and are native almost entirely to the pacific coast blue and gray whales together. Newport landing offers whale watching tours all year long. Whale watching year round in orange county there are many gray whales being seen off our coasts right now. May and december are the best months to get sightings of both blue and gray whales off the orange county coast. Southern california has the largest concentration of blue whales in the world. Best whale watching spots in southern california california.
Whale watching on the california coast california beaches. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity cf. Mar 28, 2018 gray whales playing with dolphins off oc coast laguna nigueldana point, ca it was a beautiful day as two gray whales stopped to play with a pod of dolphins off the orange county coastline. Annual migration of the gray whale is currently underway. Whale watching and dolphin cruise for one, two, four, or. Bryant, mainly from the photographs of john avise, university of california, irvine click on images or names to open. Dana point located in south orange county dana point is an excellent place to spot passing whales.
The whale watching season half moon bay is the perfect spot for witnessing the journey of these spectacular creatures. Any time of year, you might also see a fin whale, a humpback, a minke whale, or a pod of orcas. You can see them seasonally along the orange county oc coast, along with migrating gray whales. Taking a whale watching cruise off the coast of southern california is exhilarating and gives you a high likelihood of seeing gray whales up close, but its fun to watch them from shore too. Sea lions are so numerous you might find a few draped across boats in the marina as you make your way to a whalewatching outfit. A prime location for whale watching, orange county, california, offers yearround options to view several whale species from land, sea and air. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. Aug 09, 2017 whale swims under paddleboarders and kayakers in california harbor. Guide to whale watching in orange county oc mom blog. Where to go whale watching in california socal field trips. Newport landing provides multiple whale watching trips daily departing from the heart of orange county. Dana wharf whale watching began in 1971 and was the first whale watching company in orange county. Get up close and personal with blue whales, gray whales, fin whales, humpback whales, minke whales, killer whales, and five species of wild dolphins that can number in herds of up to 10,000.
According to experts, gray whales breachthats the spectacular jumpoutofthewater and make a big splash movemore often near dana point and. The best time for whale watching in california daveys locker. Species exotic to california andor north america, yellow background. Whether youre a local, new in town, or just passing through, youll be sure to find something on eventbrite that piques your interest. If you want to whale watch, do it from dana point with dana wharf, the industry pioneers. Local day adventures san clemente, ca san clemente inn. During whale watching season in southern california, which takes place along the coast from santa barbara to san diego, youll find plenty of ways to see the migration. Dana point a blue whale found feeding about eight miles outside of dana point harbor is the season s first to be seen off orange county waters. Lane lagaret with the orange county sheriffs office said. Aug 08, 2017 baby gray whale coaxed back to sea laguna nigueldana point, ca the possibly ill, young whale, that looks really skinny, was swimming directly underneath a paddle boarder. Whales breach, dive and blow, creating a dramatic spectacle during their annual migrations off the coast of orange county, california. Whale watching in orange county orange county california.
We are the premier yearround whale watching facility in southern california. One whale watching and dolphin cruise for one junior or one or two adults from daveys locker up to 68% off. Southern california whalewatching tours depart from most harbors along the coast. If you dont see any whales on your journey with the company, they let you cruise again for free. Whale watching off orange county from newport harbororange. There are several great places in orange county to spot whales. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. Beginning in 1971 we are the pioneer of whale watching adventures in orange county.
Buy tickets online or call 949 6731434 to schedule a cruise. Located in newport beach, just minutes away from most cities in orange county, daveys locker has been providing whale watching cruises for over 40 years to both residents and visitors of orange county and. The whales travel 10,000 to 12,000 miles from the cooler waters of the chukchi and bering seas to the warm. From december through april is the prime grey whale migration period. There is a chance for fin whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and even pods of orcas. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. With just a few weeks left in the prime whalewatching season, here are a few of the top orange county whale watching tours. Whale watching in orange county, california usa today. Whale watching at dana point and coastal orange county. Find watching tips for humpback and blue whales that can be found around the channel islands. Baby gray whale coaxed back to sea from dana point photos. Check the california whale migration season calendar and schedule your cruise.
878 1464 749 1495 1493 469 296 11 1279 486 448 396 723 578 1194 58 1248 773 669 1432 910 269 1247 478 1491 14 426 277 756 1495 471 982 1428 1273 1042 35 436 1329 422 758 824 105