Pelagic seabird trips on selected dates in the summerfall season. The blue whales, balaenoptera musculus, can be seen from roadside turnouts of big sur and often are seen off partington point where a deep ocean trench supplies their abundant food source. Best of whale watching on the monterey bay as of 7. Epic whale watching in monterey bay the travelbunny. Trip reports discovery whale watch monterey bay, santa. The whales of monterey bay santa cruz whale watching by. Top places for whale watching in california monterey whale watching tours blue ocean whale watch. In fact, its not even uncommon to spot whales and dolphins from shore. Blue whales, humpback whales, leatherback sea turtle, common dolphin, rissos dolphin, orca. They feed off the california coast from june through october. Humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins, killer whales.
Watch the seasonal migration of california grey whales and blue whales off the san diego coast up close and personal. Killer whale season in the monterey bay the mercury news. Nov 16, 2017 the largest animal on planet earth, blue whales, and the secondlargest animal, fin whales, are swimming in the monterey bay in large numbers. During peak season, its almost guaranteed youll see gray whales or humpbacks in monterey bay. A few thousand of them can be found along the california coast. Nov 06, 2019 blue whales have been seen late in the season in large numbers in monterey bay. If you want to do some monterey whale watching, the best time of year to take a tour depends heavily on the kinds of species that you wish to see.
Drone footage captures blue whales in monterey bay. Whale watching monterey and santa cruz what to know. Fish and copepods tiny crustaceans may occasionally be part of the blue whale s diet. Princess monterey whale watching experience monterey california. But spotting a blue whale let alone a dozen blue whales is much more rare. Both vessels are made for your comfort and have indoor heated cabins with large windows for viewing. Theyre long and sleek, with a vshaped head which is flat on top. Princess monterey whale watching has the two largest and finest whale watching vessels on monterey bay. The fluke might become visible before longer dives, mostly it stays under water, though, as blue whales dive and surface at a flat angle.
After parking, walk down the wharf with all the restaurants and shops. Blue whale watching in big sur california, balaenoptera musculus. Monterey bay whale watching wih sanctuary cruises blue whales. Monterey whale watching the best time of year to take a tour.
Instead, it has baleen 300 to 400 fringed plates, up to 3 feet 1 m long, that hang from its upper jaw. Gray whales are easily observed as they hug the coastline during migration. They feed on anchovies, sardines, and krill shrimp like crustaceans. No matter when you go, youre likely to see one or more whale species, which may be migrating through the area or feeding in the bay. Whaletrips blue whales the best time and place to watch. Blue whale sea life princess monterey whale watching. To make the monterey and santa cruz area even more appealing, the whale watching season is the longest in the state of california, lasting more or less all year.
Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. Apr 16, 2018 monterey with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the killer whales to monterey bay. There are two seasons for whale watching in monterey bay, home of a worldfamous aquarium. Killer whale season in the monterey bay monterey herald. Its not unusual to see a rare fin or minke whale there, too. March through november, with peak sightings generally during july and august though every season is. This 34 hour monterey whale watching trip focuses on the humpback whale. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. Pacific whitesided dolphins, rissos dolphins, northern right whale dolphins, and common dolphins occur in monterey bay year round.
Whale watching boats have reported seeing several in monterey bay this week. Aug 17, 2018 during peak season, its almost guaranteed youll see gray whales or humpbacks in monterey bay. Nov 19, 2017 monterey whales watchers continue to be treated to a rare show as dozens of blue whales swim about feasting in the monterey bay. The best time for whale watching in monterey for humpback whales, blue whales and dolphins is late spring, summer and autumn because thats migration time. The largest animal on planet earth, blue whales, and the secondlargest animal, fin whales, are swimming in the monterey bay in large numbers. Aug 18, 2018 gray whales and humpbacks are more common during peak season in the monterey bay area. Monterey bay whale watching wih sanctuary cruises blue. May through october, with peaks generally in july and august depending on krill abundance. Blue whale the blue whale is the largest animal ever to live on earth, reaching lengths of 80 to 100. Party cruises monterey bay whale watch trips and contribute these photos to cascadia research. Randy straka, randy straka princess monterey whale watch.
Some species come here seasonally, such as grays, humpbacks and blue whales. Humpback whales and blue whales migrate to central california waters each year to feed during summer and fall. Like the humpbacks, blue whales often shift to various feeding locations off. Its the first time in 30 years, some say, that such an even. Nov 17, 2017 a blue whale lifts its tale out of the water before diving off point lobos in 20. Nancy black is the owner of mbww and has been studying monterey bays marine life for more than 30 years. Whale watching in monterey bay is the marine equivalent of going on a safari in africa. Aug 16, 2018 during peak season, its almost guaranteed youll see gray whales or humpbacks in monterey bay. Unusually high numbers of blue whales are hanging out in. Blue whales, humpback whales, leatherback sea turtle, common dolphin, rissos dolphin, orca killer whales. Blue whales are grayblue in color with a subtle mottling pattern that helps with identifying individuals. Humpback whales and blue whales can be found yearround in the monterey bay.
Monterey whales watchers continue to be treated to a rare show as dozens of blue whales swim about feasting in the monterey bay. Blue whales pacific grove museum of natural history. The blue whale balaenoptera musculus is a marine mammal belonging to the baleen whale suborder mysticeti. Killer whales, minke whales, and fin whales are occasionally sighted during this season as well. Gray whales and humpbacks are more common during peak season in the monterey bay area. When these marine mammals hunt for food, they filter feed by swimming toward large schools of krill with their mouth open, then push the water. Mar 11, 2020 princess monterey whale watching has the two largest and finest whale watching vessels on monterey bay. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. The local herd comes to monterey bay and the central coast for seasonal feeding. Blue whale sightings aplenty in monterey bay this week. A blue whale gulps a mouthful of water and krill, closes its mouth, pushes out the water with its tongue and then swallows its catch of krill. Blue whale sightings spike off california coast sfgate. Blue whales are gray blue in color with a subtle mottling pattern that helps with identifying individuals.
Apr, 2018 monterey with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the killer whales to monterey bay. Whether visiting for a day trip or in the area on vacation, whale watching is one of the best activities to choose when looking for things to do in monterey, ca. Traditionally, whale watching season runs from december through april. Top places for whale watching in california visit california. Blue whale watching in big sur california, balaenoptera.
There is also an increased change of spotting blue whales in summer and fall. Monterey bay whale watch 2020 all you need to know before. Only when the blue whale is about to dive down for a longer time, indicated by a louder last blow and a significant bending of the back, the fin becomes visible on the surface. The blue whale balaenoptera musculus is the largest living animal on the planet at eighty feet long and can weigh over 100 tons with a blow twenty feet tall. Check the california whale migration season calendar and schedule your cruise. Book your whale watching experience with princess monterey whale watching. Tours depart from moss landing harbor, which is halfway between santa cruz and monterey at the heart of the monterey bay and the closest port to the nutrientrich monterey submarine canyon. These dolphins are frequently sighted in groups ranging from 100 to over 2,000 animals. The whales of monterey bay santa cruz whale watching.
Incredibly streamlined, these whales can reach burst speeds of over 30mph. Blue whales are most likely to be spotted in monterey bay in summer or fall. We attempt to photoidentify all humpback whales sighted on monterey bay whale watch trips and contribute these photos to cascadia research. The diversity on the monterey bay is pretty amazing. Records of whale species, number of whales and interesting behavior exhibited by the whales. For example, on the same day they saw 10 blue whales, the crew saw 25 humpback whales just during the 8 a. While whales frequent the area waters throughout the year, there are specific seasons for individual species. There are two seasons for whale watching in monterey bay, home of a.
Whale watching is available all year long in monterey bay and youll have an excellent chance of spotting everything from a humpback whale and gray whale to a blue whale and an orca aka killer whale. Fin whales are second only to the blue whale in size and weight, growing up to 70 feet long and weighing 70 tons. Monterey bay whale watch via storyful original vid. Fast raft ocean safaris whale watching tours on monterey. Best of whale watching, monterey california as of 7. Monterey bay whale watch 2020 all you need to know. An attack last week on a gray whale calf by a group of 17 killer whales signified the beginning of.
Blue whales are most likely to be spotted in monterey bay in summer. The blue whales long and slender body can be various shades of grayishblue dorsally and somewhat lighter underneath. Blue whales have been seen late in the season in large numbers in monterey bay. Late spring, summer and fall trips monterey bay whale watch. A blue whale lifts its tale out of the water before diving off point lobos in 20. A monterey bay whale watching trip with blue ocean whale watch is the perfect activity for families, ecotourists, and photographers. Wildlife monterey bay wildlife blue ocean whale watching. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. Visitors can observe them from the shore in monterey submarine canyon and santa cruz, which features whales off coast at any time of the year. Princess monterey whale watching experience monterey. The best time for whale watching in california usa today. It is truly thrilling to have this huge animal surface near the boat. Monterey bay whale watch is the only whale watch tour that is owned and operated by experienced marine biologists. Blue whales can be found off of big sur california june through october, during times of abundant krill.
In addition to the whales that migrate seasonally through the area, such as humpbacks, blue whales and gray whales, many other whale species are visible throughout the year. An attack last week on a gray whale calf by a group of 17 killer whales signified the beginning. To make the monterey and santa cruz area even more appealing, the whalewatching season is the longest in the state of california, lasting more or less all year. Feb 14, 2018 the best time for whale watching in california. Youll also be able to see many other types of marine mammals, such as dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, and sea otters. Monterey bay whale watch whale watching trips on monterey bay, one of the best things to do in monterey, viewing whales and dolphins off the coast of monterey, moss landing, carmel, big sur, and the central california coast.
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