Salmon season coincides with the time when humpbacks are returning to monterey bay to feed for the summer and there were hundreds of boats on the bay fishing. These waters also attract hundreds of whales every year as they migrate north for feeding season. Records of whale species, number of whales and interesting behavior exhibited by the whales. Monterey bay whale watch 2020 all you need to know before. The winter and spring months are a great time to catch gray whales. Download our local big sur visitors guide, in adobe pdf. Whale watching monterey bay national marine sanctuary. Humpback whale watching in monterey bay, california ever. Photos shows moment humpback whale breaches near fishing. Monterey whale watching the best time of year to take a tour. The best time for whale watching in california usa today.
Choose from high quality, high res, hd, widescreen, and other options. Cruise monterey bay and observe the sea otters, seals, pelicans and other bay. Gray whales are present off monterey from december through may. Skip to primary navigation skip to content skip to footer click here to click here for latest on sea spirit status durinng covid19. They are the acrobats of the great whales and the ultimate scenestealers. That paled in the shadow of the epic boat trip we took the following day. Wet provides skilled expertise, tools, data collection, a support vessel and other assets to help save and disentangle whales from fishing gear. Humpback whales have the most complex and varied songs of any whale species. As the gray whales cross the underwater canyon, killer whales orcas wait for them and attack, most often in april and may. Whale alert can be downloaded free of charge from apples app store. Whale entanglement team monterey bay marine life studies. Killer whale season in the monterey bay monterey herald.
Humpback whales occur in monterey bay area from late april to early december. April is our best month to spot orcas in the bay as they hunt for gray whale calves on their northward migration. The whales of monterey bay santa cruz whale watching by. We couldnt have asked for a better whale watching company. Thanks to the diversity of the wildlife in monterey bay, monterey whale watching has even been compared by some to going on a safari in africa. San franciscos blue whale made from plastic trash carries a. On every charter, you will definitely be enjoying a large variety of mammals, such as whales, sea lions, porpoise, dolphins, etc. This technology allows researchers to listen to blue whale calls only audible when sped up by computer software and played through subwoofer speakers.
Monterey bay whale watch get close to whales and dolphins during a 3 to 3. Whale watching monterey and santa cruz what to know. May 5, 2019 see a video with some highlights of spectacular killer whale activity on our may 5 all day killer whale season trip. For recent marine mammal sightings in the monterey bay area, visit sanctuary cruises or monterey bay whale watch. Feb 14, 2018 there are two seasons for whale watching in monterey bay, home of a worldfamous aquarium. Monterey bay whale watch, humpbacks and dolphins, 41417. There has been a startling number of killer whale sightings in the bay in june, normally an off season month for whale watchers. Depending on the season, various species of whales and dolphins are frequently sighted. Humpback whale tail wallpapers monterey bay aquarium. Great for desktop, mobile, android or iphone backgrounds or a facebook cover photo. Our whale watching cruise lasted for 2 12 hours and we saw several groups of humpback whales. Often referred to as the whale watching capital of the world, here are the most common whales you will see while whale watching monterey bay along with some other delightful creatures.
The whales of monterey bay santa cruz whale watching. Blue whales have been seen late in the season in large numbers in monterey bay. We have experienced marine biologists on every tour who specialize in the marine. Join us in big sur to watch humpback whales swim near shore. The monterey bay aquarium research institute mbari developed an ultrasensitive underwater microphone to listen to the sounds beneath the surface of the ocean. May 2017 whale watching in monterey bay blue ocean whale. May 09, 2016 humpback whale season is typically from april through october and sometime through december if the water stays warm. Education monterey whale watching monterey bay, san.
The hotel abrego whale watching package includes overnight accommodations for two, two adult whale watch tickets, and a complimentary marine mammal guide. Monterey bay whale watch is the only whale watch tour that is owned and operated by experienced marine biologists. National geographicworthy moments happen when migrating gray whales pass through the monterey bay from middecember to april. Monterey is one of the best places in the area to go whale watching. Epic whale watching in monterey bay the travelbunny. Monterey area and local resources monterey bay aquarium. Climb aboard the 60 foot velocity, or 56 foot legacy, and experience the monterey bay area like never before on a monterey bay whale watching cruise. She has devoted the past few months to documenting the explosion in humpback whale activity that weve seen this year in the monterey bay. To find out more about the monterey bay whale watch company, blue ocean whale watch, check out their website. Its made from plastic trash, the kind that increasingly winds up polluting our seas.
We were so lucky to join the allday trip at monterey bay whale watch, which is owned and operated by a marine biologist nancy black. An attack last week on a gray whale calf by a group of 17 killer whales signified the beginning. Several companies run whale watching trip starting from monterey harbour and sailing through the bay to spot whales and dolphins. May 15, 2019 the whale only just missed hitting the small fishing boat before crashing back into the sea in monterey bay, california. Blue whales have been seen late in the season in large numbers in monterey. Oct 22, 2018 the 82footlong blue whale beached at a san francisco park came from the ocean, sort of.
These whales have one of the longest animal migrations known, traveling over 12,000 miles from their summer feeding grounds in the bering sea to their. Find vendors and learn tips for your upcoming whale watching adventure, something you can do yearround in monterey. In addition to the whales that migrate seasonally through the area, such as humpbacks, blue whales and gray whales, many other whale. This type of orca roams the california coastal waters far and wide in search of other marine mammals seals, dolphins and whales to prey upon. Our local baleen whales such as humpback, blue and fin whales are attracted to the abundance of food in the monterey bay national marine sanctuary. The amazing depths of the monterey submarine canyon make this region one of the best places in the world to watch for whales, dolphins, rare seabirds and other marine wildlife. To find out more about this years unusual humpback whale behavior and whale watching in the monterey bay, check out these posts. The best times to go whale watching in monterey bay are in the summer and fall months when the humpback and blues are here. Unusually high numbers of blue whales are hanging out in.
The truly professional and wellorganized whale watching tour. Nov 06, 2019 blue whales have been seen late in the season in large numbers in monterey bay. Whales migrate north from mid february through may, peaking during mid march. The local population of several hundred humpbacks are known to spend the winter months off of the mexican coast and then migrate to the central california coast for the feeding season. Whale watching in monterey bay, california our wanders. Monterey bay whale watching with sanctuary cruises orcas. June 2, 2019 drone video is featured and nancy black is quoted in ktvu feature story, rare sighting of bairds beaked whales in monterey bay.
If you are interested in whale watching, monterey ca is an excellent place to see whales year round. Apr, 2018 monterey with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the killer whales to monterey bay. Killer whale season whale watch trips monterey bay whale watch. Monterey bay whale watch 2020 all you need to know. 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. The hotel abrego whale watching package includes overnight accommodations for two, two adult whale watch tickets, and a. This chart shows what whales and other animals you might see each season.
Humpback whales are the most animated of all baleen whales. Experience whale watching in monterey with this unforgettable vacation package. Whale watching in monterey bay is the marine equivalent of going on a safari in africa. Princess monterey sunset bay cruise join us for a 1 hour bay cruise.
Monterey bay whales are magnificent to watch in their natural environment. Winter and early spring whale watch january through march. Download a beautiful humpback whale tail wallpaper from the monterey bay aquarium. Monterey with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the killer whales to monterey bay. Trip reports discovery whale watch monterey bay, santa. Trip times vary by season so check out our calendar for the current schedule. Whale sightings for every season in monterey bay the golden. The california gray whale is one of the most commonly seen whales in monterey bay. The orcas, or killer whales, that frequent monterey bay are known as transients. Warmer water leads to more whales spotted along monterey bay cbs sf bay area. Our trips depart from monterey harbor, which is an ideal place for local activities before or after your trip such as monterey fishermans wharf, monterey bay aquarium, cannery row and the scenic coast line of pacific grove.
For recent marine mammal sightings in the monterey bay area, visit sanctuary cruises or monterey bay whale. Whale sightings for every season in monterey bay the. 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. Monterey bay whale watch hotel packages get tickets for monterey bay whale watch trips when you stay at the embassy suites by hilton monterey bay. Dozens of humpbacks were drawn close to shore near moss landing due to the abundant anchovies. Pod of killer whales makes rare visit to monterey bay. Our crew is passionate about marine life and has been working in the whale watch industry for years.
The whale only just missed hitting the small fishing boat before crashing back into the sea in monterey bay, california. 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. The monterey area offers miles of welcoming beaches, hiking and cycling trails right outside. Visit from middecember through midapril to see gray whales, dolphins and killer whales migrating, or visit from midapril through middecember to see humpback whales, blue whales, dolphins and killer whales. Whale watching monterey bay california the whales of monterey bay. Monterey bay whale watch is the leading nature tour provider in what is widely recognized. A video shows the moment a humpback whale one of the largest species of whale leaping from the ocean near a fishing boat the whale sighting was captured in monterey bay. From april through november the humpback whale is the most common whale found out of monterey bay. And by that something we mostly mean tons of playful dolphins who will most probably start racing with your boat and. Marine mammal sightings in monterey bay, provided by monterey bay whale watch. Over the past several decades of protection, it has recovered back to historic levels. Humpback whale narrowly misses fishing boat as it bursts. The humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae is a marvelous cetacean to observe closely here in monterey bay. The cool waters off the monterey bay create the perfect feeding ground for many species of.
Of course, seeing whales is not guaranteed, but a boat trip is fun in the first place and you have high chance to see something in the second place. During the spring and summer, n orthwest winds push the surface water offshore, replacing it with cold water from greater depths. Jun, 2017 the monterey bays nutrientrich waters turn into a krillfilled buffet for humpback whales in the spring and summer months. 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. Apr 24, 2017 we were so lucky to join the allday trip at monterey bay whale watch, which is owned and operated by a marine biologist nancy black. Humpback whale watching in monterey bay, california ever in. Discovery whale watch monterey bay, san francisco tours.
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. The cool waters off the monterey bay create the perfect feeding ground for many species of whales. The prospects of an annual phenomenon the killer whale season, as marine biologist nancy black in monterey calls it has many on edge in monterey bay. Randy straka, randy straka princess monterey whale watch. When you stay at an affordable hotel in monterey such as the ramada motel, it means you can save money on lodging so you have more funds to enjoy exciting adventures such as whale watching. Monterey bay is the premier destination for whale watching all year. Nancy black is the owner of mbww and has been studying monterey bay s marine life for more than 30 years. Wed already had a fantastic time the day before wildlife spotting in monterey as we walked the bay. A fast raft whale watching safari is an exhilarating way to explore the monterey bay national marine sanctuary. There are two seasons for whale watching in monterey bay, home of a worldfamous aquarium. Easy and exciting encounters in the 1970s, most species of whales were hard to spot, as their populations were still low due to whaling. In particular, the rich waters in the network of submarine canyons in the 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.
Monterey whale watch offers exciting trips to see majestic humpback whales, dolphins, porpoise, sea birds, and other marine animals in the monterey bay submarine canyon, where it edges the shore at moss landing. Whale watching season 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. May was a very special month with more than the average number of humpback whales we normally see this time of year. During your whale watching tour, you will get the chance to see gray, humpbacks. Humpback whale season in monterey bay humpback whale season is upon usare you ready. After parking, walk down the wharf with all the restaurants and shops. One of my most memorable travel experiences was a morning spent whale watching in monterey california. We strive to provide our passengers with an inspiring and educational experience on monterey bay. Monterey bay whale watching with sanctuary cruises humpback. The sanctuary offers some of the worlds best yearround whale watching. During peak season, its almost guaranteed youll see gray whales or humpbacks in monterey bay. Humpbacks are often observed lunge feeding near the surface or deep diving for prey that is concentrated. Download our free audio tours and join us for guided walks along cannery row or the.
Marine life studies whale entanglement team wet is an integral part of saving whales in noaas monterey bay national marine sanctuary. Humpback whale season in monterey bay sea goddess whale. Moss landing whale watching safari fast raft ocean safaris. Gray whale the entire gray whale population migrates past the monterey coastline every winter and spring. Monterey bay is a most abundant food source for these beautiful cetaceans. Monterey whale watching tour enjoy whale watching with us and see what the magical monterey bay will reveal today. As one of the only places in the world to whale watch yearround, monterey bay is abundant with a huge diversity of sea life, and is at the top of many things to do in monterey. Learn about the inner harbor animals and the close to shore eco system featuring the giant kelp forest, sea lions, and sea otters. Whale narrowly misses anglers boat in california as it. Princess monterey whale watching welcomes you to the worldfamous whale watching heart of california monterey bay. An attack last week on a gray whale calf by a group of 17 killer whales signified the beginning of.
But spotting a blue whale let alone a dozen blue whales is much more rare. Apr 02, 2018 the prospects of an annual phenomenon the killer whale season, as marine biologist nancy black in monterey calls it has many on edge in monterey bay. Download a beautiful, highresolution elephant seal wallpaper for your. The monterey bay s nutrientrich waters turn into a krillfilled buffet for humpback whales in the spring and summer months. This makes monterey bay one of north americas premier whale watching destinations in any season of the the year. Humpback whale narrowly misses fishing boat as it bursts from. Late spring, summer and fall april to december whale watch for humpback whales, blue whales and dolphins.
Monterey bay is on the path during the humpback whale migration season and we are lucky to witness their incredible acrobatics. We see lots of them, including mothers with calves. From the time we arrived to when we left, every employee was friendly, courteous, informative, and very helpful. Excitement builds as we enter humpback whale season. On calm mornings, when the water of the bay is glassy and still, whale sightings can be seen all around the bay as the whales come up to catch their food or take a breath, sometimes even just a few miles out of moss landing harbor, located between santa cruz and monterey. The diversity on the monterey bay is pretty amazing. Monterey whale watching tours this season and shes captured some remarkable pictures of humpback whales. Monterey bay is on the path of the humpback whale migration path with a season running typically from april through october, and even into december if the water stays warm. In winter or summer, we take you to the heart of whale territory as we spot these magnificent creatures and much more. Apr 16, 2018 after the end of whaling in monterey bay in the mid1900s, the gray whale population was all but extinct. Off monterey, gray whales migrate south from december through mid february, with peak numbers occurring during mid january.
819 1357 1241 1560 1435 170 817 253 1047 353 1165 788 1401 507 549 1597 1470 1543 732 1591 581 711 393 237 1327 1064 1400 1028 1266 1078 333 1261 999 782 214 1017 924 220 1049 1283 1242 1105 915