You can also see them from land, especially from any part of the coastline that juts into the sea, where they typically come closest to land. San francisco whale tours offers exciting adventures from the san francisco bay to the pacific ocean and into the protected sanctuary of the farallon islands. The best time for whale watching in california usa today. But if you want to get a special view, without having to worry about seasickness, then go to the golden gate bridge during a strong rising tide. Humpback whales feast on fish in san francisco bay video. Download the pacific gray whales resource newsletter for more information about the gray whale. Humphrey the whale is a humpback whale which twice deviated from his mexico to alaska migration by entering san francisco bay. Amazing whale watch in san francisco with multiple breaches, jumps, and tale slapping. Meet us at our partners ticket kiosksan francisco whale tours.
Discover the marine life that calls the waters surrounding san francisco home on a whale watching cruise. The 90minute tour focuses on showing guests the myriad marine life found within the famous san francisco bay, including bird colonies, harbor seal communes, and sea lion citystates. The only thing that changes by season is the type of whales you will likely see. Jan 07, 2018 whale sightings in san francisco bay were once so rare that just spotting the puffofsmoke of a whales exhale from its blow hole could make the news. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. San francisco whale tours offers whale watching trips from. The best places to whale watch in the bay area sfgate. January is the most whalehappy month, when more than 1,000 of the massive mammals can pass this point each day. They offer a 5hour coastal and a 6hour farallons tour. You can also go watching gray whales from san francisco and the bay area from the middle of december to may. 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. Whale watching in san francisco best tours and free. Humpback whale washes up on san francisco beach california.
You can see humpback whales up close, seals, dolphins, and. Lyrinda snyderman was out in the bay with three other kayakers when. The whale watching season half moon bay is the perfect spot for witnessing the journey of these spectacular creatures. Please avoid disturbing seals to ensure a successful pupping season. There are two broad whalewatching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summerfall season for the other whales.
Their expert naturalists teach you all you need to know about marine life as you scan the horizon for whales, dolphins, sea turtles, sharks and many other. During this time of year, you can expect to see humpbacks and blues. Daytrip tickets are 125 dollars, starting at san francisco, sausalito and halfmoon bay. Annual migration of the gray whale is currently underway. We are spending 3 nights in san fransisco, 2 nights in monterey bay and 2 nights in half moon bay. On an ecofriendly catamaran, glide through san francisco bay and under the golden gate bridge to reach the open pacific, where youll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as. A humpback whale jumps out of the water in front of the golden gate bridge. San francisco whale tours in san francisco, california. Our daily whale watch trips are narrated by a marine biologist or naturalist who provides educational and interesting information about whales, dolphins, and a wide variety of marine wildlife. Whale watching ocean safari trip for one, two, or four adults from sea spirit ocean safari up to 33% off. The san francisco whale tours ticket booth is in pier 39 entrance plaza san francisco c. After parking your vehicle walk across the street or sky pass to pier 39. From march to may, you might even catch a glimpse of a gray, sperm, or killer orcas whale. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and.
Search for humpback and gray whales along with more abundant porpoises, dolphins, and harbor seals while learning about the unique history and geology of the area from a professional naturalist on board. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national seashore. Take a sightseeing cruise across san francisco bay and glide under the golden gate bridge on this 2. Our vessel kitty kat is within 25 yards of our ticket booth. The best spot weve found to count the whales is atop the marin headlands, or from lands end in san francisco. Their trips are longer than others and depart from sausalito or san francisco. This behavior is unusual for a humpback whale, and humphrey attracted wide media attention when entering the bay in both 1985 and 1990. Brit marling, on the san francisco centric sequel season that premieres at midnight tonight on netflix.
However, because blue whales and gray whales migrate at different times of the year, whale watching season in san diego is open year round. Sf bay whale watching whale watching tours in san francisco. This was taken may 18, 2008 from pier near fort point just inside the golden gate bridge. January is the most whale happy month, when more than 1,000 of the massive mammals can pass this point each day.
Whale sightings in san francisco bay were once so rare that just spotting the puffofsmoke of a whales exhale from its blow hole could make. A naturalist onboard the san francisco whale tours vessel says he captured images aboard a 5 p. A kayaker spotted humpback whales feeding in san franciscos waters on sunday. This video has been featured on trip advisor for a top travel tip if youre looking for a fun activity near the san francisco bay area.
San francisco whale tours, san francisco, california. Gray whale watching half moon bay, california oceanic society. Read more half moon bay gray whale watch sightings. Sailboat nearly strikes humpback whale in san francisco bay. See views of the golden gate bridge, whales, porpoise, and more. Half moon bay is about 30 minutes south of san francisco. Prime collision areas are concentrated around busy shipping lanes in the san francisco and channel islands regions. Look for humpback and blue whales, thousands of seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and seals, harbor porpoises, and much more. Photo by joe nazar, san francisco whale tours overview there are two broad whalewatching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summerfall season. The best place to do that by boat is from the monterey peninsula from monterey and from moss landing and as far as booking in advance i would not do it because it may be cheaper or more expensive if booked early or late feb is not busy season here but it is our rainy season so if the.
Download whale mapp for android whale alert west coast. There are also blue whale safaris to the farallon islands from july to november, as these are the important feeding grounds for gray whales, humpbacks and blue whales. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. Fed agency asks for private beach property to let dead whales rot in peaceat least 81 gray whale corpses have washed ashore in california, oregon, washington and alaska since jan. Photo by joe nazar, san francisco whale tours overview there are two broad whalewatching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summerfall season for the other whales. Sf bay whale watching provides whale watching and natural history expeditions from san francisco bay to the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary. Farallon islands whale watching from san francisco oceanic. Click here to gift certificates gift certificates click here to call 415 706.
There isnt really one specific season for whale watching in san francisco, because whales frequent this area throughout the year. Jul, 2016 a kayaker spotted humpback whales feeding in san franciscos waters on sunday. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Gray whales are making their annual migration north to alaska where they spend the summer feeding in bountiful waters.
San francisco in san francisco bay, its been a great week for whale watching thanks to some special visitors seldom seen in those waters. Apr 23, 2016 mikkeller san franciscos future uncertain as bar is listed for. Humpback whales are back under the golden gate bridge. Last october, a 65footlong blue whale washed up dead on westmoor beach in daly city. On an ecofriendly catamaran, glide through san francisco bay and under the golden gate bridge to reach the open pacific, where youll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as well as marine life like dolphins and seals. Depart from pier 39 and enjoy views of alcatraz and the golden gate bridge. Welcome to whale alert west coast latest news endangered whales are needlessly being hit and killed by ship strikes each year along the west coast of the united states. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. Humpbacks in san francisco bay give whale watchers a rare. However it is certainly possible to see whales from the shore if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. Then keep your eyes peeled for humpback and grey whales the area is also a happy habitat for dolphins, sea lions, porpoises, and the occasional shark, all of which. Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise.
Hello myself husband and 8 year old are travelling in a couple of weeks to san fransisco. Our tours usually sell out, so book your san francisco whale watching tour now. They offer a 5hour coastal and a 6hour farallons tour they offer a 5hour coastal and a 6hour farallons tour oceanic society cruises. Its officially whalespotting season in san francisco bay. Jul 18, 2017 the best spot weve found to count the whales is atop the marin headlands, or from lands end in san francisco. Traditionally, whale watching season runs from december through april. The chance of sighting the gray whales at this time is very high, somewhere around 95%. Discover what its like to take a whale watching tour from san francisco including a list of what you will see each season, tours, and tips to prepare. Festivals attend the mendocino coast whale festival just north of san francisco in early march. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. Ship strikes have been a recurring threat to whales around san francisco bay and other large ports. Winter temperatures range between 44 and 61 degrees f in san francisco and from 48 to 66 in san diego.
Mikkeller san franciscos future uncertain as bar is listed for. Blue whale hit by ship found dead on northern california beach. Aug 07, 2015 amazing whale watch in san francisco with multiple breaches, jumps, and tale slapping. Look for humpback and blue whales, thousands of seabirds, dolphins, sea. Cruise past iconic landmarks aboard a coast guardcertified. Join us for an exciting marine mammal wildlife trip along the san francisco bay and the northern california coastline. Join san francisco whale tours aboard their ecofriendly catamarans and venture into the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary in search of the largest marine species on earth. Monterey bay is the premier destination for whale watching all year. The peak of whale watching season is still december through april when tens of thousands of california gray whales come within a few miles of the san diego coast on their 5,000mile southern voyage, the longest known distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis.
Beginning in the 1830s, whaling ships of british and new englandbased fleets wintered in san francisco bay. This nonprofit groups offers limited sailing schedules but have the besttrained naturalists. Even if you miss seeing a blue whale farallon islands is a marine life paradise. You can get closer if you book a tour on a local whale watch boat. Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip. Up to 29% off whale watching at sea goddess whale watching. Jan 23, 2016 this video has been featured on trip advisor for a top travel tip if youre looking for a fun activity near the san francisco bay area. Its officially whale spotting season in san francisco bay. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and gray whales, this is a trip you will never forget. Whaletrips california the best tips for whale watching. Farallon islands whale watching san francisco join us on a day trip from san francisco to the wonderful and wild farallon islands, one of the most exciting marine environments on earth.
The focus of the expedition is a search for the majestic giants of the oceanswhales including the blue, gray and humpback whales. The foodrich coastal waters off marin are an attraction to the whales. The gulf of the farallons national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. If you are wondering what type of whales that you will see. May 7, 2016even before saturdays whale watching trip left the harbor in half moon bay, two california sea lions were happily splashing around near the boat and one raised a big flipper out of the water, waving as our trip began. If you have a preference for one species of whale over the other, gray whales migrate from middecember through april while blue whales. This is the busy travel season in san francisco and when plenty of people are on the water whale watching. According to whale experts, an astounding 94 percent of migrating pacific gray whales pass within one mile of this protected peninsula some 27 miles north of san francisco. San francisco whale tours captain and crew safely ferry patrons across scenic waterways to explore the wonders of the bays ecological system.
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