Killer whales, minke whales, and fin whales are occasionally sighted during this season as well. Monterey bay whale watch sponsored a fundraising whale watching boat trip for the monterey bay chapter of the american cetacean society acsmb on sunday, august 21, 2005. Along the california coast in the monterey bay area, whale watching is a spectacular yearround event. Monterey bay whale watch 2020 all you need to know. Its some kind of show for whale watchers who dont even need a boat to enjoy the spectacle. List of most recent marine mammal sightings in the monterey bay region since april 1, 2020 compiled by monterey bay whale watch this list, updated every few days, includes reported sightings from monterey bay whale watch trips. Monterey bay whale watch latest marine mammal sightings.
Depart from moss landing aboard sea goddess and get ready to see whales, dolphins, sea lions, and more. 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. Faqs discovery whale watch monterey bay, santa cruz, san. Though most populations of large whales are greatly reduced, the gray whale population is an exception. Monterey bay whale watch whale watching monterey, ca 93940. Gray whale during the winter and spring, almost the entire gray whale population migrates through the sanctuary, usually within three kilometers of shore, traveling between their summer feeding grounds in the bering sea and to their winter breeding grounds in baja. Monterey bay whale watch offers yearround whale watching trips led by professional marine biologists. 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. Monterey bay whale watch is the only whale watch tour that is owned and operated by experienced marine biologists. May 2017 whale watching in monterey bay blue ocean whale.
Gray whale mothers and calves are the last to leave their breeding grounds in baja and pass by monterey bay between april and may to reach their feeding grounds in alaska. Behavior and ecology of killer whales at the aquarium of the pacific in long beach, ca. Late spring, summer and fall trips monterey bay whale watch. Blog princess monterey whale watching monterey bay. A number of whalewatching tour companies operate out of monterey. Monterey with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the killer whales to monterey bay. It was a beautiful day for whale watching at moss landing, california along the monterey bay. Here, five humpback whales forage for fish in the same spot. Monterey bay whales are magnificent to watch in their natural environment. May 2, 2017, updated may 3 article titled whale wars. Whale watching cruises for times and scheduling, visit our reservation page. You can go whale watching anywhere along its shores. While stagnaros boats strictly adhere to the mlpa marine life protection act which requires a 100 yard minimum standoff while monterey whale watching, these curious creatures often come right up to the boat. As the spring season progresses, our local humpbacks will return to the bay for the summer and fall seasons.
We offer the following trips during the summerfall season april through december. The best time for whale watching in california usa today. Apr 16, 2018 monterey with the arrival of spring comes the arrival of the killer whales to monterey bay. While we got lucky with a halffull boat, id recommend finding a tour. Monterey bay whale watch is one of the bigger whale watching tour operators in monterey. Monterey bay canyon is a playground for ocean creatures. Monterey bay whale watching with sanctuary cruises whale. The town of monterey is on the south end, santa cruz on the north and moss landing in the middle.
Both vessels have indoor heated cabins with large windows for viewing, large clean restrooms, snackbar and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Monterey bay humpback spike causes california whalewatching. Whale species information discovery whale watching. The monterey bay may be the finest spot on earth to view whales and. Check out our list of mustdo water activities in monterey. During the winter, we observed some overwintering juvenile humpback whales that skipped their yearly migration and stayed in monterey bay to continue feeding on anchovies. Princess monterey specialty cruises whale watching in. Killer whale killer whales occur yearround and are occasionally seen 25 times per month in the monterey bay area in pods that average 8 to 20 individuals. Whale sightings for every season in monterey bay the. Monterey bay is on the path during the humpback whale migration season and we are lucky to witness their incredible acrobatics. 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. Killer whale season in the monterey bay the mercury news. April is our best month to spot orcas in the bay as they hunt for gray whale calves on their northward migration.
Find vendors and learn tips for your upcoming whale watching adventure, something you can do yearround in monterey. Download a beautiful, highresolution humpback whale wallpaper for your. 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. Killer whales go on unprecedented killing spree in. March 2017 whale watching in monterey bay blue ocean whale. Monterey bay whale watch sponsored a fundraising whalewatching boat trip for the monterey bay chapter of the american cetacean society acsmb on sunday, august 21, 2005. 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. Share a oneofakind whale watching experience with your canine companion aboard one of the monterey bay whale watch boats. It is said that the monterey bay area is one of the best area for whale watching. Nancy black is the owner of mbww and has been studying monterey bays marine life for more than 30 years. August 2015 whale watching in monterey bay blue ocean.
Monterey whales watchers continue to be treated to a rare show as dozens of blue whales swim about feasting in the monterey bay. More than a dozen humpback whales are frolicking in the waters of monterey bay south of san francisco. Whale watching half moon bay, ca riptide sportfishing. April, 2018 monterey herald article, killer whale season in monterey bay. They also feature large clean restrooms, a snackbar, plenty of indoor and. A 9day holiday to californias pacific seaboard to enjoy its birdlife and, particularly, the wealth of. The blue whale is gone by winter during this season the whales return to the warmer waters off central america to give birth and mate. Come see these beautiful, graceful whales in their natural habitat.
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. The orcas, or killer whales, that frequent monterey bay are known as transients. Princess monterey whale watching has been in the cruise business for over 30 years. Killer whale season in the monterey bay monterey herald. Monterey bay whale watch 2020 all you need to know before. Most tours last 23 hours and leave from montereys famous fishermans wharf. Faq princess monterey whale watching monterey bay, ca. An attack last week on a gray whale calf by a group of 17 killer whales signified the beginning of. If youre in the half moon bay, ca area, call us now at 650 7288433. We are monterey bays leading company in narrated cruises. The largest mammal ever to exist on earth, large blue whales can run up to a hundred feet in length although the average is. We have been featured in national geographic, bbc and discovery channel.
Sea goddess whale watching moss landing whale watching. This time of year, brings an amazing mix of wildlife. Blue whales are attracted to sanctuary waters during this time, when krill swarms are often seen in great concentrations in monterey bay. Feeding frenzy fills monterey bay with humpback whales wired. Whether its an entertaining and informative boat tour or a relaxing sunset dinner cruise, these are the best monterey cruises around. Depart from moss landing, midway on the monterey bay and entrance to the monterey submarine canyon whale watching on the monterey bay is a yearround adventure. You can book online at any time by clicking the book now button at the top of the page. Princess monterey specialty cruises imagine the relaxed, smiling faces, photos, and special memories created, as you and your guests gather on the water, surrounded. Princess monterey whale watching experience monterey. Whale watching monterey and santa cruz what to know. There are two seasons for whale watching in monterey bay, home of a worldfamous aquarium. Blue whales can move along the entire california coastline during summer and fall searching for their prey great swarms of krill. The killer whales take advantage of the unique geography of the monterey bay and disperse themselves to patrol for.
Monterey, california whale watching, dolphins, sea lions, the coastline and more. Nancy black, jason berring, monterey bay whale watch, source. Piloted by captains with over 20 years of experience, each boat trip is led by knowledgeable and experienced marine biologists. Humpback whales gorge in monterey bay the mercury news. These dolphins are frequently sighted in groups ranging from 100 to over 2,000 animals. See allday whale watch trips in killer whale season for details. Monterey bay inn, spindrift inn and victorian inn have whale watching tickets available for purchase at each inn. Aug 10, 2017 for the past few weeks, at least 50 to 75 humpback whales have been gorging on krill and anchovies in the monterey bay, delighting boaters and whale watching groups. Nancy has a masters of marine science degree from moss landing marine laboratories, has worked with whales and dolphins in the region for over 25 years, and has become an expert in the biology of killer whales off the california coast. Whale alert can be downloaded free of charge from apples app store. Whale watching monterey bay california the whales of monterey bay from april through november the humpback whale is the most common whale found out of monterey bay. Princess monterey specialty cruises imagine the relaxed, smiling faces, photos, and special memories created, as you and your guests gather on the water, surrounded by monterey bays most spectacular views. Funded in cooperation with the monterey county board of supervisors and the communities of pebble beach company, carmelbythesea, del rey oaks, marina, monterey, pacific grove, salinas, sand city, seaside, moss landing, carmel valley, big sur, and salinas valley. Faqs discovery whale watch monterey bay, santa cruz.
Humpback whales are the most animated of all baleen whales. During the high season summer in monterey, trips do sell out, so booking at least three to four days ahead of time is recommended. 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. Not all tours are dogfriendly so call ahead to get the correct information. Monterey bay humpback spike causes california whale. Monterey is the best place in the nation to view a variety of marine mammals and seabirds. Killer whales go on unprecedented killing spree in monterey bay. Monterey bay whale watching with sanctuary cruises orcas. Scheduled on selected days during the summer fall season. Monterey bay whale watch is the leading nature tour provider in what is widely recognized. Monterey bay is the premier destination for whale watching all year. May was a very special month with more than the average number of humpback whales we normally see this time of year. Easy and exciting encounters in the 1970s, most species of whales were hard to spot, as their populations were still low due to whaling. Both vessels are made for your comfort and have indoor heated cabins with large windows for viewing.
Vessels princess monterey whale watching monterey bay, ca. Yearround whale watches, in addition to pelagic seabird trips in the summerfall season. We are monterey bay s leading company in narrated ocean and bay tours, specializing in natural history and biology of marine wildlife,especially whales. Monterey bay whale watching and tours in monterey, ca. In monterey bay in late summer and early fall, that blow is often a blue whale balaenoptera musculus. But climate change is causing phytoplankton to bloom earlier in the season. May 2, 2017 sfgate featured a video titled humpback whales interfere as killer whales fed on a gray whale calf. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020.
A week of insane whale sightings in monterey bay got even crazier wednesday, when a pod of nine killer whales attacked a gray whale calf right in front of a whale watching tour boat. Pacific whitesided dolphins, rissos dolphins, northern right whale dolphins, and common dolphins occur in monterey bay year round. We attempt to photoidentify all blue whales sighted on monterey bay whale watch trips and contribute the photos to cascadia research for analysis. They are the acrobats of the great whales and the ultimate scenestealers.
The whales of monterey bay santa cruz whale watching. The humpback whale megaptera novaeangliae is a marvelous cetacean to observe closely here in monterey bay. Dozens of humpbacks were drawn close to shore near moss landing due to the abundant anchovies. During your whale watching tour, you will get the chance to see.
For recent marine mammal sightings in the monterey bay area, visit sanctuary cruises or monterey bay whale watch. 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. 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. In the 1970s, most species of whales were hard to spot, as their populations were still low due to whaling. We have experienced marine biologists on every tour who specialize in the marine.
Whale watching in monterey bay is the marine equivalent of going on a safari in africa. Set sail on your destinations toprated boat tours and cruises. Its been a great month so far as winter has transitioned into spring. Princess monterey whale watching has the two largest and finest vessels in the monterey fleet. The diversity on the monterey bay is pretty amazing. Monterey bay whale watch offers yearround whale watching trips to observe the spectacular diversity and abundance of whales and dolphins inhabiting the bay. Monterey bay whale watch is owned and operated by nancy black, the marine biologist who accompanies most trips. The casa munras hotel offers a package featuring two adult whale watch tickets and a to go bag with pastries, fruit and bottled water to take on the boat. Cruise monterey bay and observe the sea otters, seals, pelicans and other bay. In winter or summer, we take you to the heart of whale territory as we spot these magnificent creatures and much more. We see lots of them, including mothers with calves. Nancy black is the owner of mbww and has been studying monterey bay s marine life for more than 30 years. Killer whale killer whales occur yearround and are occasionally seen 25 times per month in the monterey bay area in pods that average 8.
In addition to the whales that migrate seasonally through the area, such as humpbacks, blue whales and gray whales, many other. One of the most commonly seen whales in monterey bay, the gray whale migrates up. Humpback whales charge a pod of killer whales in monterey. Princess monterey whale watching has the two largest and finest whale watching vessels on monterey bay. There is nothing quite like that shout to wake up a boatload of nodding seagoers. We are monterey bays leading company in narrated ocean and bay tours, specializing in natural history and biology of marine wildlife,especially whales. Monterey bay is a most abundant food source for these beautiful cetaceans. Nov 17, 2010 the monterey bay national marine sanctuary is one of the top places in the world to view whales, seabirds and other marine mammals, such as sea otters, seals and sea lions.
An attack last week on a gray whale calf by a group of 17 killer whales signified the beginning. Depending on the season, whales and dolphins that are frequently observed include gray whales, humpback whales, blue whales, pacific whitesided dolphins. We are monterey bays leading company in narrated ocean and bay tours, specializing in natural history and biology of marine wildlife, especially whales. We are monterey bay s leading company in narrated cruises. The whales of monterey bay santa cruz whale watching by. The northbound gray whales are passing through monterey bay, including moms and calves. View humpback, blue, gray, and killer whales plus a variety of dolphins. Monterey is home to several charters offering whale watching tours throughout the year. Whale watching monterey bay national marine sanctuary. Open yearround, monterey bay whale watch has the areas highest success rate for whale and dolphin sightings. These waters also attract hundreds of whales every year as they migrate north for feeding season.