Gray whale watching half moon bay, ca our 3hour whale watching tours from half moon bay put you in the midst of the annual gray whale migration, one of the worlds most accessible wildlife spectacles. Humpback whales are back under the golden gate bridge. Whale watching charters for the greater san francisco bay. Half moon bay is about 30 minutes south of san francisco. Nearly all year long, youve got a chance to see some of natures most majestic creatures. Ninth dead whale found in san francisco bay area this season. Noaas gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary advises san francisco bay area boaters to watch out for and steer clear of whales, which migrate into the san francisco bay area in large numbers during the spring and summer. There isnt really one specific season for whale watching in san francisco, because whales frequent this area throughout the year. Check with the various tour boat vendors for details and best dates to go since whale watching is far from an exact science. Humpbacks and blues frequent the bay area between may and november, leaving you a full seven months to instagram and snapchat one of these leviathans. A group of kayakers captured incredible video in the san francisco bay on july 10, 2016 a feeding frenzy by humpback whales.
Annual migration of the gray whale is currently underway. Earlier this week we reported that more than 50 blue whales were spotted in monterey bay a rare sight for november. Whale watching has a long tradition in california with the first tours taking place. Dungeness crab season pushed back over whale concerns.
The whale watching season half moon bay is the perfect spot for witnessing the journey of these spectacular creatures. Busy whalewatching season not over yet on sf bay sfgate. Humpback whales feast on fish in san francisco bay video. For recent marine mammal sightings in the monterey bay area. The sanctuary offers some of the worlds best yearround whale watching. The san francisco bay has experienced an active whalewatching season, and its still not too late to soak it all in. Allie the humpback whale heading out to pacific ocean. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. A dead gray whale, the ninth to be discovered in and around the san francisco bay and pacific coast since midmarch, was found beached at san franciscos ocean beach on tuesday. On your whale watching journey, you also get the chance to see schools of dolphins, leatherback turtles, and sea lions. I would definitely recommend this tour if you are visiting the san francisco bay area and are interested in seeing and learning about humpback whales along with other bird and fish. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. The focus of the expedition is a search for the majestic giants of the oceanswhales including the blue, gray and humpback whales.
Dungeness crab season pushed back over whale concerns sfgate. It was beautiful and the crew were fantastic worth it just for the cruise. Killer whales occur yearround and are occasionally seen 25 times per month in the monterey bay area in pods that average 8. Humpbacks in san francisco bay give whale watchers a rare thrill. Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip bottom photo at right. Almost a hundred bird species and more than 300 types of fish call this area home, too. Prices are per person, with a minimum cost for the boat to go. Cruise monterey bay and observe the sea otters, seals, pelicans and other bay life. If you are wondering what type of whales that you will see. Sf bay whale watching whale watching tours in san francisco. Scientists confirm gray whale found in sf bay died of severe.
Jul 11, 2016 a group of kayakers captured incredible video in the san francisco bay on july 10, 2016 a feeding frenzy by humpback whales. Sf bay whale watching passengers met a pack of 40 orcas in the gulf of the farallones in spring 2009. California the best tips for whale watching in california whaletrips. Killer whale season whale watch trips in april and may 2020.
Single passengers and smaller groups can join our boat based on space availability. Whale watching is typically done on a whale watching boat trip. Sf bay whale watching san francisco 2020 all you need. 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.
Sunday getaway to see humpback whales in monterey bay. The foodrich coastal waters off marin are an attraction to the whales. May 14, 2016 humpbacks in san francisco bay give whale watchers a rare thrill. The only thing that changes by season is the type of whales you will likely see. I wish they would have called this a sf bay boat tour and not set expectations to see whales. Apr 19, 2017 while youre there, keep an eye out for other ocean critters like cute, fuzzy otters and harbor seals. Allday excursions on the 99passenger kitty kat or a similar vessel take passengers on whale watchingnatural history tours 27 miles outside the golden gate bridge into the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary to the farallon islands, a major breeding ground for sea birds. Whale watching tour boats leave san francisco, half moon bay, moss landing and monterey during the decembermay season. It can be very bright on the bay and you can burn easily, even in the fog. San franciscos wild coast walking tour with local guide. Take a sightseeing cruise across san francisco bay and glide under the golden gate bridge on this 2. 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.
Noaa asks san francisco bay area boaters to watch out for whales. Join us on a whale watching trip from san francisco or half moon bay. Our highlyrated gray whale watching trips depart from pillar point harbor in half moon bay. If you want to see all the species possible in this area, you should consider joining us on. Monterey bay and the area around the farallon islands are the best locations for whale watching by boat. San francisco bay to reduce the risk of collisions between whales and ships within. Humpback whale migrate may through november gray whale, killer whale migrate dec through may. Whale alert can be downloaded free of charge from apples app store. When is the best time to go whale watching in the bay area. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national seashore. For you, that means whale watching cruises can take up most of a day. Not just one or two, but up to a dozen humpback whales can be seen spouting simultaneously. Download the pacific gray whales resource newsletter for more. Whale trips out to the farallon islands or farther out to the continental shelf cost 15 or 25% more due to rising fuel prices and the greater travel time required.
During the spring and summer, n orthwest winds push the surface water offshore, replacing it with cold water from greater depths. While an occasional curious cetacean thats sciencespeak for whale may venture into san francisco bay for a bit of sightseeing, they generally stay further offshore around san francisco than they do in other parts of california. San francisco whale tours, san francisco, california. Adult male orcas reach lengths of about 30 feet and may weigh approximately 16,000 pounds. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. This extended time at sea gives you the ultimate whale watch. Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip.
We are a nonprofit organization and have been leading whale watching trips in the bay area since 1972. We attempt to photoidentify all blue whales sighted on monterey bay whale watch trips and contribute the photos to cascadia research for analysis. A hundred ships or more might be anchored along the san francisco waterfront, where they stocked up on provisions for their long pacific and arctic voyages. It is the southernmost point of open ocean not only of the ross sea, but worldwide.
Whale watching in san francisco best tours and free. Allie the humpback whale heading out to pacific ocean kron4. Here are the best spots near the bay area to see whales and other cute marine animals and their babies. The gulf of the farallons national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. San francisco whale tours 2020 all you need to know before. This is a pretty warm city, so there will be companies who offer whale watching services almost. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and. Use this tips to increase the likelihood of spotting a whale. Numerous rangerled programs are offered during the whale and elephant seal season. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Orcas, not usually resident here, have been encountered in our local waters several times in the past few years. Sf bay whale watching provides whale watching and natural history tours from san francisco bay to gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary. Jan 07, 2018 2 of 2 even in record year for whale sightings off the bay area coast in the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary, sighting a pair of humpback whales lunge feeding in tandem is a rare.
Sightings, of course, vary from trip to trip, as well as through the seasons. San francisco day trips santa cruz whale watching by. This is the time of year when california gray whales eschrichtius robustus pass by the coast on their annual southern migration, so start planning your winter trip out to point reyes national seashore to do some whale watching now. The bay of whales was a natural ice harbor, or iceport, indenting the front of ross ice shelf just north of roosevelt island, antarctica. Beginning in the 1830s, whaling ships of british and new englandbased fleets wintered in san francisco bay.
Led by expert naturalists, full and half day boat tours are available almost every weekend, with opportunities to see blue, humpback, and gray whales, dolphins and porpoises, seals and sea lions, rare seabirds, and other marine life up close. What attracted them here, and what are they finding to eat. 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. San francisco whale watching is ready to take you out of san franciscos golden gate in search of several species of whales and other marine life of the california coast and the pacific ocean. 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. While youre there, keep an eye out for other ocean critters like cute, fuzzy otters and harbor seals. Scientists examining beached whale at point reyesa dead whale washed ashore at point reyes national. Whale watching on monterey bay makes a great day trip for kids. Ask the naturalist is a readerfunded bimonthly column with the california center for natural history that answers your questions about the natural world of the san francisco bay area.
If youre a fan of whales, there are few better places to live than california. Apr 23, 2016 if youre a fan of whales, there are few better places to live than california. The whale guardians of san francisco bay the silvery research vessel fulmar powers out to sea from san francisco, bounding off waves on its way to the farallon islands. You will never forget the looks on their faces as they see their first humpback whale, gray whale or blue whale breach the surface on their first.
Whale watching ocean safari trip for one, two, or four adults from sea spirit ocean safari up to 33% off. Pupping season is here, and who doesnt want to see an adorable little seal taking his first scoots on the sand. Santa cruz whale watching is one of the funnest things to do in the san francisco area, and is only 90 minutes drive away from the city. Humpback whales feast on fish in san francisco bay video a kayaker spotted humpback whales feeding in san francisco s waters on sunday. Winter whale and elephant seal watching at point reyes. The san francisco bay is the largest estuary on the pacific coast, making it an ideal refuge for a variety of winged creatures including shorebirds, raptors, and songbirds. 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. Short video of whale in san francisco bay, shot by captain stuart kiehl on mv watercress, short video of whale in san francisco bay, shot by captain stuart kiehl on mv. I wish they would have called this a sf bay boat tour and not set.
Humpback whales have provided such a surething spectacle out of monterey this month that the monterey bay whale watch center has been running up to seven trips a day. News from killer whale season in previous years about activity in monterey bay, featuring monterey bay whale watch and marine biologistowner nancy black april 28, 2019 kron4 feature story, graphic video shows killer whales attacking, killing gray whale calf in monterey bay. Noaa asks san francisco bay area boaters to watch out for. Heres proof the worlds largest animals are hanging around. Others use the bay area as a resting ground for a few days on their long journeys across the americas. Jul 11, 2017 a humpback whale jumps out of the water in front of the golden gate bridge. Up to 29% off whale watching at sea goddess whale watching. Sf bay whale watching san francisco 2020 all you need to. On each trip you may have the chance to see whales, seals and sea lions, dolphins and porpoises, and seabirds. 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. Whale watching monterey bay national marine sanctuary. Why are there humpback whales in san francisco bay right now. Theres no better place in the world to look straight down into the blowholes of a great whale. Gray whale watching half moon bay, california oceanic society.
Cruise past iconic landmarks aboard a coast guardcertified. 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. Apr 05, 2012 short video of whale in san francisco bay, shot by captain stuart kiehl on mv watercress, short video of whale in san francisco bay, shot by captain stuart kiehl on mv. Sf bay whale watching provides whale watching and natural history expeditions, departing from pier 39 to the farallon islands. The ross sea extends much further southas far as the gould coast, some 200 miles 320 km citation needed from the south polebut most of that area is covered by the. San francisco area and elsewhere along the northcentral california coast. Allday excursions on the 99passenger kitty kat or a similar vessel take passengers on whalewatchingnatural history tours 27 miles outside the golden gate bridge into the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary to the farallon islands, a major breeding ground for sea birds. San fran weathersan francisco bay area weather from cbs and kpix.
The gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. There are two broad whalewatching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summer fall season for the other whales. The new year always heralds the start of whalewatching season on northern californias coast. People look at a beached dead gray whale at ocean beach on may 06, 2019 in san francisco, california. So, grab your camera and head out on the water for an unforgettable whale watching adventure. The gray whale found dead near rodeo last week died from severe malnutrition, as confirmed by the marine mammal center. California has some of the best marine wildlife viewing in the world. Dead whale found in pacifica is 10th killed this year in bay area. Aug 09, 2017 the san francisco bay has experienced an active whalewatching season, and its still not too late to soak it all in. 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. There are two broad whale watching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summerfall season for the other whales. You can also go watching gray whales from san francisco and the bay area. Gray whale watching half moon bay, california oceanic.
However it is certainly possible to see whales from the shore if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. The best places to whale watch in the bay area sfgate. A dead whale washed ashore in pacifica on tuesday, bringing the total this year to 10 in the san francisco bay area a cause for serious. Humpbacks in san francisco bay give whale watchers a rare. A humpback whale jumps out of the water in front of the golden gate bridge. Sf bay whale watching specializes in trips to the farallon islands originating from san francisco. San francisco whale tours 2020 all you need to know. Depart from pier 39 and enjoy views of alcatraz and the golden gate bridge. Discover the marine life that calls the waters surrounding san francisco home on a whale watching cruise. Whale watching is a growing activity that everyone should try.
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