Whale Watching Off the California Coast

When people think of whale watching, they often think of Alaska. However, we also have whale watching right here off the California coast. Harbor Breeze Cruises in Long Beach conducts whale watching cruises during the Grey Whale's migration season. Grey Whales migrate to Baja California each year to give birth in warmer waters. The migration season lasts from mid-December to mid-April, giving you plenty of time to go see them.

How Long Does a Whale Watching Cruise Last?

The cruise took about two and a half hours to complete. There is roughly a 90% chance that during that time you'll see at least one whale. On the trip I went on, we saw two whales. During that time, you'll also take a brief cruise of the harbor and learn more about it. Once you are out into the Pacific Ocean, you'll probably also see some sea birds, sea lions, and dolphins.

How Close Do You Get to the Whales?

Unfortunately, you can't get too close to the whales without disturbing their migration. You'll be back at least 100 yards away from the whales. On our cruise, we saw two whales blowing water and air. They also showed their tails a few times. We weren't close enough to really get photos of the whales at all, although perhaps those who brought along telephoto lenses got a few shots. However, we did get very close to the dolphins and sea lions. The dolphins swam right out in front of the boat, showing off for the tourists.

What Should I Wear?

For some reason, I hadn't thought about this question before I went on the cruise. So now that I know what it was like, I'll tell you how to be smarter than I was and dress properly. You should wear warm clothing and a windbreaker. Wear a hat and sunglasses too, or you'll wind up with a headache like I did. I would also highly recommend sunscreen if you burn easily (like I do) or you will get sunburnt (like I did). I would also recommend wearing comfortable shoes that are easy to walk in. Even though the boat has non-skid decks, it's a good idea to wear shoes that don't slip easily.

Does Anyone Get Sea Sick?

On the cruise that I went on, I don't think anyone suffered from sea sickness. However, I felt pretty sick when we were going slowly (and therefore rocking like crazy) so that we'd spot a whale. They don't sell motion sickness medicine on the boat, so bring it if you think you'll need it. They do however, sell snacks on the boat. The snacks really helped because the sea sickness feeling seemed to be much worse when I was hungry. Even though the boat isn't exactly small, there was considerable rocking.

So How Much Does All This Cost?

Adults pay $25 per person, seniors are $20 (you're considered a senior if you're over 62), children 11 and under are $15, and children 2 and under ride free. I would highly recommend carpooling there if you can, as parking is going to cost you $12 if you park in the parking structure next to the Long Beach Aquarium. So this isn't exactly the most inexpensive trip you could take, but it's something fun to experience at least once.

Whale watching is a fun experience to try if you're out near the California coast sometime. Even if you don't see a whale, you'll see other marine life. Bring your camera along as well so you can get some pictures of the harbor. I'd recommend a video camera if you want to remember the marine life however, as everything moves pretty fast. If you haven't been whale watching before and can afford it, I'd highly recommend it!