Best Time For Southern California Whale Watching

If you are a whale lover, then Southern California is the place to be. Known as a whale watcher’s paradise, this place offers you frequent glimpses of rare species of whales like Pilot Whales, Cuvier’s Beaked Whales, Killer Whales, Pygmy Sperm Whales, Stejnegers Beaked Whales and False Killer Whales. However, the key to get the maximum views is by planning a Southern California Whale Watching Tour during the best time. Although, whale watching can be done in Southern California round the year but there are some peak seasons to go for it.

Whale Watching in Winter

It won’t be wrong to state that one of the best times to plan a Southern California Whale Watching Tour is the winter season starting from the month of October lasting up to February and March. However, experts believe that the best time for whale watching at this place is in the first quarter of the year that is between January and April. It is during this season that the most commonly found whale species called the Gray Whales are seen migrating about 6,000 miles towards south California for mating and calving in the comfortable lagoons located in Baja, Mexico. Whale watchers can easily see a number of shining white gray whales as long as 52 feet in length jumping off water and going ahead towards north during the winter season.

Whale Watching in Spring

Next season to consider while planning a Southern California Whale Watching Tour is the spring season that starts from April and lasts up to June. However, this season is not much preferred by whale lovers, as only some rare whales are sighted during this time of the year. Humpback Whales that are 40 -50 feet king can be seen during the spring season in Southern California. These whales are considered to be the most active and acrobatic whales that show breaching and slapping in a happy mood to the watchers. 

Apart from the winter and spring season, whale watchers can also check out the summer season especially if they wish to spot the endangered North Pacific Blue Whales in the waters of Southern California. However, whatsoever season you choose to plan a whale watching tour here, you must first contact the local reporters before booking your tickets to avoid any sort of later disappointments.