What better way to see the worlds largest mammal, than on a beautiful Fall night in San Diego. Blue whales, the largest creatures on earth and thought to be among the most endangered of the great whales, may be found off the coast of San Diego mid-June through September. In fact, the largest group of blue whales in the world, some 2,000 to 3,000, feed off the California coast during the summer months. These magnificent mammals, who can be 100-feet, give away their location by spouting a 30-foot column of water in the air that can be seen from miles away. The migratory patterns of blue whales have been tracked from the Antarctic to California to Costa Rica. Changes in ocean temperatures and the abundance of krill over the past few years have attracted far more blue whales to San Diego’s coast than in the past. Since blue whales tend to be found further out to sea than their grey whale cousins, it’s recommend to venture on a boat trip versus viewing from the shore in order to catch a glimpse of these incredible leviathans.
*KIDS FREE THE MONTH OF OCTOBER!*
Most blue whale watching tours start in San Diego’s Big Bay and since the migration takes place out in the deep waters of the Pacific, Blue Whale Watching cruises can last up to four hours.
When exiting the bay, most cruises pass massive active and retired military vessels like the USS Midway Museum, and historic landmarks that dot the Bayfront like the lighthouse at the Cabrillo National Monument.
In terms of wildlife, expect to see plenty of blue whales, finback whales (the world’s second largest whale), humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions.
To help you identify the amazing fauna you will encounter, many cruise companies provide printed information guides and some even have naturalists from local museums like the San Diego Natural History Museum or the Birch Aquarium at Scripps to narrate the cruise. Crew members will also be on the lookout for spouts to make sure you don’t miss these amazing creatures.
Make sure to bring a camera, preferably one with a zoom lens to capture close up shots of a blue whale as it breaches the water.
Clothing-wise, bring sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and a jacket to put on as the weather cools farther out onto the water.
Don’t worry about packing any food. Most tour companies will provide either complimentary or for-purchase snacks and drinks on board.