Just a few miles off San Diego's coastline is one of the busiest migratory routes for whales on planet earth. Each spring and summer thousands of whales from Humpbacks, Gray, Orcas, Minke, Fin, and Blue whales travel north from the the warm waters of Baja Mexico, where they spent their winters, to the cooler but food rich waters of Alaska. They will pass by San Diego again on their return to Baja Mexico in late fall and winter. Gray whales can travel more than 14,000 miles on their yearly migration up and down the pacific coast.
Who, When and Where
Gray Whale - Averages about 50 feet in length, weighs 40 tons and can live 50-70 years
Sseaon Dec-April
Mid-December through April is the southbound Gray Whale migration. Gray whales are headed south to the warm waters Baja California. Females have a 12-13 month gestation period, and give birth to a single calf every two or more years. Calves nurse for seven to eight months on milf that is 53% fat (human milk is 2% fat). At birth, calves average 15 feet in length and weigh 1100 to 1500lbs. The rich milk helps the calf gain between 50-70lbs a day. This helps the calf get stronger and healthier for its big swim back north to arctic fishing summer grounds. Generally calves will continue to nurse and or stay close to their mother for eight months to year. Mother and Calf sightings are common in the late spring/ early summer time as they trek north.
Gray whales have been frequently spotted near shore of the past few years with one or more juvenile gray whales entering the waters of Mission Bay. You might be able to spot them from areas like La Jolla Cove, Torrey Pines Bluff. There are a number of Whale watching companies that depart various locations around San Diego.
Blue Whales- Largest animal on earth can reach a 100 feet in length and weigh 200 tons. Lifespan 80-90 years
Migration Season June - September
Blue Whales, the largest animal to have ever existed on earth, was once near the brink of extinction as it was hunted by humans for its oil rich blubber in the early 1900s. Then in the late 1960s international laws were introduced to prevent the trading of whale products. The Blue Whale is still listed on the Endangered Species list as only 15-25000 individual remain. Climate Change, water quality and food source availability are now the main factors in the Blue Whale ability to comeback.
What does the largest animal on earth eat? Well one of the smallest animals on earth. The Blue Whale is a Baleen Whale and eats primarily the crustacean called krill. And lots of it,. Almost 6 tons a day. There are number of underwater canyons a few miles off shore from San Diego were cooler and plancton rich water get pushed to the surface attracting large numbers of krill. That's were you will find the blue whales gorging on krill.
View Whales from Land or by Sea
There are a number of different ways to experience whale watching in San Diego both from land and on sea. We will start with land based locations. The are a number of underwater canyons just off shore that provide a rich feeding ground and the depth needed for baleen whales to remain close to shore while they dive for fish and krill crustacean. There are areas north and south of San Diego that have bluff and cliff areas that look out over the ocean.
North of San Diego
places include Birch Aquarium at Scripps, the Self Realization Fellowship Temple in Encinitas , and the Torrey Pines State Reserve
West of San Diego
Places include Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, La Jolla Cove, Sunset Cliffs
By Sea
There are number of tour operators in San Diego that a variety of whale watching experience from a couple of hours to all day trips. If you are in town during Blue Whale migration getting on a boat is the best way to hear, see and yes smell these gentle giants, since they tend to stay farther out to sea.
Whale watch Tour Operators
San Diego Whale Watch
Flagship Cruises San Diego
Adventure Whale Watching
Gone Whale Watching
