photo credit: Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Ahoy! Gray whales are making their way to warmer waters this winter,and you can be a part of the adventure! Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, is celebrating its 10th anniversary witnessing the annual epic journey of the gray whale migration with San Diego Harbor Excursion. Enjoy daily local whale watching tours featuring Scripps naturalists as well as whale watching expeditions to Baja California, Mexico.
Witness the longest mammal migration in the world, when approximately 20,000 gray whales pass San Diego on their annual, 10,000-mile round-trip journey from Bering Sea feeding grounds to Baja’s lagoons, where they play, rest,
breed and give birth. Come join the fun!
Daily Whale Watching Cruises
Dec. 26 through April 4
Daily tours: 9:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. or 1:30-5 p.m.
Celebrate 10 years of whale watching with Scripps naturalists and San Diego Harbor Excursion as we venture out for twice-daily cruises to locate gray whales on their roundtrip migration from the Bering Sea to Baja’s breeding
grounds.
New! Detect and listen to whale and dolphin sounds in real time using our state-of-the-art research equipment from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Search for other marine life such as seals, sea lions, migrating birds and more. Get a close-up look and learn about gray whale baleen, barnacles and prey items from aquarium naturalists during the
cruise. Bring warm clothing and your binoculars for a memorable whale watching experience aboard a San Diego Harbor Excursion vessel, leaving daily from San Diego Bay.
RSVP: San Diego Harbor Excursion at 619-234-4111
Times: 9:45 a.m. ¬ 1:15 p.m. and 1:30 ¬ 5 p.m.
Public: $30 weekdays and $35 weekends
Youth (4-12 with paid adult): $15 daily
Extended Whale Watching in Baja California, Mexico
Travel south to Baja Mexico’s tranquil lagoons with Andiamo Tours Mexico and Birch Aquarium at Scripps naturalists to see gray whales up-close in three-and-a-half or five-day trips. You’ll be in the center of gray whale birthing grounds where whales and their calves play, rest and investigate their curious visitors. Hop aboard small boats for encounters with these
magnificent mammals in their temporary stopover waters. In addition to the lagoons, highlights include authentic cuisine, scenic views of Baja¹s desert and memorable stops along the way.
Travel is by private motor coach. Accommodations and most meals are included. For more detailed information regarding the trips, please visit www.andiamo-travel.com or aquarium.ucsd.edu.
Whale Watching Safari (5 Days)
March 24 ¬ 28
$740 per person in double occupancy
$920 single occupancy (subject to availability)
For more information about Birch Aquarium at Scripps’ whale programs and events, please call 858-534-7336 or visit http://aquarium.ucsd.edu
I have never been on a whale watching cruise, but it’s definitely on my list of things to do before I die. It sounds magical.
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I went whale watching in San Francisco. The boat road was great and we went out to the Farallon Islands. It was a very cold, wintry, December day and half the boat was puking because of 6 foot waves but…I did see the tail for about two seconds of a gray whale. It was so cool and BIG!
I never really thought about whale watching being one of the San Francisco attractions and the fun things to do in San Francisco.
If you live in the Bay Area the best whale watching is probably Monterey. That is next on my agenda! Anybody have any good tour company recommendations for whale watching in Monterey?
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I have been whale watching in Australia, they are amazing aren’t they, some of them can be huge – much bigger than you think they would be. We were also lucky enough to see pods of dolphins as well.
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