Whale watching san francisco by season the great thing about whale watching in san francisco is you have the chance to admire the marine wildlife almost all year long. California, americas golden state is about 300 km wide and 1400 km long, stretching along the west coast of the pacific ocean. The gulf of the farallons national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. Whale watching near san francisco visit california. Whale watching san francisco whale tours, san francisco. Links are provided to the american cetacean society for additional species information. Humpback whale washes up on san francisco beach california. Our san francisco whale watch programs began in 1972, and have given thousands of people the opportunity to see and learn about the bay areas spectacular marine wildlife, including several species of whales, dolphins, seabirds, and much more. Humphrey the whale is a humpback whale which twice deviated from his mexico to alaska migration by entering san francisco bay. Sf bay whale watching north beachtelegraph hill san. Cruise past iconic landmarks aboard a coast guardcertified. You can also see them from land, especially from any part of the coastline that juts into the sea, where they typically come closest to land.
According to whale experts, an astounding 94 percent of migrating pacific gray whales pass within one mile of this protected peninsula some 27 miles north of san francisco january is the most whale happy month, when more than 1,000 of the massive mammals can pass this point each day. The imo amended the san francisco tss effective june 1, 20. Led by expert naturalists, full and half day boat tours are available almost every weekend, with opportunities to see blue, humpback, and gray whales, dolphins and porpoises, seals and sea lions, rare seabirds, and other marine life up close. Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip. The focus of the expedition is a search for the majestic giants of the oceanswhales including the blue, gray and humpback whales. The whale found monday on ocean beach was the ninth discovered in the san francisco bay area. If you want to see whales, head to the tip of point reyes national seashore from december through february. Download whale mapp for android whale alert west coast. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and.
If you are wondering what type of whales that you will see. The best places to whale watch in the bay area sfgate. California has some of the best marine wildlife viewing in the world. Oceanic society is a nonprofit marine conservation organization founded in san francisco in 1969. San francisco whale tours, san francisco, california. However it is certainly possible to see whales from the shore if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. Sometimes i get my feet caught in discarded nets, but my friends help me get free. The 90minute tour focuses on showing guests the myriad marine life found within the famous san francisco bay, including bird colonies, harbor seal communes, and sea lion citystates. The uscg maintains a vessel traffic service vts in the port of san francisco, and the tss is located entirely within the vts coverage area. How to help applied california current ecosystem studies. Farallon islands whale watching san francisco join us on a day trip from san francisco to the wonderful and wild farallon islands, one of the most exciting marine environments on earth. Whale migration details some of the whales and dolphins seen in our area, and the general migration patterns they have historically followed, are listed below. The skipper and owner of the boat wacky jacky is captain jacqueline douglas.
San jose whale watching deals in san jose, ca groupon. The largest whaling port on the west coast, 1880s foundsf. It borders on mexico to the south and oregon to the north. Ship strikes have been a recurring threat to whales around san francisco bay and other large ports. The whale alert app for apple or android download the app.
San francisco whale tours 2020 all you need to know. My family and i live in the foothills of the tehachapi mountains in california. The san francisco whale tours ecotour offers a chance to learn about the natural history and wildlife of the san francisco bay while experiencing breathtaking views of the city, the golden gate bridge, alcatraz and more. Whale alert west coast download whale alert for apple. The whale guardians of san francisco bay the silvery research vessel fulmar powers out to sea from san francisco, bounding off waves on its way to the farallon islands. Ninth dead whale found in san francisco bay area since march. Reducing whale fatalities along the california coast. Between middecember and april is the time when the gray whales eschrichtius robustus are seen on their annual migration, on the west coast, betweeen their. A dead humpback whale lies on baker beach, with the golden gate bridge in the background, in san francisco, tuesday, april 21, 2020.
Fed agency asks for private beach property to let dead whales rot in peaceat least 81 gray whale corpses have washed ashore in california, oregon, washington and alaska since jan. Take a sightseeing cruise across san francisco bay and glide under the golden gate bridge on this 2. This was taken may 18, 2008 from pier near fort point just inside the golden gate bridge. Help us keep track of the number of whales off san francisco and the us west coast. Search for humpback and gray whales along with more abundant porpoises, dolphins, and harbor seals while learning about the unique history and geology of the area from a professional naturalist on board. My favorite time to go is during the warmest time of the year, from september to october. Whale watching ocean safari trip for one, two, or four adults from sea spirit ocean safari up to 33% off. Montereys chilly and foodrich waters offer the perfect place for whales. Its western beaches, see pictures below, are in direct contrast to its deserts which border on the states of arizona and nevada to the east. The common name of the whale comes from the gray patches and white. Humpback whales are back under the golden gate bridge. Giants of the deep, an interactive new exhibit featuring enormous whale skeletons.
Last october, a 65footlong blue whale washed up dead on westmoor beach in daly city. On an ecofriendly catamaran, glide through san francisco bay and under the golden gate bridge to reach the open pacific, where youll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as. An expert naturalist will be on hand to narrate what you see and answer any questions you may have. Discover the marine life that calls the waters surrounding san francisco home on a whale watching cruise.
San francisco whale tours captain and crew safely ferry patrons across scenic waterways to explore the wonders of the bays ecological system. San francisco whale tours in san francisco, california. Sf bay whale watching whale watching tours in san francisco. California travel information and pictures bigfoto. San francisco whale tours offers exciting adventures from the san francisco bay to the pacific ocean and into the protected sanctuary of the farallon islands. Starting friday, april 3, 2015, visitors to the california academy of sciences can explore whales. Depart from pier 39 and enjoy views of alcatraz and the golden gate bridge. A team of dedicated volunteers work to free an entangled whale off the coast of california. Join us on a whale watching trip from san francisco or half moon bay. The spotter pro app download if you are ready to contribute to our efforts to reduce ship strikes to whales along the west coast, head to the coast on land or at sea just download the spotter pro app first. Oceanic society farallon islands whale watching san. Welcome to sf bay whale watching safely aboard our coast guard certified vessel, the experienced captain and crew will guide you through san francisco bay and out into the pacific. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and gray whales, this is a trip you will never forget.
If you are ready to contribute to our efforts to reduce ship strikes to whales along the west coast, head to the coast on land or at sea just download the whale alert app first download the whale alert 2. Use the code fmsa when making your reservation and the tour operator will make a donation to the farallones marine sanctuary association san francisco bay whale watching. Blue whale hit by ship found dead on northern california beach. San francisco whale watching is ready to take you out of san franciscos golden gate in search of several species of whales and other marine life of the california coast and the pacific ocean. Whale watching cruises operate from san diego, dana point, long beach, ventura, santa barbara, monterey, half moon bay and san francisco. The uscg maintains a vessel traffic service vts in the port of san francisco, and the.
Coastal california is home to four major shipping portssan diego, long. Learn about the history of whaling in san francisco with rangers from sf maritime national historical park. If you are ready to contribute to our efforts to reduce ship strikes to whales along the. Farallon islands whale watching from san francisco. According to whale experts, an astounding 94 percent of migrating pacific gray whales pass within one mile of this protected peninsula some 27 miles north of san francisco january is the most whalehappy month, when more than 1,000 of the massive mammals can pass this point each day. San francisco ap a severely decomposed young humpback whale washed ashore on a san francisco beach and experts said.
Look for humpback and blue whales, thousands of seabirds, dolphins, sea. The body of an endangered, 79footlong blue whale that washed ashore in marin county, california, had injuries consistent with being struck by a ship, according to an expert from the marine. Prime collision areas are concentrated around busy shipping lanes in the san francisco and channel islands regions. Click here to learn more about whale watching tours whale watching tours. Then keep your eyes peeled for humpback and grey whales the area is also a happy habitat for dolphins, sea lions, porpoises, and the occasional shark, all of which. My friends named me scavenger because im really good at searching for food. Dead whale washes ashore in bay area san francisco, ca patch. Sf whale tours offers you an exciting all day excursion to the protected sanctuary of the farallon islands to witness humpback whales and other wildlife. The gray whale eschrichtius robustus, also known as the grey whale, gray back whale, pacific gray whale, or california gray whale, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. Onms downloaded ship tracking, or automatic identification system ais, data. Humpback whales feast on fish in san francisco bay video. San francisco march 23, 2015 mighty and mysterious, colossal and charismaticwhales have captured our minds and inspired our wonder for centuries, yet remain some of the most elusive creatures on the planet.