Information about Whale Watching in Orange County California
Information about Whale Watching in Orange County California
Blue whales and Gray Whales are the most common whales you will see when Whale Watching in the Orange County area, but it is also possible to see many other types of whales as well. My first choice for whale watching in Orange County, does a great job at finding these mammals for you. Blue Whales, the largest mammals in the world, have been making appearances frequently in Orange County waters. Fin Whales and Minke Whales have also been seen more often and Humpbacks are always a possibility as are various other species of whales and sometimes Orcas.
Dolphin can also be seen with great regularity and can actually be more exciting to watch than whales. Common Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphin are most frequently seen with Risso's Dolphin and Pacific White Sided Dolphin also spotted with regularity. Other Dolphin and Porpoise species are also possible as are seals and sea lions.
(individual pages to come)
Whale Watching in Newport Beach - Newport Harbor Area
Newport Beach has very enjoyable harbor. The harbor features the Balboa Fun Zone with carnival rides, games, shops and restaurants and there is no admission fee. Some of the loveliest beaches Southern California has to offer line the Newport Beach peninsula. The easiest parking is across the street from the Fun Zone on the Balboa Pier side of Balboa Blvd. You might find free parking on the streets but it will probably just be easier opting for the parking lot or parking structure adjacent to Newport Landing. There are several whale watching companies (all year round) as well as Harbor cruises and a myriad of other recreation options.
Whale Watching companies in Newport Beach/Balboa
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Newport Landing Whale Watching - Newport Landing whale watching is my favorite! Year round whale watching from a whale watching ship made for whale watching. They just started doing the year round whale watching trip last year and it was a blast. Unlike some of the more northern locals in Southern California, the seas always seem to be mild and the water blue. I came out during the summer whale watching cruises and had multiple blue whale sightings, two species of dolphin numbering in the thousands, sea lions, huge schools of fish, and even a thresher shark sighting. The great thing about whale watching with Newport Landing is that they stay the required distance from the whales but are very good at making the most out of each sighting with prolonged viewing opportunities. The narration is some of the best in southern California. During the Gray Whale migration, it is not uncommon to see a half dozen Gray Whales in one outing and many times just outside the harbor entrance. Beautiful coastline, abundant sea life, and top notch whale watching ship make this the operation to beat for whale watching in Southern California.
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Fun Zone Boat Company - The Fun Zone Boat Company is also one of my favorites with year round whale watching as well as the Gray Whale migration. Located right on the boardwalk next to the Ferris wheel, there are all kinds of fun things to do before and after your whale watching trip. The Fun Zone Boat Company is primarily a harbor cruise group but their whale watching tours are great. Lots of sightings and mild ocean conditions make Fun Zone Boat Company a great choice for the first time whale watcher.
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Davey's Locker – Davey’s Locker offers year round whale watching cruises and is right up there with Newport Landing. Located in the famous Balboa Pavilion built at the turn of the 20th century, Davey’s Locker has a long history. Partnered with the American Cetaction Society and providing thousands of school kids their first whale watching experience, Davey’s Locker is a great option. They are great with families and kids and I have gotten as much enjoyment from watching families seeing their first whale as any viewing for myself. I think this is what whale watching is all about getting people to view these magnificent creatures in their own environment. You can’t compare this to seaworld or a discovery channel special and I think that is great. For those with a sweet tooth, stop by Balboa Candy before boarding.
Whale Watching in Dana Point - Dana Point Harbor
Dana Point Harbor is a nice Harbor to visit and they do whale watching trips from there as well. The harbor is scenic and peaceful, if not a little boring with lots of shops and some places to eat including restaurants with nice harbor views. Free parking is available though may be hard to find on a busy or event weekend such as the Dana Point Festival of Whales. For Whale Watching, the Dana Point Harbor is better than some and doesn’t compare to others. It is relatively quick to get through the harbor which is similar to Newport Harbor. This really does save precious Whale Watching time.
Whale Watching companies in Dana Point
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Dolphin Safari - Dolphin Safari is an enjoyable company to go out with and the first of two that I would recommend out of Dana Point. They have a catamaran that holds up to twenty two passengers and they also have year round whale watching cruises. They take their whale watching cruises pretty seriously and have a pretty good success rate. As with some of the other Catamaran options there is limited space and amenities are not comparable to larger traditional whale watching ships. There is a restroom onboard but it requires climbing down a ladder which might be difficult for some. The price at $55 is a little expensive for me, but might not be for some. I think the biggest drawback is being exposed to the elements. It can get really cold on the water and if it is drizzly to boot, I couldn’t imagine it being too enjoyable. For whale watching in Dana Point this is the best option, unless you can drive the twenty minutes north to Newport Beach.
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Dana Island Yachts - provides seasonal whale watching sailboat cruises during the Gray Whale migration. These sail boats only hold up to 6 passengers. The price is hard to believe at only $35 per person which includes a captain. There are some amenities onboard including a restroom, but this trip would not be the best for those with physical challenges. The narration and viewing opportunities are not up to the standards of some of the better whale watching operations in Southern California. There is limited indoor space and viewing can be a trade off between enduring the elements and not missing a potential sighting. Not my cup of tea, but might be for some.
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Ocean Institute - offers weekend marine mammal cruises during the Gray Whale migration. Their schedule is hard to pin down and they currently offer only fifteen or so cruises each season. With that said this is a neat option with the best narration in Dana Point. Plankton nets, video microscopes, sediment samplers, and other neat gadgets make this cruise an immersion in science. I have yet to join them as it is tough to coordinate with their schedule. The primary whale watching ship is a traditional ship with lots of amenities. They have the makings of a great whale watching operation, except being dedicated to whale watching. It may seem pretty simple to find whales and dolphin, but their is a lot of thought and planning to consistently finding these marine mammals. More time is spent on science projects then is spent searching on the water for whales and dolphin. The more time spent searching the better the viewings will be day in and day out.
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Dana Wharf Sport Fishing - Dana Wharf Sport Fishing does seasonal whale watching during the Gray Whale migration. As the name suggests this is a sportfishing operation that also does whale watching to fill in. They do seem to have a lot of advertising for whale watching. Their primary whale watching ship is a large fishing boat. They pack in the passengers, and on the weekends it is down right uncomfortable. With better options located right in Dana Point and Newport Beach nearby, I would save my money and try elsewhere.
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Aventura Sailing - offers a large array of boats that you drive yourself. Based on your nautical experience this could be a decent choice for doing multiple activities which might include whale watching. As with most ‘you drive’ options you will be handicapped both in knowledge of the most productive viewing areas and narration. Unless you have a background in marine biology or are a dedicated whale watching enthusiast. For the more experienced this could be a fun adventure.
Whale Watching in Huntington Beach - Huntington Harbor
There doesn't seem to be any commercial Whale Watching boats in Huntington Harbor/Huntington Beach. It seems to be mostly private boats though you may be able to find a charter. If you know of any Whale Watching from Huntington Beach email me below. Otherwise your best bet is to head down to Newport Beach for some Whale Watching.
(more information and pages to come - if you know of any other Whale Watching companies in Orange county please let us know)
During my Whale Watching trips out of Orange County California I have seen numerous Cetacean and Pinniped species. There are many more that can be seen and I will hopefully add to my list someday. So far I have seen....
Gray Whales
Fin Whales
*possible Bryde's Whale (or a juvenile Fin)
Common Dolphin
Bottlenose Dolphin
Pacific White Sided Dolphin
Risso's Dolphin
California Sealions
Harbor Seals
One fantastic trip I saw three different species of Dolphin on the same trip. You can find Sealions at every Harbor and lounging on the buoys on your way out Whale Watching.
Need a place to stay on your trip? Try Orange County vacation rentals.
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