Whale Watching Seasons:
“Winter (December-February):
- Gray whales: These whales migrate south from their feeding grounds in Alaska to breed and give birth in the warmer waters off the coast of Baja California. They can often be seen on their way south in December, and on their return journey north in February.
Spring (March-May):
- Blue whales: These are the largest animals on earth, and they migrate northward from their winter breeding grounds in Mexico to feed on krill in the productive waters off the California coast. They are usually seen in April and May.
- Humpback whales: These whales also migrate north from their winter breeding grounds in Mexico, and can be seen off the coast of Southern California from late March through early December.
Summer (June-August):
- Fin whales: These whales are the second-largest animals on earth, and can be seen off the coast of Southern California during the summer months when they feed on krill and other small prey.
- Minke whales: These are the smallest baleen whales, and they can sometimes be seen in Southern California during the summer months.
Fall (September-November):
- Gray whales: As mentioned earlier, gray whales can be seen on their return journey north in September and October.”
Resource: https://newportwhales.com/whales-by-season-article.html
Marine Protected Area:
Laguna Beach is a Marine Protected Area, which protects all marine life by prohibiting the removal of marine wildlife from within its borders. Laguna Beach is the only city in California whose entire coast has been designated a boating & fishing-free zone since January 1, 2012. Since becoming an MPA, Laguna’s ocean life has flourished with one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems and thriving kelp forests and reefs!
Image: @yojuleru
Where to Whale Watch:
Because Laguna Beach is a boat-free zone, we recommend a few of our whale-watching partners in our neighboring cities for the ultimate experience:
Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari
Newport Landing Whale Watching
Image: @danawharf @gabeberghouse
