Blue Whale Sightings - Santa Barbara!
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Whale Watching on California's Coast
Join Monterey Bay Whale Watch Center and their marine biologists for a voyage around Monterey Bay. Located on the Pier of Fisherman's Wharf Monterey, tours are available twice daily. Visit the Center to browse a variety of books, posters and marine life items, including the new DVD from Monterey Bay Whale Watch by Nancy Black, head biologist and expert on Killer Whales (Orcas). (see article below)
831-375-4658 www.gowhales.com
Life with a little splash! Santa Barbara's Condor Express is a unique hydroplane jet boat that skims the water at incredible speeds. Voted #1 Whale Watching Vessel in Santa Barbara, the Condor Express travels to the Channel Islands and its beaches and caverns. Captain Fred Benko and his crew welcomes visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of California's Riviera and see its marine wildlife. Experts on board explain the whale migrations along the California Coast.
888-77-WHALE or 805-993-0088 www.condorcruises.com
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium is a fun, fact filled experience and a unique family adventure. Exhibits focus on rare glimpses of exotic sea creatures from large to small. Narrated by aquarium experts, several shows include feedings occuring throughout the day. It is located at the south end of Cannery Row, Monterey.
The Monterey Aquarium
Whales and Islands
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The Santa Barbara Channel is famous for its year round whale population. Over 27 species of whales, dolphins and por poises come into the channel at different times of the year, making this area one of the top whale watching areas in the world. Another attraction to summertime whale watching in this area is the opportunity to visit the Channel Islands, a spectacular group of wilderness islands often referred to as the Galapagos of North America. While the waters in the channel are the summertime feeding grounds for humpback whales and the giant blue whales, as well as many different species of dolphins and porpoises, the islands and their surrounding waters are home to seals, sea lions and many species of seabirds and the scenery is spectacular. For many passengers, the highlight of their trip is the cruise along the volcanic, rugged, cliffs at Santa Cruz Island, and a visit to the spectacular Painted Cave, one of the world’s largest sea caves. We generally include a coastline cruise at the islSanta Barbara by Captain Fred Benko,
Santa Barbara Condor Express
ands on our 4 1/2 hour island whale watching cruises. The summer months are the prime time to view the giant blue whales, the largest animal ever to have lived on our planet. These fabulous animals can attain lengths of 85 feet and weigh 150 tons. They literally have a tongue the size of an African elephant, the largest land animal on earth, and are in the channel to feed on the krill which is abundant in this area. We also frequently see fin whales, minke whales and, everybody’s favorite, the friendly humpback whales. These humpback whales are known for their friendly, and often bizarre, behavior. They regularly come to boats and people, sometimes playing with the boat for an hour at a time - behavior we call ìmuggingî because when they are all around us we can’t even leave for fear of hurting the animals – they are holding us hostage. They are definitely crowd pleasers. While whales can be seen at any time of the year in Santa Barbara, the peak months for the whales of summer are May, June, July and August. (See the whale calendar on our website. There are a lot of critters near the islands. Someone once said it’s like cetacean soup out there.
If you are interested in experiencing this spectacle of nature, contact the CONDOR Express by calling, toll free, 1- 888 -77WHALE. www.condorcruises.com
Whales and islands, it’s a fabulous wildlife experience.
The Whale Seasons
Monterey Bay, a spectacular place to view a diversity of whales, dolphins, and porpoise at any time of year. It’s renowned as a destination for people from throughout the world who want to experience the wonders of these magnificent and intelligent creatures. Monterey Bay may look like a little blip along the coast in the big picture but even though it’s a relatively small area the Bay is a feeding location and migration path for up to 26 different species of marine mammals. What makes this area so special is its location along the coast within a major upwelling zone (area of high productivity) and its bathymetric features, primarily the deep submarine canyon that bisects the Bay. Located along the central California coast, Monterey Bay contains the largest and deepest submarine canyon in North America and it's one of the few canyons that bisects the coastline so close to shore. This allows deep-water species of marine mammals and seabirds to be found relatively nearshore and accessible for day whale watches. This region is extremely productive and rich biologically due to coastal upwelling and bathymetric features. Monterey Bay's continental shelf and Submarine Canyon support a variety of habitats with one of the highest diversities of marine mammals in the world. Monterey Bay is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and one of the few places in the world where whale watching is conducted year-round.
by Nancy Black
Marine Biologist, Monterey Whale Watch Center
Monterey Bay, a spectacular place to view a diversity of whales, dolphins, and porpoise at any time of year. It’s renowned as a destination for people from throughout the world who want to experience the wonders of these magnificent and intelligent creatures. Monterey Bay may look like a little blip along the coast in the big picture but even though it’s a relatively small area the Bay is a feeding location and migration path for up to 26 different species of marine mammals. What makes this area so special is its location along the coast within a major upwelling zone (area of high productivity) and its bathymetric features, primarily the deep submarine canyon that bisects the Bay. Located along the central California coast, Monterey Bay contains the largest and deepest submarine canyon in North America and it's one of the few canyons that bisects the coastline so close to shore. This allows deep-water species of marine mammals and seabirds to be found relatively nearshore and accessible for day whale watches. This region is extremely productive and rich biologically due to coastal upwelling and bathymetric features. Monterey Bay's continental shelf and Submarine Canyon support a variety of habitats with one of the highest diversities of marine mammals in the world. Monterey Bay is part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and one of the few places in the world where whale watching is conducted year-round.
As winter approaches, Californians look forward to one of the most
spectacular animal migrations known, the yearly trek of over 23,000
Gray Whales from their feeding grounds in the Bering Sea to their
breeding grounds off Baja California and back again. After being hunted
to the brink of extinction twice, the Gray Whale population rebounded
successfully enough and was removed from the endangered species list.
The Gray Whales migrate in shallow nearshore waters and in some
locations their distant blows are easily visible from shore. Monterey
Bay is one of the best places to view these whales as they are most
concentrated and migrate closer to shore here than other places along
their migration. Whale watching from boats has become very popular in
Monterey and along the California coast. People of all ages are
thrilled to spot pods of whales as they blow several times at the
surface then raise their flukes high out of the water before their 3-5
minute dive.
As the last Gray Whales head north in the spring, the first Humpback
Whales of the season arrive to Monterey and other areas along the
California coast to spend the summer and fall feeding on tons of
anchovies, sardines, and krill. Humpback Whales are one of the most
curious and acrobatic of all the whales and often exhibit "friendly"
behavior toward whale watching boats. Historically, Humpback Whales
were heavily hunted in Monterey Bay during the whaling era. The
Humpbacks were nearly all killed off and were finally protected in the
early 70's, and now number just over 1,000 whales in the population off
California. Each year, more and more whales are coming back to Monterey
Bay to feed as their population has doubled in the last 15 years.
Richard Ternullo, captain and biologist with Monterey Bay Whale Watch
commented, " I grew up fishing in Monterey Bay and have worked here for
30 years running natural history and whale watching trips. Last spring
I was awestruck to see over 100 Humpback Whales gorging themselves on
sardines and anchovies in the Bay. We even had whales herding fish next
to our boat with up to five whales lunging up through the surface
simultaneously with their mouths wide open to engulf the fish. I've
noticed the change over the years, from rarely seeing whales to now, watching them in abundance."
A few months after the Humpback Whales arrive to Monterey Bay, the
largest animal ever to live on earth, the majestic Blue Whale can be
found feeding along the steep Submarine Canyon on swarms of krill, a
small shrimp like animal, throughout the summer and fall. Blue Whales
were also heavily hunted and like the Humpback and Gray Whale appear to
be slowly recovering off the California coast. Other populations of
Blue Whales in other areas are not fairing so well. The waters off
California are the best place in the world to see Blue Whales. Just to
sight a Blue Whale is a once in a lifetime experience for many people.
They can reach lengths of over 90' and 200 tons, and need to eat about
4 tons of krill or 40 million individual krill a day!
In addition to the whales, thousands of dolphins and porpoise of eight
species frolic and feed in Monterey Bay and surrounding waters
year-round. Killer Whales, the top predator, and probably the most
intelligent of all the whales and dolphins, cruise along the coast
periodically in search of marine mammal prey. This "transient"
population of Killer Whales frequents the edges of Monterey's Canyon,
and range widely from southern California to Alaska. Never staying in
one place for long, they work by stealth and often catch their prey by
surprise. During the northern migration (April/May) of Gray Whale
cow/calf pairs, the Gray Whales must cross the deep canyon whereas
normally they would be in shallow waters. It is in the deep-water
habitat of the Monterey Canyon where Killer Whales are in search of
Gray Whale calves. Killer Whales travel in family groups and work
together to hunt the Gray Whale, often teaching their calves the
successful techniques that will enable the young Killer Whales to catch
their own food in the future.
Luckily, whales are now more valuable to watch than kill, and thousands
of whale watchers flock to see their antics year-round in Monterey Bay.
For more information about these magnificent animals and to track daily
sightings of whales and dolphins in Monterey Bay, look at Monterey Bay
Whale Watch’s website at www.gowhales.com.
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ART, ENTERTAINMENT, AUTO, HEALTH & LIFESTYLE and more…
California Tour & Travel Magazine Home • California Visitor Centers
Latest Events & Festivals by Chris Walker • Arts & Entertainment • Feature Story • CA Star Attractions • Whale Watching
Coast Lodging • High Sierra & Parks • Wineries • Vintage California • Noteworthy… California Book Reviews • San Francisco
San Diego • Santa Barbara • Orange County • Monterey • L.A. Cool Places • West L.A. • Hollywood • L.A. Star Attractions
L.A. Getaways • Yosemite National Park • 49er Gold Rush Highway • Tour & Travel Destinations • Tour & Travel Survey
California Native Cuture • Advertising & Marketing • California Photo Album • Contact /Request • California Marketplace
Hillcrest Country Inn, Calistoga, CA • Theme Parks
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