Whales are one of those creatures that humans cannot seem to get enough of, and for good reason. They are huge, reaching over 100 feet in length in some cases, and they are intelligent and warm blooded, just like people. If you want to see them out in the wild, there are a few ways to do it, but none are more fun or exciting as a whale watching Catalina Island tour.
The waters around Catalina Island stay relatively warm, especially in winter, compared to the more Arctic waters around Alaska, where many of the Catalina whales spend their summers. But in winter, they will come south to mate or give birth before swimming back up to the Alaska area. This gives tourists and locals the perfect chance to see them all winter long.
During the peak mating and nesting season, there are many species in the area that you will get a chance to glimpse in their natural habitat. Many people come for the largest ones, which includes humpbacks, grays and blue whales. You may also glimpse orcas, also known as killer whales, mikes and fin backs as well.
When it it time to book your tour, the kind of experience you want will dictate which one you book. There are large boats, but also smaller ones not much bigger than a speedboat. These are able to go faster to bring you closer to the action when some of the whales begin to surface, letting you really get close.
There are many reasons to take the smaller vessel, and many reasons not to. Perhaps you want a slower pace, more relaxed experience. Or, if you have a walker, wheelchair or an elderly person in your party who needs assistance getting around, then the larger barge-like boats are a much better option. The are also better for families, especially if you have a service dog or children who will need to be attended to while you are watching for the whales.
You can take a short tour that only lasts a couple of hours if you are short on time. If you have all day, then a day tour that comes back in the evening is ideal. You can even book an overnight experience where you stay in a room on a nearby island, allowing you to maximize the amount of whales you can see.
Besides the many species of whales, there may be plenty of other creatures to see in the area on a good day. Besides seagulls and other marine birds, you may be able to spot bald eagles on occasion. In the water, look out for dolphins and harbor porpoises that sometimes congregate.
Your best bet to ensure you get a spot on a boat is to book in advance, especially if you have a large party. Just make sure that you keep an eye on the weather. In windy or rainy times, the waters may become too choppy for the boats to safely operate. Call ahead to ensure the boat is still going out before you leave for the pier to ensure the tour is still on.
The waters around Catalina Island stay relatively warm, especially in winter, compared to the more Arctic waters around Alaska, where many of the Catalina whales spend their summers. But in winter, they will come south to mate or give birth before swimming back up to the Alaska area. This gives tourists and locals the perfect chance to see them all winter long.
During the peak mating and nesting season, there are many species in the area that you will get a chance to glimpse in their natural habitat. Many people come for the largest ones, which includes humpbacks, grays and blue whales. You may also glimpse orcas, also known as killer whales, mikes and fin backs as well.
When it it time to book your tour, the kind of experience you want will dictate which one you book. There are large boats, but also smaller ones not much bigger than a speedboat. These are able to go faster to bring you closer to the action when some of the whales begin to surface, letting you really get close.
There are many reasons to take the smaller vessel, and many reasons not to. Perhaps you want a slower pace, more relaxed experience. Or, if you have a walker, wheelchair or an elderly person in your party who needs assistance getting around, then the larger barge-like boats are a much better option. The are also better for families, especially if you have a service dog or children who will need to be attended to while you are watching for the whales.
You can take a short tour that only lasts a couple of hours if you are short on time. If you have all day, then a day tour that comes back in the evening is ideal. You can even book an overnight experience where you stay in a room on a nearby island, allowing you to maximize the amount of whales you can see.
Besides the many species of whales, there may be plenty of other creatures to see in the area on a good day. Besides seagulls and other marine birds, you may be able to spot bald eagles on occasion. In the water, look out for dolphins and harbor porpoises that sometimes congregate.
Your best bet to ensure you get a spot on a boat is to book in advance, especially if you have a large party. Just make sure that you keep an eye on the weather. In windy or rainy times, the waters may become too choppy for the boats to safely operate. Call ahead to ensure the boat is still going out before you leave for the pier to ensure the tour is still on.
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