San Diego is one of the best places on the west coast to go whale watching. With large kelp forests just offshore that attract many ocean-going mammals, whale watchers don’t have to go far. We’re in the midst of whale watching season with more than 20,000 gray whales migrating from Alaska to the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. With San Diego making up 78 miles of coastlines within the migration path, it’s the perfect place to catch sight of them!
What Are Gray Whales
The gray whale, also known as the Pacific gray whale or the California Gray whale, is a baleen whale that migrates between feeding and breeding grounds yearly. They can reach a length of 49 feet (14.9 m) and weigh up to 41 tons (82,000 lbs.). They typically live to be 55 to 70 years of age. They have a dark slate-gray color and are covered by their characteristic whitish-gray patterns, scars left by the parasites they drop off in cold feeding grounds. When it’s time for reproduction, these whales migrate thousands of miles from Alaska to México. They make their way to San Diego, which is an excellent place for viewing them!
Gray Whale Migration Season
Gray whales start to leave their arctic feeding grounds in September, migrating south along the coastline to breed and calve in Baja California, México. These whales travel at an approximate speed of 5 miles an hour, making for an average of about 75 miles per day. Gray whales undertake one of the world’s longest migrations, making a yearly round trip of 15,000 – 20,000 km (9,320 – 12,427 miles). The best time to watch gray whales in San Diego is from December through mid-April. Other types of whales that you can also see this season include:
- Humpback whales
- Fin whales
- Minke whales
What Are the Best Places for Whale Watching?
There are a couple of great places to watch gray whales. The best sites include:
- La Jolla
- Ellen Browning Scripps Park
- The Birch Aquarium
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
- Cabrillo National Monument
What To Look For
There are several signs that’ll let you know that a gray whale is nearby. Things you should look out for while whale watching include the following:
The Blow or Spout
When whales exhale warm air into the cool ocean air, it creates what we call a spout or blow. A gray whale’s blow can spray up to 15 feet high! They’re visible for around five seconds. One can anticipate that the whales will dive for three minutes to six minutes and then surface for three to five blows in a row. They’re usually 30-50 seconds apart from each other.
The Tail
Before making a deep dive, gray whales usually display their 12-foot-wide fan-shaped tail. The weight of the tail above its body helps it dive deep into the water. This is a famous scene that whale watchers love to watch!
Knuckled Back and Footprint
If the whale is close enough and the lighting is just right, it’s possible to see the back of the whale during and after the blow. They’re generally dark gray, with a knuckled ridge along the spine. After a whale submerges, you may notice an elongated, smooth oval-shaped area of water that is calm and with little movement. This is known as the footprint; it identifies where the whale has been.
Breach & Splash
Gray whales can be seen hurling themselves out of the water and plunging back in with a tremendous splash. This is known as breaching. Scientists don’t know why exactly they do this, but it’s an astonishing sight! Many times, other whales in the area copy this behavior, so keep your eyes open for more!
Watching gray whales is an incredible experience. Whether it be from cruise or the shore, you’ll never grow tired of admiring their beauty. When it comes to observing sea life, there is no better way to do it than by scuba diving. Scuba diving allows you to see these amazing creatures up close. At Trident Divers we offer scuba tours with expert guides, classically trained in the sciences – their experience is what sets us apart. If you’d like to experience underwater life like never before, give us a call at (619) 415-9426 or click here to book a scuba tour or course with us today!
