Hornblower Whale Watching Cruise in San Diego
California Trips to See Eastern Pacific Gray Whales and Dolphins
Oct 2, 2009
Going on a whale watching cruise is an absolute must for visitors to San Diego, one of the best vacation destinations in Southern California. Several cruises leave from the harbor, a short walk from downtown, every day in the whale watching season. Hornblower Cruises operate some of the best whale watching cruises, with volunteer docents on board from the San Diego Natural History Museum.
What to Expect from a Hornblower Whale Watching Cruise
While waiting to set sail, the volunteers from the San Diego Natural History Museum walk around the boat giving talks, with lots of information and humor, on what to expect from the whale watching cruise. They show passengers what to look for and give tips for spotting whales and other marine creatures at sea, helping them make the most of the experience.
The boat will head out to the 9-Mile Bank, so-called because it's nine miles offshore from San Diego, where the sea bed suddenly falls away to a depth of over 3,000 feet. If the whales are heading north they follow this bank, though when they migrate south they swim closer to the shore.
Seeing Eastern Pacific Gray Whales on a San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
It's the Eastern Pacific Gray Whale that is most commonly seen on these whale watching cruises. The population is thought to be about 22,000, and they all swim past the Southern California coast on their annual migration from the cold waters of Alaska to the warmer seas off Baja California. Here they give birth and then turn around and swim back to Alaska in time for the summer.
Other Wildlife on San Diego Whale Watching Cruises
On their way to and from the best whale watching areas, boats usually find dolphins, seals and sea lions, cormorants, pelicans, and other sea birds. The boats also take in a tour of San Diego Harbor, where close-up views of some of the local sea creatures is guaranteed, from sea lions swimming alongside the boat to huge flocks of cormorants squabbling for territory.
As the ship approaches the inner harbor on its return, the captain often points out historic and modern military vessels that anchor here, as well as landmarks along the San Diego skyline.
The Best Time for San Diego Whale Watching Cruises
December/January is the peak time for the northern migration of Eastern Pacific Gray Whales, although the migration usually starts in November and runs through till about March. In 2009 it went on longer, until about May. From June/July through to September, there are migrations of blue whales and humpback whales. And then it is almost time for the grey whales to quit Alaska and head off on their winter vacation in Mexico.
So there is almost no time of year when there isn't the possibility of something to see in the Southern California waters off San Diego, but December/January is the peak time for anyone who particularly wants a vacation that includes a whale watching cruise. Hornblower Cruises also guarantees a free ticket for another cruise if no whales are spotted. Booking ahead is advised.
San Diego Whale Watching Cruises: Contact Details
To find out more visit the website for Hornblower San Diego Whale Watching Cruises.
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