Every year as the Eastern Pacific gray whale migrates from the Bering Sea to lagoons in Baja California, people from all over the world travel to San Diego to witness the event during what is known as whale-watching season ” a window that extends from late December through early April.
According to Rebecca Milkey, director of marketing for Hornblower Cruises, one of San Diego’s many whale-watching tour groups and among the first of the season to begin tours, visitors come not only from across the United States but internationally as well.
She said each whale-watching excursion differs, but most trips will see some form of marine life, whether it is sea lions, seals or dolphins.
Milkey posts sightings on their website, www.sandiegowhale watching.com, listing how many and what types of animals are sighted during each cruise.
In the first week of tours, Hornblower has seen thousands of Pacific white-sided dolphins and a handful of Risso dolphins, but has yet to see any whales.
She said that besides dolphins and whales, other marine life is often spotted during whale-watching tours, including sea lions, squid, mola mola and ocean sunfish.
Hornblower and many other whale-watching cruises guarantee whale-sightings. However, that does not mean that a whale will be seen on every cruise.
Milkey said Hornblower’s guarantee states that if whales are not viewed on the excursion, each person on the cruise will receive a pass for a future Hornblower whale-watching cruise, which can also be used as a harbor cruise and sea lion adventure pass.
Many cruises include expert commentary from naturalists, information packets and displays of fossils and other artifacts. Tours typically last between three to three and a half hours.
“We discovered that people who like to go whale watching, they don’t just want to see whales,” Milkey said regarding Hornblower’s decision to partner with the San Diego Natural History Museum. “They want to learn more about the geography of San Diego, the history of the bay; they want to learn more about marine life.”
Whale-watching tours have gained popularity since 1970, when the gray whale was placed on the endangered species list. They were removed from the list in 1994.
Big tour boats are not the only way to see the whales in action. La Jolla-based Hike, Bike, Kayak, Inc. offers whale-watching trips by kayak, although there are some advantages to going the big boat route.
“You can see whale spouts from as far away as a mile on a clear day,” Milkey said of the boat’s elevation, compared to sea level. “That’s a big difference from being right down on the water.”
Hornblower also offers hot drinks and food at its snack bar, which is located in the heated interior of the boat.
Milkey suggests that adventurers wear layers of clothing for a chilly ocean voyage and that visitors bring a camera, binoculars or video camera.
Milkey also reminds those susceptible to motion sickness to remember to take motion-sickness medication a half-hour before departure.
Tour Information:
Boat Tours
Hornblower Cruises “” Cost: Adults $30 Monday through Friday, $35 Saturday and Sunday. Children ages 4 to 12: $15. Tours twice daily at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Info: www.hornblower.com, call 619-686-8715.
Harbor Cruise & Birch Aquarium “” Cost: Adults 13 and up: $27 Monday through Friday, $30 Saturday and Sunday. Children ages 4 to 12 with paid adult: $15. Tours twice daily at 9:45 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Info: San Diego Harbor Excursion 619-234-4111.
Islandia Sportfishing Ltd. “” Cost: $25. Info: (619) 222-1164.
H & M Landing “” 3-hour tours cost: $17.50-$25. Five-hour tours cost: $40-$50. Tours depart at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Info: www.hmlanding.com, call (619) 222-1144.
Dive Bliss “” Cost: $35-$75. Tour departs at 8 a.m. Info: www.divebliss.com, (619) 200-5852.
Airborne Tours
Biplane, Air Combat & Warbird Adventures airborne tours “” Cost: $311-$624. Info: (760) 930-0903.
Kayak Tours
Hike, Bike, Kayak, Inc. “” Cost: $60 per person in single kayak; $50 per person in tandem kayaks, includes equipment, guide, wet suit and hot drinks, snacks after. Info: (858) 551-9510.
Baja Tours
Birch Aquarium “” Cost: $500-$885. Tours run four to five days. Info: (858) 534-7336.
H & M Landing “” Cost: vary. Tours run nine to 11 days. Info: (619) 226-1729 or (619) 226-8224.