Few creatures on earth inspire the same amount of awe as whales, especially when seen in their natural habitat. Part of the reason is that they are some of the largest animals on earth, not to mention some of the smartest besides humans. If you want to see them in person and either live in California or are visiting, then consider taking a whale watching Catalina Island tour.
Catalina Island is an ideal spot to see whales because many different types are there during the winter months. They migrate there during winter from Alaska because the waters in the area are much warmer than Alaska. Here, they either mate to try and get pregnant, or if they are already pregnant, they nest here to give birth before returning back to arctic waters.
You will have the opportunity to see many different whale species in this area, which is why it is such a huge draw each winter. The largest ones you can see includes humpbacks, blue and gray whales. There are also fin back and minke whales, as well as orcas, which moat people refer to as killer whales in the area.
When you look for a tour to join, you will have lots of options. The biggest one is deciding the size of boat you want to ride on to watch. There are smaller, speedboat type options that only seat small parties or individuals. They go very fast and bring you as close as possible to the whales.
If a speedy, up close and personal encounter is not quite your bag, then perhaps the larger boats that are slower and more leisurely is your speed. These often have a snack bar to buy food and drinks, and an inside area that is climate controlled. It is the best options for families with small children, or if anyone in your party has special mobility needs, such as needing a wheelchair or walker to get around. This is by far the more common trip that people book.
The length of tour is the next thing you need to decide. Shorter trips that last only a few hours for those in time crunch are available, as well as all day tours that let you have a much longer lasting experience with the chance to see more whales. Finally, there are overnight ones that let you have the full experience.
In addition to the aforementioned whales, you may also be able to see dolphins and porpoises that that live in the area. Many seals and birds also live in the vicinity, including seagulls and the national treasure bald eagles.
Make sure you book in advance, as tours do fill up quickly. You will also want to keep an eye on the weather, as bad weather can cause the waters to get choppy, which could in turn force the operators to cancel the tour. If the weather is looking bad, call your tour operator and ask if the boats are still going out before heading to the pier.
Catalina Island is an ideal spot to see whales because many different types are there during the winter months. They migrate there during winter from Alaska because the waters in the area are much warmer than Alaska. Here, they either mate to try and get pregnant, or if they are already pregnant, they nest here to give birth before returning back to arctic waters.
You will have the opportunity to see many different whale species in this area, which is why it is such a huge draw each winter. The largest ones you can see includes humpbacks, blue and gray whales. There are also fin back and minke whales, as well as orcas, which moat people refer to as killer whales in the area.
When you look for a tour to join, you will have lots of options. The biggest one is deciding the size of boat you want to ride on to watch. There are smaller, speedboat type options that only seat small parties or individuals. They go very fast and bring you as close as possible to the whales.
If a speedy, up close and personal encounter is not quite your bag, then perhaps the larger boats that are slower and more leisurely is your speed. These often have a snack bar to buy food and drinks, and an inside area that is climate controlled. It is the best options for families with small children, or if anyone in your party has special mobility needs, such as needing a wheelchair or walker to get around. This is by far the more common trip that people book.
The length of tour is the next thing you need to decide. Shorter trips that last only a few hours for those in time crunch are available, as well as all day tours that let you have a much longer lasting experience with the chance to see more whales. Finally, there are overnight ones that let you have the full experience.
In addition to the aforementioned whales, you may also be able to see dolphins and porpoises that that live in the area. Many seals and birds also live in the vicinity, including seagulls and the national treasure bald eagles.
Make sure you book in advance, as tours do fill up quickly. You will also want to keep an eye on the weather, as bad weather can cause the waters to get choppy, which could in turn force the operators to cancel the tour. If the weather is looking bad, call your tour operator and ask if the boats are still going out before heading to the pier.
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