Giants of the Sea

Perhaps one of the most iconic sights to see when visiting an oceanside locale is that of a whale breach through the surface of the water. There is something almost magical about it—giant flippers and tail on full display before they swim back down into the depths.

From the brisk waters of Alaska down to the warm coast of California, groups can work with a vast array of whale-watching tour operators along the West Coast to see these gentle giants in action—from gray whales and humpbacks to blue whales and orcas. And, for those traveling to Hawaii, there is one other excitable sea creature worth taking a boat excursion to see: dolphins.

One imperative bit of information to consider when going whale watching and choosing where to go is migration patterns. Orcas tend to hang around the waters off the coasts of California, Washington, and Oregon, though their movements can result in sightings almost anywhere in the Pacific Ocean. Humpback whales move up and down the Pacific coast throughout the year, while gray whales migrate south along the West Coast from November to February, heading down to birth their calves off the shores of Mexico, then heading back north to the Arctic for the summer months to feed.

Up in Alaska’s capital city of Juneau, humpback whales and orcas are some of the more common sea mammals you might see perusing the coastal waters, with humpbacks generally hanging around the area from April through November. Juneau Tours & Whale Watch offers whale-watching excursions from April through September with group rates and private charters available. The nearly three-hour tour departs from Auke Bay Harbor and travels through the Inside Passage, keeping watch for whales, bald eagles, sea lions, black bears, and more.

Located on the south side of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island in Canada, Prince of Whales in Victoria features a robust menu of whale-watching tours throughout the year. Group rates and private charters are available, with its Salish Sea Catamarans able to seat up to 95 passengers and its Ocean Magic Cruisers able to accommodate up to 74.

Humpbacks and orcas are also among the most commonly seen on these tours, but minke and gray whales have also been spotted on occasion. For a bit of a thrill, groups of up to 12 can get low to the water on Prince of Whales’ smaller Zodiac boats that zip through the water and provide exceptional sea-level wildlife viewing.

For those visiting the Emerald City of Seattle, Washington, access to whale watching on the Salish Sea is easy through Puget Sound Express, which departs from The Port of Edmonds just north of downtown. Groups can choose to book either a scheduled departure or arrange a custom tour, both of which take place on the Swiftsure boat, available for up to 145 passengers from February to December. The boat will cruise through the Salish Sea and the San Juan Islands at more than 40 mph, potentially allowing tourgoers a glimpse of orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and minke whales.

Down in Oregon, gray whales have the claim to fame along the coast as they migrate between the Arctic and Mexico. Whale watching in the Beaver State peaks in mid-December through mid-January and late February through May, and to celebrate such a grand event, Oregon Parks and Recreation hosts biannual Whale Watching Weeks, during which volunteers are posted at roughly 20 sites along the shores where visitors can spot whales from land during peak migration times. Its Whale Watching Center is located in Depoe Bay, and its website features a map of the designated whale-watching outposts, which are also available to visit outside of the designated Whale Watching Weeks.

With the California coast being as long as it is, there is an overabundance of exciting whale watching opportunities across its entirety. One city along the central coast is already a well-known haven for aquatic experiences and access to marine wildlife: Monterey. Its Monterey Bay Aquarium is a leader in and global voice for ocean conservation, and the area’s coastline is rich with humpback, gray, and blue whale sightings that vary by season. Here, winter and spring are prime for viewing humpback and gray whales, while summer and fall are ideal spotting for humpback and blue whales. Year-round sightings can include orcas, Risso’s and Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea otters, harbor seals, and more. Blue Ocean Whale Watch offers weekly and custom whale-watching charters on its High Spirits yacht, available to groups of up to 47 passengers. Whether aiming to witness the natural wonders of the sea or simply enjoy a day on the water, whale-watching is a can’t-miss experience for groups.

By Amanda Christensen

Main Image: Puget Sound Express, Washington; Credit: Puget Sound Express/Bart Rulon