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When can you see whales in Big Sur?

When can you see whales in Big Sur?

Gray whales can be seen from the highway turnouts in Big Sur from December through April. December to early February the California Gray Whales are migrating south. Beginning in February you begin seeing whales migrating back to Alaska with their newborn babies by their sides.

Where are whales migrating right now?

Here’s where to see them. A baby gray whale swims with its mother off Dana Point. The gray whales are back, hugging the California coast while they make their 10,000-mile journey from Alaska to breed in the warm-water lagoons of Baja, Mexico, and back.

Can you see whales from Big Sur?

Humpback Whales are often seen from the highway turnouts throughout Big Sur. At the junction of Partington Ridge and Highway One there is a deep submarine canyon where the Humpback Whales are seen on a regular basis.

When can you see whales off the California coast?

If you’re interested in gray whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions, Turner suggests coming down to Southern California any time between January and April. For blue whales and finback whales, try May through September. And for minke whales, come October through December.

What’s so great about Big Sur?

Big Sur is renowned worldwide for its natural features and relatively pristine scenery. It is rated among the top 35 tourist destinations in the world. The Big Sur coast has been called the “longest and most scenic stretch of undeveloped coastline in the [contiguous] United States.”

What is the largest type of whale?

Antarctic blue whale
The Antarctic blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus ssp. Intermedia) is the biggest animal on the planet, weighing up to 400,000 pounds (approximately 33 elephants) and reaching up to 98 feet in length.

Are there orcas in Big Sur?

Killer whales, dolphins, and sea otters can be seen year-round in the Monterey and Big Sur area. March-May is when they are sighted most frequently by whale watching vessels traveling in their hunting grounds over the Monterey Submarine Canyon, but they can be seen during all months of the year.

What whales are off the California coast?

While gray whales are get the spotlight along the California coast, other cetaceans—including orcas, humpbacks, porpoises, dolphins, and gigantic blue whales—ply the waters at different times of year, bumping up your chances of seeing something amazing out there in the sea.

When to see gray whales in Big Sur?

WHEN YOU CAN SEE THE GRAY WHALES: Gray whales can be seen from the highway turnouts in Big Sur from December through April. December to early February the California Gray Whales are migrating south. Beginning in February you begin seeing whales migrating back to Alaska with their newborn babies by their sides.

Where do gray whales go on their migration?

Gray Whale Migration. Gray whales make one of the longest migrations of any mammal on earth. Every year of their lives they swim more than 10,000 miles roundtrip, between nursery lagoons in Mexico to feeding grounds in the Arctic.

Where does the humpback whale go on its migration?

Humpback Whale Migration: The humpback whale provides a perfect example of the typical journey that these cetaceans take on a yearly basis. In the summer months you will find the humpback whale in the cool high latitude polar waters of its feeding grounds, while in the winter they undertake a mammoth expedition to warmer,…

How big are the whales on the California coast?

Whales and Dolphins of the California Coast. Gray Whales: Up Close Johnida Dockens/Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Gray whales are one of the most commonly-seen whales along the California coast. Their name is taken from the gray patches and white mottling on their dark skin. An adult Pacific Gray Whale can be 45 feet long and weigh up to 33 tons.