Introduction to Whale Watching in Monterey Bay
California is famous for palm trees, surfing, Yosemite National Park and of course our majestic redwood forests. But did you know that California is also one of the most vibrant settings in the world for whales and other marine life?
If your vacation plans bring you to Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, this article will give you helpful information about these incredible sea creatures including insights on the following topics:
Migration of humpback whales in Monterey Bay
Best time for whale watching in Monterey Bay
Orcas return to Monterey Bay
What sightings in Monterey Bay today
Gray whale migration Monterey Bay
Without a doubt, one of the best things to do in Monterey Bay, California is whale watching!
As much as I love Michael Scott on The Office, Will Ferrell delivers one of the most truthful lines in the whole series, “If you’re gonna go whale watching on the East Coast, you might want to bring a magazine called West Coast Whales”.
Truth be told, you cannot just head out to the Pacific without doing a bit of research first!
For starters, there are certain times of year that are better than others for spotting specific whale species. You want to be sure your stay coincides with those times when the whales can be seen migrating, feeding, and breeding.
But, even if you arrive at a time when whales aren’t visible, you can still see dolphins and sea lions. They live in abundance here in Carmel-by-the-Sea and all around Monterey Bay.
We will also let you know the best time of the day to go whale watching in Monterey Bay so that you can enjoy a full day of aquatic adventures.
California sea lions lounge on the rocks near Moss Landing, CA. Photo Credit – www.SlaterMoore.Photography
If your bucket list includes seeing Killer whales or Orcas, Humpback whales, Gray and Blue whales, California sea lions, Bald eagles, California condors and gorgeous views, we hope you’ll book a vacation at Carmel Retreats located in the heart of downtown Carmel-by-the-sea.
The Carmel Retreats cottages are only a few blocks from the water, and they’re a short drive to the neighboring city of Monterey. If you’re looking to escape the congestion, heat, and humidity of a busy city and you want to stay out of the L.A. traffic or bustling San Francisco streets then this is the California vacation rental for what you’re after.
The rugged coastline of Big Sur, starting in Carmel at its northernmost tip, is home to some of the world’s most diverse marine life imaginable.
Carmel-by-the-sea - A Blend of Natural Beauty and Charming Beach Town
Carmel, California radiates the unique energy of a chic, touristy, resort town while keeping its quaint, secluded village feeling intact.
In keeping with the town’s century old look and feel, you won’t see street lights or traffic signals on any of its streets. The homes have no addresses (we need to go to the post office to pick up mail). And trees have the right of way - even if they sprout in the middle of the road. One of the many tales about Carmel (that also happens to be true!) is that you need a permit from City Hall if you plan to wear high heels around town. The area has naturally bumpy pathways and they don’t want to be sued if someone in high heels happens to fall.
From Carmel Beach to the old Spanish Mission, you can truly soak up miles of beautiful scenery along the California shoreline. Keep in mind that due to its strong undertow Carmel Beach may not be ideal for swimming, although many certainly do swim along these shores. The soft, white, sandy beaches are certainly ideal for soothing strolls at sunset, a few rounds of beach volleyball, and for exploring all the beauty that our picturesque Carmel Bay has to offer.
Also, don’t forget to explore our many miles of hiking trails, acres of state parks, panoramic views of the Pacific and our thriving marine life while you’re here! One of the most beautiful spots in the entire area, bursting with photographic opportunities and wildlife, is Point Lobos.
Once you’ve had your fill of outdoor activities, there’s an nearly a mile of boutique, one-of-a-kind shops along Ocean Avenue that are worth exploring. Some of my favorites include a wonderfully original Scandinavian Norse home goods shop called Fjorn, the Burns Cowboy shop which claims to be the oldest family owned western wear retailer in the world, and the unforgettable English-style sweets shop called Cottage of Sweets.
The charming downtown thoroughfare of Ocean Avenue starts at our picturesque Carmel Beach on one end and stretches about one mile east to Highway One.
But enough about the shops, the views, and the super soft, sandy beaches. Let’s plan a day trip to go see some whales, shall we? After all, that’s what we’re here for.
Traveling Between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey Bay
Without a doubt, one of the best places in the world for whale sightings is Monterey Bay, just five minute away from the Carmel Retreats cottages by car. If you don’t feel like driving yourself there, it’s easy enough to reserve an Uber or Lyft. You can also rent an electric assist bike from Mad Dogs bike shop just down the street from the cottages. Many visitors choose to take the scenic 17-Mile Drive through Pebble Beach all the way to neighboring Monterey (there’s a small fee for cars, bicycles are free, and no motorcycles are allowed). And if you do take this route, be sure to stop by the world-renowned Lone Cypress that overlooks Pebble Beach. It’s breath-taking to behold!
Cypress point is one of the most photographed spots along scenic 17-mile drive which wends its way through nearby Pebble Beach. Credit @hendrik-cornelissen-unsplash
Okay, You’ve Made it to Monterey Bay - Let’s Find Those Whales!
Due to a unique feature of Monterey bay, whales of all kinds are drawn here throughout the year to feed, making it one of the best whale-watching locations anywhere in the world. The Monterey submarine canyon is a fissure in the earth’s surface starting just one mile off shore and reaching depths equivalent to that of the Grand Canyon, extending nearly 50 miles out to sea. This unique oceanic topography gives rise to some of the most uncommon marine life anywhere on the planet. The Monterey canyon creates an ideal environment for plankton blooms which in turn form the basis of the food chain for other marine animals. Whales, dolphins, and seabirds are drawn to the waters of Monterey Bay to feed on an abundance of krill, fish, and squid supported by these intense plankton blooms.
The depth of the Monterey Canyon rivals that of the Grand Canyon, attracting not only the great whales, but also some of the most diverse marine creatures anywhere on the planet. Photo credit @MBARI
It’s important to note that there are at least a half dozen distinct species of whale that you can marvel at throughout the year right here in Northern California, each one taking its own, unique migration route up and down the Pacific coast. On any given day of the year, in fact, there are probably over a hundred whales migrating somewhere in the bay. Some days and weeks may be better than others for viewing a particular species.
Throughout the Carmel area, there are many panoramic observation points where you may be able to spot whales in the distance, and sometimes you can even see them directly from the beach. If you are hoping to get up close, however, then your best bet is to reserve a spot on one of the local whale watching tour boats.
These Monterey whale watching boats know what they’re looking for through years of experience and well trained staff, so they’ve become experts in how to find the best places to spot whales.
Tip: if you want to find whales eating, you can usually look for clouds of seabirds. If there are seabirds, that means there’s fish. And if there’s fish there’s dolphins and/or whales. They all feed in the same areas.
If you are looking for more information about each of the various whale species found in Monterey Bay, then you can click here!
Humpback Whale Migrations Monterey Bay
Humpback Whale in Monterey Bay at sunset. Photo Credit @SlaterMoore
Humpback whale migrations Monterey Bay are always a great thing to look out for! These majestic mammals are massive, beautiful, and gentle.
Humpback whales are a species of baleen whale and they migrate thousands of miles each year. Some may swim up to 5,000 miles annually. They enjoy feeding along the California and Oregon coasts in the summertime, but they head down for warmer waters to breed in the winter.
These beautiful creatures are known for their knobby heads and their habit of breaching the water with their tails. They are strong enough to launch their almost 80,000-pound bodies completely out of the water.
They are about the size of a school bus if that paints a clearer picture in your mind!
Typically, you only see one or two humpbacks at a time but if there is abundant food available you could see anywhere from 40 to 50 whales in one sighting.
The best time to see humpback whales is from late April to early December (with the peak season lasting throughout July and August). Just keep in mind that whales are wild animals with their own biological clocks, so the timing of their migrations varies from one season to another.
Humpback Whales Were Almost Hunted to Extinction
Before 1966, when whale hunting was banned, their numbers dwindled to fewer than 10% of their original number. Their survival as a species reached such a critical point in the following years that in 1973 Humpbacks were added to the Endangered Species Act.
More recently their numbers have risen significantly, and some groups of humpbacks are under consideration for being taken off the endangered species list.
Today the main threat to Humpback whales are ship strikes, fishing gear entanglements, and illegal hunting. They have made a steady recovery and we want to see them continue to thrive!
Gray Whale Migrations Monterey Bay
The baleen of the gray whale are used to trap food like masses of tiny krill after the whale takes a huge gulp of ocean water. Photo Credit – Knute Brekke
Gray whale migration in Monterey Bay typically lasts from December to May.
They usually spend the winter months in Baja, California where they give birth to their calves in the warmer waters before heading back up north each year.
Gray whales have one of the longest annual migrations of all mammals! They travel to subtropical waters for mating and then head all the way back up to the northern polar regions for feeding.
Their migration patterns are extremely predictable and can reach up to 10,000 miles each year.
Gray whales are not known for their beauty, but they are playful and curious creatures, making them fun and easy to see when you are on the lookout for whales. They don’t often wander far from the coast so you can oftentimes see them right from the beach.
The most fascinating thing about Gray whales is that they feed seasonally and then live off stores of blubber in the off seasons. That means they migrate those 10,000 miles while fasting!
Gray whales can be found only in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of North America. Only 15,000 to 25,000 reside there today.
Orcas Return to Monterey Bay
Orcas, like other dolphin species, are quite playful and love to do back flips in the bay. Photo Credit @SlaterMoore
Orcas - or killer whales as they are sometime called - are technically dolphins. They’re just a larger, more brutal dolphin…brutal to their prey, that is. Orcas, like the common dolphin, are playful and intelligent. In Monterey Bay, you can spot 3 different species of Orca.
One species is called the “Transient” killer whale which preys upon marine mammals. Another is the fish and shark-eating “Offshore” killer whale. And finally, there’s the salmon-eating “Southern Resident” killer whale. Of the three, the most popular kind of killer whale to be seen in Monterey Bay is the Transient killer whale.
The best time to see Orcas in Monterey Bay is, well, throughout the entire year! So many seasons and pods overlap that you’re bound to spot a few on any given day - however, peak season is from mid-April through mid-May and again later in the year from August to October.
If you’re hoping to spend an entire day out on the bay when you have nothing else planned then make sure to check out All-Day Whale Watch Trips with Monterey Bay Whale Watch in April and May.
Blue Whales Are the Largest Animal Ever
The blue whales of Monterey bay can reach lengths up to 100 feet and speeds up to 30 miles per hour.
No, I mean it. Blue Whales are the largest animals to have ever existed - including dinosaurs - and you can see them right here in Monterey Bay! Unlike Orcas, they feed on krill (small shrimp-like crustaceans).
In the cold waters of the Northwest they can grow up to 80 or 90 feet long, although in the southern hemisphere they can reach up to 100 feet in lenth. These gentle giants can attain burst speeds of over 30 miles per hour.
The best time to spot the largest animal of all time in Monterey Bay is from May through October, but peak sightings typically occur in July and August due to the influx of krill.
Alright, alright, Whales are Awesome! Now, When and Where Can We Go to See Them?
What is the best time of the day to go whale watching in Monterey Bay?
Whales are just as likely to be spotted at any given time of day, dawn to dusk, but the surface of the bay is typically less choppy in the morning. So the answer to what time of day is best really depends upon how well you tolerate the rocking of your tour boat.
One of the best tour companies for spotting whales here in Monterey is Discovery Whale Watch. Their crew is made up of passionate people who have been in the whale watching industry for years. They only allow smaller groups of guests on their boats, which leaves room for a more intimate experience. The staff at Discovery Whale Watch are also passionate about sharing their knowledge of the animals they love so much, and their passion shows!
Also, make sure to check out today’s whale sightings in Monterey Bay. If you’re planning to take an afternoon trip, you can find out what’s already been spotted that day so you have an idea about which whales are visible in the bay before you head out.
If you don’t know what to bring or how best to prepare for a prime whale watching experience, you can click here! These are some basic tips to help you have a wonderful day out on the water.
If going on a whale watching boat is not your thing (the Pacific can be quite choppy, and if you’re prone to motion sickness this is something to consider) then make sure to check out the Monterey Bay Aquarium while you’re here. The aquarium is dedicated to education and conservation of the Monterey Bay, and its jellyfish exhibit is breathtaking.
The jellyfish exhibits at nearby Monterey Bay Aquarium offer stunning settings for these naturally beautiful sea creatures. Credit: Monterey Bay Aquarium.
In Closing
If you didn’t know it prior to reading this article, you do now - Monterey, California is one of the best hubs for marine education in the world. And it’s no wonder why. Marine life is in abundance here in Northern California and it’s all just a short drive from Carmel Retreats.
If you’d like to get more information or inquire about availability to book a wonderful and relaxing vacation at Carmel Retreats, you can click here.
Barry
www.CarmelRetreats.com
Carmel Retreats
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Whale Migration in Monterey Bay
This infographic summarizes some of the best times of year to see specific whale species migrating through Monterey Bay.
On any given day of the year, there are probably over one hundred whales migrating through the bay, and Orcas certainly can found playing and feeding in the bay throughout the entire year.
If you’re interested in spotting a specific species of whale, though, or hoping to see Gray whale calves for example, then certain months are better than others.
Keep in mind, also, that certain times of the day might be more suitable for viewing whales, too. The morning waters, for example, tend to be calmer with less rocking and might be a better choice if you’re prone to motion sickness.