Whale Watching
Your chances of spotting whales are good
from November to April.
Scan the ocean surface carefully from the surf
to a half-mile out -- binoculars will help. Watch
for small vapor puffs, big splashes, tail flukes,
and dark whale heads above the water. Although
whale watching takes a bit of patience, the thrill
of spotting them is worth it.
Gray whales make an 11,000-mile round trip
each year -- from arctic waters to the warm
lagoons of Baja California, where they breed
and bear calves.
Following the coast, they travel about
3-miles-per-hour, giving us an opportunity
to observe them from these high overlooks.
Fall Migration south -
November and December
Spring Migration north -
January through April
Spouting - Swimming whales will
make several short dives followed by
a longer one lasting a few minutes.
When they resurface, their hot breath
meets the cool air and forms spouts
of vapor 10-15 feet high that look
like white smoke.
Whale Behavior
Spyhopping - Sometimes whales
thrust their heads vertically above
the water; maybe for a good look
around, maybe to swallow food.
Breaching - Occasionally whales
loop partially or completely above
the water and fall back with a
mighty splash.
Whale tails - Whales may show their
tail flukes as they dive.
Individual whales can be identified
by their unique fluke markings.
Don't miss the rest of our virtual tour of Redwoods National Park in 1780 images.