A kayaker spotted humpback whales feeding in san franciscos waters on sunday. Search for humpback and gray whales along with more abundant porpoises, dolphins, and harbor seals while learning about the unique history and geology of the area from a professional naturalist on board. After parking your vehicle walk across the street or sky pass to pier 39. Dead whale washes ashore in bay area san francisco, ca patch. Ship strikes have been a recurring threat to whales around san francisco bay and other large ports. The whaleplanner october a whale watching infographic. From march to may, you might even catch a glimpse of a gray, sperm, or killer orcas whale. Developed and presented by the museum of new zealand te papa tongarewa this exhibition was made possible through the support of the new zealand government and the smithsonian institution. San francisco supervisor threatens to take power to raise fares. Whale watching ocean safari trip for one, two, or four adults from sea spirit ocean safari up to 33% off. Our san francisco whale watch programs began in 1972, and have given thousands of people the opportunity to see and learn about the bay areas spectacular marine wildlife, including several species of whales, dolphins, seabirds, and much more. October 1, 2016 our farallon islands whale watching trip on saturday, october 1 departed from sausalito under calm conditions. Behavior and ecology of killer whales at the aquarium of the pacific in long beach, ca. You can get closer if you book a tour on a local whale watch boat.
The gulf of the farallons national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. However it is certainly possible to see whales from the shore if you happen to be in the right place at the right time. October is the perfect time to visit south africa main season for southern right whales. Bc whales have been identified in british columbia, and are given an x, y, or z depending on the amount of white on their flukes. On an ecofriendly catamaran, glide through san francisco bay and under the golden gate bridge to reach the open pacific, where youll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as. Migrating gray whales are the species seen most often in northern california. Blue whale hit by ship found dead on northern california beach. Join us on a whale watching trip from san francisco or half moon bay. There are also blue whale safaris to the farallon islands from july to november, as these are the important feeding grounds for gray whales, humpbacks and blue whales. Last october, a 65footlong blue whale washed up dead on westmoor beach in daly city. Photo by joe nazar, san francisco whale tours overview.
Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip bottom photo at right. Daytrip tickets are 125 dollars, starting at san francisco, sausalito and halfmoon bay. Whales have been breaching and feeding in the san francisco bay over the past couple of months and residents and tourists have been doing their best to. Cruise past iconic landmarks aboard a coast guardcertified. A one man shop serving the emeryville, oakland, berkeley, and san francisco areas with laser cutting, 3d printing, and general product design.
The wonders of whale watching in california visit california. The weather here during the month of october is great for touring and other activities. Sf bay whale watching provides whale watching and natural history expeditions from san francisco bay to the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary. You can also go watching gray whales from san francisco and the bay area from the middle of december to may. Season ends at the north american east coast with still good chances to see humpbacks and blues.
Their migration starts in the arctic ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of mexico. The whale that thanked its rescuersreported to be truth. Prime collision areas are concentrated around busy shipping lanes in the san francisco and channel islands regions. Farallones national marine sanctuary, california coastal waters off san francisco have annual migration patterns for whales. A humpback whale breaching in the gulf of the farallones on october, 2009. Welcome to whale alert west coast latest news endangered whales are needlessly being hit and killed by ship strikes each year along the west coast of the united states.
The best spot weve found to count the whales is atop the marin headlands, or from lands end in san francisco. After working long and hard to cut the lines from her, she is said to have rejoiced and returned to thank each of the rescuers. During this time of year, you can expect to see humpbacks and blues. That said, you can spot other species during different months, so you shouldnt discount an opportunity just because it doesnt fall within this.
Whale watching in the san francisco area centers on the region around the gulf of the farallons about 25 miles offshore, where whales cruise through a 20mile wide ocean highway. Whale watching in san francisco best tours and free. Sf bay whale watching whale watching tours in san francisco. Up to 29% off whale watching at sea goddess whale watching. The whale was discovered south of san francisco, marking. San francisco in san francisco bay, its been a great week for whale watching thanks to some special visitors seldom seen in those waters. A team from the california academy of sciences went out to. Among the best sites are the cliffs near lighthouses at point reyes. Whale show returns to californias coast, and its amazing. On a boat trip out from san francisco, we saw a total of 8 blue whales and here is a great video of when we first one emerge from the dead. Whale watching at point reyes point reyes national seashore. Half moon bay is about 30 minutes south of san francisco. The other whale was bcy0324 after writing this blog post, whale names like j2 seem so much more manageable.
Whalewatching is typically done on a whalewatching boat trip. Nature enthusiasts shouldnt miss the opportunity to see the majestic gray whale in its natural habitat, off the coast of san francisco. Ship may have hit whale found washed up near san francisco. Humpback whales are back under the golden gate bridge. A humpback whale jumps out of the water in front of the golden gate bridge. Between middecember and april is the time when the gray whales eschrichtius robustus are seen on their annual migration, on the west coast, betweeen their. San francisco whale tours 2020 all you need to know. Oceanic society is a nonprofit marine conservation organization founded in san francisco in 1969. An underwater battle captured on videotape proves that killer whales are the kings of the sea. Without the usual morning fog, visibility was excellent and we made our first sighting a few miles outside of san francisco bay. Theyre closest to the shore when traveling south, in particular between monterey and san diego. Waves crash over a beached humpback whale tuesday, may 5, 2015, in pacifica, calif. On an ecofriendly catamaran, glide through san francisco bay and under the golden gate bridge to reach the open pacific, where youll keep your eyes peeled for humpback and gray whales, as well as marine life like dolphins and seals.
Meet us at our partners ticket kiosksan francisco whale tours. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and gray whales, this is a trip you will never forget. The first known videotape of a clash between a killer whale and a great white shark has enthralled whale watchers all over the world. There are two broad whalewatching seasons for our area the gray whale season from december to april and the summerfall season for the other whales. Gray whales start swimming south from alaska in october, generally passing the coast off san diego from december through january and again in february and march when they return to their feeding grounds.
The best time to go whale watching in monterey is middecember through. Fed agency asks for private beach property to let dead whales rot in peaceat least 81 gray whale corpses have washed ashore in california, oregon, washington and alaska since jan. Their trips are longer than others and depart from sausalito or san francisco. Amazing whale watch in san francisco with multiple breaches, jumps, and tale slapping. This nonprofit groups offers limited sailing schedules but have the besttrained naturalists. Blue whales july october sf bay whale watching blue whale. California has some of the best marine wildlife viewing in the world. Download california backgrounds for your next zoom call.
San francisco whale tours, san francisco, california. Led by expert naturalists, full and half day boat tours are available almost every weekend, with opportunities to see blue, humpback, and gray whales, dolphins and porpoises, seals and sea lions, rare seabirds, and other marine life up close. This is the busy travel season in san francisco and when plenty of people are on the water whale watching. Dead whale washes onto point reyes national seashoreauthorities say a dead whale has washed ashore in the san francisco bay area, bringing the total to at least 11 dead whales found in the area. But if you want to get a special view, without having to worry about seasickness, then go to the golden gate bridge during a strong rising tide. The whale guardians of san francisco bay the silvery research vessel fulmar powers out to sea from san francisco, bounding off waves on its way to the farallon islands. Join us for an exciting marine mammal wildlife trip along the san francisco bay and the northern california coastline. Humphrey the whale is a humpback whale which twice deviated from his mexico to alaska migration by entering san francisco bay.
The san francisco whale tours ticket booth is in pier 39 entrance plaza san francisco c. See views of the golden gate bridge, whales, porpoise, and more. From views of main san francisco attractions such as the golden gate bridge to sightings of blue, humpback, and. California the best tips for whale watching in california whaletrips.
Humpbacks in san francisco bay give whale watchers a rare. The foodrich coastal waters off marin are an attraction to the whales. San franciscotours by sf bay whale watching take you to the whale action in the greater farallones national marine sanctuary from december to march. San francisco whale tours in san francisco, california. Boat collides with humpback whale in sf bay sfgate. San francisco whale tours captain and crew safely ferry patrons across scenic waterways to explore the wonders of the bays ecological system. The 90minute tour focuses on showing guests the myriad marine life found within the famous san francisco bay, including bird colonies, harbor seal communes, and sea lion citystates. The best places to whale watch in the bay area sfgate. The story of a humpback whale that was wrapped in crab traps and lines near san francisco, california. The whale, first spotted at oaklands outer harbor october 10, 1985, swam up the carquinez strait, the sacramento river and under.
San francisco whale tours offers whale watching trips from. Monterey bay whale watch sponsored a fundraising whalewatching boat trip for the monterey bay chapter of the american cetacean society acsmb on sunday, august 21, 2005. Our vessel kitty kat is within 25 yards of our ticket booth. They offer a 5hour coastal and a 6hour farallons tour. Take a sightseeing cruise across san francisco bay and glide under the golden gate bridge on this 2. Some of the whales and dolphins seen in our area, and the general migration patterns. Shark october 8, 1997 san francisco cnn move over, jaws. Whale watching season in northern california starts earlier and ends later than it does further south. After 4 years of living in san francisco, id never even made it down to monterey. Whaletrips california the best tips for whale watching. October is one of the best months to visit san francisco. The best time for whale watching in san francisco is from december may, as youll have the best opportunity to see more than one type of whale.
Oceanic society farallon islands whale watching san. Rapid whale laser cutting, 3d printing, product design. Though whales were never hunted in san francisco bay itself, the whaling industry had a long presence here. On this halfday tour from pier 39, cruise toward the chilly pacific watersor around san francisco bayto spot migrating whales feasting on the plentiful anchovy. The san francisco whale tours ecotour offers a chance to learn about the natural history and wildlife of the san francisco bay while experiencing breathtaking views of the city, the golden gate bridge, alcatraz and more. Download the pacific gray whales resource newsletter for more information. Beginning in the 1830s, whaling ships of british and new englandbased fleets wintered in san francisco bay.
While an occasional curious cetacean thats sciencespeak for whale may venture into san francisco bay for a bit of sightseeing, they generally stay further. Explore boat based observations collected by trained naturalists that volunteer for the channel islands naturalist corps. Giants of the deep will be on exhibit through november 29, 2015. Humpback whales feast on fish in san francisco bay video. In the afternoons throughout the month, the temperature typically stays mild normally in the high60s f or 1720 c.
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