The Joys Of Whale Watching Catalina Island

By Matthew Wright


Whales are one of those creatures that humans cannot seem to get enough of, and for good reason. They are huge, reaching over 100 feet in length in some cases, and they are intelligent and warm blooded, just like people. If you want to see them out in the wild, there are a few ways to do it, but none are more fun or exciting as a whale watching Catalina Island tour.

Catalina Island is an ideal spot to see whales because many different types are there during the winter months. They migrate there during winter from Alaska because the waters in the area are much warmer than Alaska. Here, they either mate to try and get pregnant, or if they are already pregnant, they nest here to give birth before returning back to arctic waters.

You will have the opportunity to see many different whale species in this area, which is why it is such a huge draw each winter. The largest ones you can see includes humpbacks, blue and gray whales. There are also fin back and minke whales, as well as orcas, which moat people refer to as killer whales in the area.

There are plenty of options to fit every kind of desired experience when you book your tour. The biggest decision you have to make is whether you want to go on a small or large boat. The smaller ones are almost like speedboats, taking you up close to the animals and giving you a more intimate experience.

If this daredevil type of experience is not for you, then you can opt for much larger ferry type of boats that hold hundreds of passengers at once. These are slower, but they also have things like bathrooms and climate control, and possibly even a snack bar to buy foods and drinks. This is the better option if you may get sea sick, have small children, a wheelchair, or elderly people in your group, as it is more stable than the smaller boats.

The next decision you make after the size of the vessel is the length of the tour. For the full experience, try the overnight tour that lets you stay on a nearby island. You can take the full day tour that does not stay overnight instead. You may also choose the short tour that goes out only for a few hours at a time instead.

Besides the many species of whales, there may be plenty of other creatures to see in the area on a good day. Besides seagulls and other marine birds, you may be able to spot bald eagles on occasion. In the water, look out for dolphins and harbor porpoises that sometimes congregate.

Make sure you book in advance, as tours do fill up quickly. You will also want to keep an eye on the weather, as bad weather can cause the waters to get choppy, which could in turn force the operators to cancel the tour. If the weather is looking bad, call your tour operator and ask if the boats are still going out before heading to the pier.




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