What To Expect From A Whale Watching Catalina Island Tour

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.

There are many species that make this annual trek. Among the most popular are the blue whales, grays and humpbacks because of their sheer size. They also have propensity for surfacing frequently and even jumping out of the water, creating a truly breathtaking show of size and power. Minke whales, fin backs and even orcas, also known as killer whales, are also usually spotted in the area.

When it it time to book your tour, the kind of experience you want will dictate which one you book. There are large boats, but also smaller ones not much bigger than a speedboat. These are able to go faster to bring you closer to the action when some of the whales begin to surface, letting you really get close.

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 length of tour is the next thing you need to decide. Shorter trips that last only a few hours for those in time crunch are available, as well as all day tours that let you have a much longer lasting experience with the chance to see more whales. Finally, there are overnight ones that let you have the full experience.

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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