The Gray Whales are still the most popular seen around San Diego. Tens of thousands of them make their way past the San Diego coast during their annual migration from Alaskan waters down to Baja California. Other whales spotted around San Diego include the Giant Blue Whale, Mink Whales and Finback Whales; there has even been a spotting of the elusive Right Whale. Most of them tend to swim by in the summer. It is also common to see other sea life including Bottle Nose Dolphins, sea lions, seals and various species of marine birds during a whale watching trip.
Excursions are available on sail boats, harbor cruisers, fishing boats and boats with decks and platforms designed specifically for whale watching. Some common destinations are offshore islands such as Catalina. Others go down the open waters off of the San Diego coast and some cruise all the way down to Baja, California. Whale watching outfitters are usually run by experienced watchers who will provide information about what you view. However, you are never guaranteed to see whales and should take that into consideration when purchasing a ticket.
Prices for whale watching excursions vary dramatically depending on the type of trip you take. As of May 2010, brief trips can cost as little as $30. One of the more expensive options is to rent a private boat to Coronado Island at a cost of around $1,200. The common public options range from around $55 to slightly over $100.
For those of you who prefer to stay on land but still would like the opportunity to view whales, the city website sandiego.org suggests a trip to the Cabrillo National Monument. The site says the gray whale migration can be spotted from the park's glass enclosed observatory. The park charges a $5 entry fee per vehicle.
More than a dozen outfitters within walking distance of the San Diego coastal area offer whale watching excursions. These trips are usually in combination with other activities such as fishing and harbor cruises. For example, H&M Landing's excursions include three hour local trips, five hour excursions to islands off the coast of Mexico and expedition style trips to Baja. Aolania Cat Cruises offers whale watching aboard a catamaran. If you would like to combine whale watching with fishing, look into Point Loma Sportfishing or Helgrens Sportfishing.
