Long Beach Whale Watching Season

Whale watching is a must-see tourist attraction in California, and for good reason. Whale watching excursions provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity for friends and family to come together and observe some of the world’s largest and most majestic mammals of the sea, year-round. Some of the most popular California harbors to whale-watch is in Long Beach and Los Angeles, where the whale population is dense and quite lively. Due to the migration patterns of these creatures, different types of whales can be spotted in Los Angeles and Long Beach during different seasons of the year, making every season the best time for whale watching.

Winter & Spring Whale Watching

Winter and spring months in Long Beach and Los Angeles are a perfect time to spot gray whales during their migration season. From around January to March-April, gray whales can be seen migrating from the Arctic towards the western coast of Mexico.

November through March is also a great time to spot humpback whales, which can usually be spotted in clusters of ten. October through December is also a prime time to spot minke whales. Another common sighting during these months are also dolphins and sea lions which you don’t want to miss!

Summer & Fall Whale Watching

Although winter-time presents a great opportunity to observe gray whales during their seasonal migration, there are always so many other whales that can be viewed during summer months of Long Beach and Los Angeles, as well. If you choose to take a whale watching cruise during summer months between May through September, you can have the opportunity to see blue whales, sperm whales, orca whales, finback whales and so much more. To observe these types of whales during the summer months, cruise ships off the Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors usually take the ship out a good distance from shore where the blue whales, sperm whales and orca whales can be spotted feeding.

Another crowd favorite whale species to watch is the humpback whale. Humpbacks span 40-50 feet long and can be seen all year round, but more commonly between the months of April to June. Humpback whales are known for being quite acrobatic as they jump out of the water, making them a very exciting species to watch!

Other Sea Creatures Year-Round

And just because it’s not whale watching season in California, doesn’t mean you can’t still go on a whale watching cruise! Even if you go on a whale watching cruise in between whale migrations, you will still have the opportunity to see so much other wildlife out on the ocean. Whale watching cruises will still offer exciting views of dolphins, sea lions, seals, and much more. In Southern California, there are 6-8 dolphin varieties and sea lions that can be found all year long.

Considering a Whale Watching Cruise?

Harbor Breeze has been the top-trusted whale watching company in Los Angeles and Long Beach for decades. We take pride in our cruises, working to provide each and every guest with a memorable experience on the ocean. Each of our cruise ships has a naturalist on board that provides knowledgeable commentary throughout the excursion on ocean biology and ecology, as well as answer any questions you may have about the animals or environment for a truly unforgettable Long Beach whale watching experience.

Contact us today for ticket reservations! We look forward to taking you out on the great blue soon.