About Our Whale Watching Tours

Whale watching is a truly magnificent experience where you get the opportunity to observe whales, dolphins, and other sea creatures in their natural habitat. Whale watching is a very popular tourist attraction on all coast fronts around the world, where friends and family can gather together to witness the breathtaking sight of the largest mammals in the world. Although primarily a recreational activity for tourists, whale watching can also serve as an educational experience thanks to knowledgeable cruise tour guides and other naturalists on board. Learn more about whale watching in Los Angeles, whale watching in Long Beach, whale watching in Santa Monica, & whale watching in Newport Beach below.

Whale Watching

A Brief History

The practice of organized whale watching first began in the United States in 1950, when a national monument in San Diego was found to be a migration destination for gray whales. The marvel attracted tens of thousands of visitors the first year and the industry continued to expand from there, beginning in the West Coast and eventually building popularity on the East Coast. In 1985, popularity spread to England and eventually many people were visiting New England to view the dense Humpback whale population.

Due to the enormous popularity of whale watching, it serves a significant economic importance in developing countries. It’s estimated that worldwide, organized whale watching generates over 2 billion dollars in revenue per year, employing almost 15,000 people.

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Protecting the Giant Species

Due to the popularity and growth of the whale watching industry in certain harbors, there is strong evidence to suggest that tourist whale watching can adversely affect the ecology of whales and their migration patterns if cruise boats do not follow rules in place to protect the species. To avoid negatively affecting the whales and their environment, cruise ships should abide by their harbor’s local regulations, but below are some common rules:

Slow Down
It’s important to minimize boat speeds in the presence of whales and dolphins so as not to take them by surprise and harm them. Keep in mind, as humans we are in their territory and should look out for all of the sea creatures -- not the other way around. Be sure not to circle whales or come in between them, as this can disturb their migration patterns.
Approach From the Side
When you spot a whale, it’s important to approach them from the side and ride parallel with them, so as not to disturb their trajectory. If a boat intersects a whale’s path, it can disturb their eating habits and prevent them from getting in deeper waters.
Don't Swim With the Animals
Swimming with dolphins and whales is prohibited in many places of the world (excluding parts of the Caribbean). Swimming with the dolphins and whales can disturb them and sometimes present chemical hazards from sunscreen, etc.
Don't Encourage Dolphins to Swim
Sometimes cruise captains can coerce dolphins to “bow-ride” with the ship as they congregate by the dozens and follow the ship’s current. As cool as this sounds, it’s very dangerous for the dolphins as they can get harmed under the boat. There are many other local regulations to whale watching depending on the area, so be sure to check yours to take the optimal safety precautions for your whale watching cruise.

The Whale Watching: Experience

The whale watching experience begins before you get on the boat, preparing for the excursion and exciting journey ahead! Make sure to check out this list of items to bring on a whale watching tour. Some essentials include sunscreen, sunglasses, binoculars, and a raincoat. If you or anyone in your party are prone to sea sickness, be sure to take a motion sickness pill such as dramamine 30 minutes to an hour before you step on the boat, so you can feel at ease for the duration of the excursion. Check out these other whale watching tips and tricks, so you can get the most out of your experience on the sea.

Whale watching tours typically take about ½ a day to complete, so they can be lengthy. Because these are animals of the ocean, it takes time to locate them to enjoy the majestic sight. That being said, please be patient. Although cruise ships can never “guarantee” you will see a whale, the likelihood to see other magnificent creatures is very high and well worth the journey. So just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!

Harbor Breeze

Whale Watching Cruise

Harbor Breeze has been the West Coasts’ leading whale watching tour guide in Los Angeles , Long Beach, Santa Monica, & Newport Beach for years. With decades of industry experience, we guarantee you and your party will have a blast with us on our cruise, observing all the wonders of the ocean and learning about different types of sea creatures. Contact us today to reserve your spot on the boat. All aboard!

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Whale Watching FAQS

FAQs

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What is whale watching?

Whale watching is the practice of observing whales, dolphins, and other marine mammals in their natural ocean habitat — typically from a boat, though coastal land-based viewing is possible in some locations. It is both a widely popular recreational experience and a meaningful educational activity, giving participants a close-up look at some of the largest and most extraordinary animals on Earth.

Organized whale watching in the United States started in 1950, when a national monument near San Diego was discovered to be a key stop along the Pacific Gray Whale migration. The activity drew tens of thousands of visitors in its first year and spread quickly up and down the West Coast, then to the East Coast, and eventually worldwide. Today, whale watching generates over two billion dollars in revenue globally each year and supports nearly 15,000 jobs.

The waters off Los Angeles and Long Beach sit at a remarkable geographic intersection. Cold, nutrient-rich currents from the north support massive concentrations of krill and small fish, making Southern California one of the most productive Blue Whale and Humpback Whale feeding grounds on the planet. The region also sits directly along the Pacific Gray Whale migration corridor — one of the longest animal migrations on Earth — creating year-round wildlife activity that very few coastal destinations can match.

Absolutely. Responsible whale watching is an important conservation and education platform. Witnessing these animals in the wild fosters a personal connection to ocean ecosystems that motivates conservation action. Whale watching also supports marine research, raises public awareness about issues like entanglement and ocean noise pollution, and helps fund organizations dedicated to protecting these animals and their habitat.

The species you encounter depend on the season. Pacific Gray Whales are most commonly seen December through April as they migrate between Alaska and Baja California. Blue Whales — the largest animals ever known to have existed on Earth — are most frequently spotted May through November. Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, and Orca are also sighted regularly throughout the year.

Dolphins are among the most reliably spotted wildlife on Harbor Breeze tours. Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, and Pacific White-Sided Dolphins are all frequent visitors in Southern California waters. It is common to see them riding the bow wave, jumping, and swimming in formation alongside the vessel. For many guests, the dolphin encounters are just as memorable as the whales.

Our captains follow all federal marine mammal protection guidelines, which establish safe approach distances. In practice, whales often choose to approach and swim near boats on their own terms. The experience of watching a whale surface just off the bow is something guests consistently describe as one of the most remarkable moments of their lives.

Southern California is one of the few places in the world with strong whale watching activity year-round. Gray Whale season peaks December through April; Blue Whale season runs May through November. Before booking, check our live sightings report to see what has been spotted in the past few days.

Harbor Breeze operates from two Southern California departure points: West Harbor in San Pedro, located along the LA Waterfront promenade adjacent to the LA Maritime Museum; and Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach. Both locations offer parking, clear boarding procedures, and — at West Harbor — a growing collection of restaurants and waterfront dining right at the dock.

Harbor Breeze has operated Southern California whale watching tours for 18 years and operates in Long Beach and San Pedro. Tours in Long Beach include onboard narration from trained naturalists, and we offer two convenient departure points for guests from across the greater LA and Long Beach area.

Current pricing is available on our website. We offer rates for adults, seniors, and children — with discounts for kids and free sailing for infants under 3 (reservation required). Booking online saves money off the walk-up rate, and seasonal promotions are offered throughout the year.

Yes. All Harbor Breeze vessels are USCG-inspected and operated by licensed, experienced captains. Sightings are conducted at a respectful, federally regulated distance from marine life. Our boats feature stable seating, enclosed lounge areas, restrooms, and all required safety equipment for a comfortable and secure cruise.

Motion sickness can affect anyone, even on calm days. We recommend taking an over-the-counter remedy such as Dramamine or Bonine at least one hour before departure. Once on the water, staying on the outer deck and keeping your gaze on the horizon can also help significantly. If you have strong concerns, consult your doctor before booking.

You can book online or call our team to reserve by phone, or arrange a group booking by purchase order. We recommend booking as early as possible during peak whale season, as tours fill up quickly. Our team is happy to help you pick the right departure point and tour time based on current sightings and the season.

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