On my most recent trip, we hit a whale watching trifecta for this time of year. We saw a couple of humpbacks that were early arrivals to the area. There were a couple grey whales, which were likely toward the end of those migrating up the coast. After that, we happened on a LOT of orcas! This was my first time seeing killer whales in the ocean. It was an amazing treat to be sure.
Orcas have a smaller spout, so can be initially more difficult to see, but they generally travel in groups. Once you see one, there is a good chance you’ll see more. We were lucky enough to see 2-3 family groups of 12-20 each. I think we all lost count of how many there were. Once you know where they are and how they surface, you’ll be hooked for sure.
When one surfaces, there will likely be another right behind it. You may not have much chance for a photo of the first, but stay focused, and you’ll have good opportunities for the ones that follow. That was how I got this shot, just by following as the orcas surfaced, and waiting for the others to follow. This time, it happened to be a very large male.
Monterey Bay Whale Watching
Two orcas surfacing.
Although there are many whale watching companies to go out with, I can highly recommend Monterey Bay Whale Watch. The company is run by marine biologists, and always have one on board each cruise. They also have two boats that go out daily, and are in radio contact to keep each other informed of anything either boat finds. The reality though, is all the companies work together by radio. If one boat happens on something interesting, all the boats will find out soon enough.
One warning about the Monterey Bay Whale Watch website… although the tours and people are truly great… at the time of this writing, the website has needed a serious update for many years. Just relax and feel transported back in time about a decade in web terms… Also, if you plan on going whale watching on a weekend, make a reservation as early as possible. Weekend tours can fill up quickly.
Get out and enjoy your own whale watching adventure. They are available all over.
