Farallon Islands Whale Watching
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BLUE & HUMPBACK WHALES
Expert naturalists lead full-day whale watching cruises from San Francisco aboard motorized diesel vessels on Saturdays and Sundays from June through November. The Oceanic Society, a nonprofit organization, was commended by the California State Senate for its public education service through Whale Watch and Farallon Islands programs. In cooperation with Cascadia Research, the Oceanic Society sponsors long-term humpack whale research in the Gulf of the Farallones. Many of the whale watching trips include dedicated whale field researchers. Since 1972, Oceanic Society has sponsored educational natural history encounters for over 140,000 people. Program revenues benefit the environmental education and conservation research. TRIP INFORMATION Departure: San Francisco Yacht Harbor/Marina Green, just outside the Harbormaster's office (please do not enter the building or disturb the harbormaster). Reminder: Check-in time is 7:30 am, boat leaves 8:00 a.m. Duration: Approximately 8 hours. Itinerary: Under the Golden Gate Bridge and west to the Farallon Islands.
Vessel: Passenger maximum: 48. Clothing: Warm, layered with water-proof outerwear for sea spray recommended. Parking: Free off-street parking. Food & Refreshments: Bring lunch and beverages. Age Restrictions: Age minimum 10; an adult must accompany youths under 15. TRIPS GO RAIN OR SHINE! For recorded information on Oceanic Society's current sightings of wildlife please call the sightings hotline: 415 474-0488. Factoids About Local WHALE WATCHING Programs RELATED LINKS |
2009 FARALLON ISLANDS
CURRENT SIGHTINGS FARALLON ISLANDS WHALE WATCH
"BLUE WHALE SIGHTINGS -- One of the single-most spectacular wildlife events of the year off the coast." Farallon Islands Whale Watching
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The Farallon Islands, just 27 miles off San Francisco, lie amid the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, a food-rich marine ecosystem which attracts whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds each summer and fall, to feed and to breed. Researchers have catalogued hundreds of individual humpbacks and blue whales as seasonal feeding residents. Twenty three species of marine mammals, including 18 species of whales and dolphins, can be found here.
The Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge is the largest seabird rookery in the contiguous United States with nesting Tufted Puffins, Pigeon Guillemots, Rhinoceros Auklets, Shearwaters, and ther species. Island beaches are covered with sea lions, including massive Steller's sea lions, now on the Endangered Species List.
