Gray Whale Migration

Gray Whale Watching: San Francisco

Coastal Gray Whale Watching runs December through mid-May out of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, and Bodego Bay. (This page has information on the San Francisco trips).
Trips from San Francisco are all-day trips, while those from Half Moon Bay and Bodego Bay are 1/2 day trips.

The annual gray whale migration, one of the world's most magnificent and accessible wildlife spectacles, is underway. Each year approximately 15,000 of an estimated total population of 17,500 gray whales swim south from Arctic feeding grounds, en route to their Baja California breeding and calving grounds.

From December through May, gray whales can be observed a few miles off California's shore, and whale watchers aboard Oceanic Society's naturalist-led Whale Watch boats have a unique vantage from which to view this incredible "parade."

During each whale watching cruise our expert naturalists give talks on gray whales and the conservation efforts which brought them back from near extinction. These exciting and educational whale watching cruises are held on board motorized diesel vessels, from San Francisco (6-1/2 hours), Half Moon Bay (3 hours) and Bodega Bay (3 hours) every Saturday, Sunday and select Fridays from December through mid-May.

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 9:00 am, boat leaves 9:30 a.m. Duration approximately 6-1/2 hours. Return to dock at 4:00 p.m.

Itinerary:

Our expedition will generally take us under the Golden Gate Bridge and north along the Marin coast.

Vessel:

The Wacky Jacky is a 50' Coast Guard certificated, fully insured motor vessel with open observation deck and indoor salon. Limited indoor and outdoor seating available.

Passenger maximum: 39.

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!

WHALE WATCHING BOAT CRUISES

Since 1972, Oceanic Society has sponsored expert-guided, educational natural history and wildlife encounters for over 140,000 people. Programs benefit environmental education and research.

For information on Oceanic Society's current sightings of wildlife please call 474-0488.

RELATED LINKS

goCityKids recommendation

HALF MOON BAY WHALE WATCHING

BODEGA BAY WHALE WATCHING

FARALLON ISLANDS WHALE WATCHING

Factoids About Local WHALE WATCHING Programs

WHALE WATCHING : Sign Up Here

Click here for trips from Half Moon Bay and Bodego Bay

San Francisco Schedule

JANUARY 2009

Saturday, January 3 -register
Saturday, January 10 -register
Saturday, January 17 -register
Saturday, January 24 -register
Saturday, January 31 -register

FEBRUARY 2009

Saturday, February 7 -register
Saturday, February 14 -register
Saturday, February 21 -register
Saturday, February 28 -register

MARCH 2009

Friday, March 20 -register
Friday, March 27 -register

Saturday, March 7 -register
Saturday, March 14 -register
Saturday, March 21 -register
Saturday, March 28 -register

Sunday, March 1 -register
Sunday, March 8 -register
Sunday, March 15 -register
Sunday, March 22 -register
Sunday, March 29 -register

APRIL 2009

Friday, April 3 -register
Friday, April 10 -register

Saturday, April 4 -register
Saturday, April 11 -register
Saturday, April 18 -register
Saturday, April 25 -register

Sunday, April 5 -register
Sunday, April 12 -register
Sunday, April 19 -register
Sunday, April 26 -register

MAY 2009

Saturday, May 2 -register

Saturday, May 9 -register

Sunday, May 3 -register

Sunday, May 10 -register

2009 WHALE WATCHING RATES

San Francisco:

$100 Saturday, Sunday/Adults, Children, Seniors
$90 Friday/Adults, Children, Seniors

We reserve the right to increase trip fees if there are exceptional cost increases for fuel.

RESERVATIONS
Online, Phone, Mail

Reservations recommended - call our office for availability (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm PST)

 

Whale Watching Gift Certificates

For Whale Watching reservations & details call 415-474-3385