Gray Whale Migration

Gray Whale Watching: San Francisco

Coastal Gray Whale Watching runs December through April out of San Francisco and Half Moon Bay. (This page has information on the San Francisco trips).

Trips from San Francisco are 6 hour trips trips,
while those from Half Moon Bay are 3 hour 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."

Read about Oceanic Society's whale watching trips and interview with the Society's cetacean biologist and naturalist Izzy Szczepaniak in the award-winning Bay Nature publication on-line: www.baynature.org 

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 hours), and  Half Moon Bay (3 1/2 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 hours. Return to dock at 3:30 p.m.

Itinerary:

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

Vessel:

Our vessel 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: 32

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.

Follow us on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/OceanicSociety

RELATED LINKS

goCityKids recommendation

HALF MOON BAY WHALE WATCHING

FARALLON ISLANDS WHALE WATCHING

Factoids About Local WHALE WATCHING Programs

SF WHALE WATCHING : Sign Up Here

Click here for Dec-May trips from Half Moon Bay

San Francisco Schedule

MARCH 2012

Sunday, March 11   -register
Saturday, March 17   -register
Sunday, March 18   -register
Saturday, March 24   -register
Sunday, March 25   -register
Saturday, March 31   -register
APRIL 2012
Sunday, April 1      -register
Saturday, April 7      -register
Sunday, April 8     -register
Saturday, April 14     -register
Sunday, April 15     -register
Saturday, April 21     -register
Sunday, April 22     -register
Saturday, April 28     -register
Sunday, April 29     -register
May 2012 
Saturday, May 5  -register
Sunday, May 6  -register
Saturday, May 12  -register
Sunday, May 13  -register

2012 WHALE WATCHING RATES

San Francisco:

$100 Saturday, Sunday/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 415-441-1106

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