WHALE WATCHING
GRAY WHALE
Bodega Bay
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 cruise our expert naturalists give talks on gray whales and the conservation efforts which brought them back from near extinction. These exciting and educational 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: Porto Bodega in Bodega Bay (approx 1 1/2 hrs. north of San Fransicso). Trip duration: 3 hrs.
Itinerary: Flexible; generally, offshore 1-12 miles into the gray whale migration path.
Vessel: 50-56' Coast Guard certificated, fully insured motor vessels with open observation decks and indoor salon; seating is limited.
Passenger maximum: 28.
Parking: Free off-street parking at the harbor.
Food & Refreshments: Bring lunch and beverages.
Age Restrictions: Youth under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Children under age 7 will not be permitted on the boat.
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.
RELATED LINKS
goCityKids recommendation
Best Whale Watching 2002-Bay Guardian
KRON's Bay Area Backroads
Farallon Islands Press Release (March 28, 2003)
HALF MOON BAY WHALE WATCHING
SAN FRANCISCO WHALE WATCHING
FARALLON ISLANDS WHALE WATCHING
CORDELL BANK WHALE WATCHING
MARCH Saturday, March 1, 2008 Saturday, March 8, 2008 Saturday, March 15, 2008 Saturday, March 22, 2008 Saturday, March 29, 2008
2008 WHALE WATCHING RATES
Bodega Bay
$50 Saturday, Sunday/Adults, Children, Seniors
We reserve the right to increase trip fees if
there are exceptional cost increases for fuel.
New! Online Registration!
We are pleased to partner with Acteva.com in offering convenient, secure online registrations for our Bay Area whale-watching trips. Acteva is a low-cost e-commerce solution that allows nonprofits to conduct online transactions, without the expense of setting up a full e-commerce site.
If you would like to take advantage of online registration, click on the Register Now! button below. A minimal processing fee will be charged. (You can avoid the processing fee by registering by phone Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30am-5:00pm PST at: (415 474-3385), or download the reservation form below and fax your reservation to our office.) Processing fees are non-refundable.
For WHALE WATCHING reservations & details
call 415 474-3385
