There are millions of creatures in the earth's many oceans and seas, but few inspire as much awe from humans as whales. The sheer size of these behemoth creatures is incredible, but also the fact that they have large brains and are very intelligent, often compared to humans in their capabilities. To see them up close while in California, try a whale watching Catalina Island tour.
Catalina Island is an ideal spot to see whales because many different types are there during the winter months. They migrate there during winter from Alaska because the waters in the area are much warmer than Alaska. Here, they either mate to try and get pregnant, or if they are already pregnant, they nest here to give birth before returning back to arctic waters.
There are many species that make this annual trek. Among the most popular are the blue whales, grays and humpbacks because of their sheer size. They also have propensity for surfacing frequently and even jumping out of the water, creating a truly breathtaking show of size and power. Minke whales, fin backs and even orcas, also known as killer whales, are also usually spotted in the area.
When you look for a tour to join, you will have lots of options. The biggest one is deciding the size of boat you want to ride on to watch. There are smaller, speedboat type options that only seat small parties or individuals. They go very fast and bring you as close as possible to the whales.
If a speedy, up close and personal encounter is not quite your bag, then perhaps the larger boats that are slower and more leisurely is your speed. These often have a snack bar to buy food and drinks, and an inside area that is climate controlled. It is the best options for families with small children, or if anyone in your party has special mobility needs, such as needing a wheelchair or walker to get around. This is by far the more common trip that people book.
The length of tour is the next thing you need to decide. Shorter trips that last only a few hours for those in time crunch are available, as well as all day tours that let you have a much longer lasting experience with the chance to see more whales. Finally, there are overnight ones that let you have the full experience.
Whales are not the only sea creatures that are known to gather in the waters surrounding Catalina. In addition, you may see harbor porpoises or even dolphins. In the air, there are seagulls and if you are lucky, bald eagles.
Make sure you book in advance, as tours do fill up quickly. You will also want to keep an eye on the weather, as bad weather can cause the waters to get choppy, which could in turn force the operators to cancel the tour. If the weather is looking bad, call your tour operator and ask if the boats are still going out before heading to the pier.
Catalina Island is an ideal spot to see whales because many different types are there during the winter months. They migrate there during winter from Alaska because the waters in the area are much warmer than Alaska. Here, they either mate to try and get pregnant, or if they are already pregnant, they nest here to give birth before returning back to arctic waters.
There are many species that make this annual trek. Among the most popular are the blue whales, grays and humpbacks because of their sheer size. They also have propensity for surfacing frequently and even jumping out of the water, creating a truly breathtaking show of size and power. Minke whales, fin backs and even orcas, also known as killer whales, are also usually spotted in the area.
When you look for a tour to join, you will have lots of options. The biggest one is deciding the size of boat you want to ride on to watch. There are smaller, speedboat type options that only seat small parties or individuals. They go very fast and bring you as close as possible to the whales.
If a speedy, up close and personal encounter is not quite your bag, then perhaps the larger boats that are slower and more leisurely is your speed. These often have a snack bar to buy food and drinks, and an inside area that is climate controlled. It is the best options for families with small children, or if anyone in your party has special mobility needs, such as needing a wheelchair or walker to get around. This is by far the more common trip that people book.
The length of tour is the next thing you need to decide. Shorter trips that last only a few hours for those in time crunch are available, as well as all day tours that let you have a much longer lasting experience with the chance to see more whales. Finally, there are overnight ones that let you have the full experience.
Whales are not the only sea creatures that are known to gather in the waters surrounding Catalina. In addition, you may see harbor porpoises or even dolphins. In the air, there are seagulls and if you are lucky, bald eagles.
Make sure you book in advance, as tours do fill up quickly. You will also want to keep an eye on the weather, as bad weather can cause the waters to get choppy, which could in turn force the operators to cancel the tour. If the weather is looking bad, call your tour operator and ask if the boats are still going out before heading to the pier.
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If you are looking for information about whale watching Catalina Island residents can visit our web pages today. More details are available at http://www.catalinacoastaltours.com/tours-rates.html now.
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