Gray Whale Watching
Coastal Gray Whale Watching runs December through May out of San Francisco, Half Moon Bay, Bodego Bay, and San Francisco. (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
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2007-2008 WHALE WATCHING SCHEDULE: Sign Up Here
San Francisco
Click here for trips from Half Moon Bay and Bodego Bay
DECEMBER 2007
Saturday, December 29
Sunday, December 30
JANUARY 2008
Saturday, January 5
Saturday, January 12
Saturday, January 19
Saturday, January 26
FEBRUARY 2008
Saturday, February 2
Saturday, February 9
Saturday, February 16
Saturday, February 23
Sunday, February 17
Sunday, February 24
MARCH 2008
Friday, March 21
Friday, March 28
Saturday, March 1
Saturday, March 8
Saturday, March 15
Saturday, March 22
Saturday, March 29
Sunday, March 2
Sunday, March 9
Sunday, March 16
Sunday, March 23
Sunday, March 30
APRIL 2008
Friday, April 4
Friday, April 11
Saturday, April 5
Saturday, April 12
Saturday, April 19
Saturday, April 26
Sunday, April 6
Sunday, April 13
Sunday, April 20
Sunday, April 27
MAY 2008
Saturday, May 3
Saturday, May 10
Sunday, May 4
Sunday, May 11
2007-2008 WHALE WATCHING RATES
San Francisco:
$90 Saturday, Sunday/Adults, Children, Seniors
$85 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
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