Oceanic Society Embarks on 24th Season of Farallon Islands Educational Whale Watching Cruises

San Francisco, CA. - May 14, 2008. The Oceanic Society announces the start of the 24th season of Farallon Island Educational Whale Watching Cruises. The Sanctuary is host to Blue and Humpback Whales, Dolphins, and sustains Seals, and Hundredss of Thousands of Seabirds.

The Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge is the largest seabird rookery in the eastern Pacific, south of Alaska and is also home to California sea lions, northern elephant seals, Steller's sea lions, harbor seals, and fur seals. The surrounding waters are part of the Gulf of Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, a bountiful marine ecosystem attracting as many as eighteen species of whales and dolphins. As the official partner of the Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge, providing public access to this exceptional wilderness area, the nonprofit Oceanic Society operates educational day-long boat trips to the islands beginning May 24 and running through November 30, 2008.
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<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Located just 27 miles off San Francisco, the Farallon Islands are refuge for more than 300,000 birds including nesting Tufted Puffins, Pigeon Guillemots, Rhinoceros Auklets, murres, oystercatchers, and cormorants. White sharks patrol the gulf in search of a seal meal, while Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbor porpoise, Risso's dolphins and northern right whale dolphins thrive in the nutrient rich waters. <!--[endif]-->

<!--[if !supportEmptyParas]-->Few places in the world offer the opportunity to observe blue whales, at 85-feet the largest animal to have ever lived on earth. The Gulf of the Farallones is a known seasonal feeding site not only for blue whales but also for hundreds of endangered humpback whales. <!--[endif]-->

Although the refuge is closed to public access, wildlife can be observed, studied and photographed aboard the Society's 56-foot Coast Guard certified vessel Salty Lady.  Nature enthusiasts can view whales, dolphins, seals, seabirds, and other marine wildlife in their natural habitat.  Past whale watchers have enjoyed special humpback whale events such as close-up behavior displays including lunge-feeding, double breaching and flipper slaps.  Naturalists assist with locating whales and other marine wildlife, provide informative presentations on the biology and ecology of the local marine wildlife, the human history of the islands, and lead entertaining discussions.

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Since 1984, the Oceanic Society has served over 50,000 people on Farallon Islands expeditions, fostering public awareness about the refuge and offering the general public an excellent way to experience the Refuge's wildlife in a non-invasive manner.

Boat trips depart Saturdays, Sundays and select Fridays, May 24 through November 30, 2008, from the Marina Green in San Francisco starting at 8:00 am and last approximately eight hours.  Cost is $105 per person. Special group rates are available.  Participants supply their own food and beverage. Minimum age is 10 years and must be accompanied by an adult. 

Reservations are on a first-come basis and can be made by calling 415-474-3385 or going to Oceanic Society's web site <www.oceanic-society.org>. Call our special hotline for current wildlife sightings: 415-474-0488.

Founded in 1969, the mission of the nonprofit Oceanic Society is to protect marine wildlife and oceanic biodiversity through an integrated program of scientific research and environmental education.

(Download PDF Press Release, including additional information)