Saturday, August 4, 2018

The Joys Of Whale Watching Catalina Island

By Matthew Wright


Few creatures on earth inspire the same amount of awe as whales, especially when seen in their natural habitat. Part of the reason is that they are some of the largest animals on earth, not to mention some of the smartest besides humans. If you want to see them in person and either live in California or are visiting, then consider taking 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.

During the peak mating and nesting season, there are many species in the area that you will get a chance to glimpse in their natural habitat. Many people come for the largest ones, which includes humpbacks, grays and blue whales. You may also glimpse orcas, also known as killer whales, mikes and fin backs as well.

When it it time to book your tour, the kind of experience you want will dictate which one you book. There are large boats, but also smaller ones not much bigger than a speedboat. These are able to go faster to bring you closer to the action when some of the whales begin to surface, letting you really get close.

There are many reasons to take the smaller vessel, and many reasons not to. Perhaps you want a slower pace, more relaxed experience. Or, if you have a walker, wheelchair or an elderly person in your party who needs assistance getting around, then the larger barge-like boats are a much better option. The are also better for families, especially if you have a service dog or children who will need to be attended to while you are watching for the whales.

You can take a short tour that only lasts a couple of hours if you are short on time. If you have all day, then a day tour that comes back in the evening is ideal. You can even book an overnight experience where you stay in a room on a nearby island, allowing you to maximize the amount of whales you can see.

In addition to the aforementioned whales, you may also be able to see dolphins and porpoises that that live in the area. Many seals and birds also live in the vicinity, including seagulls and the national treasure 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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