Every year, whale pods migrate up and down the Pacific coast, passing through the San Diego area as they glide through the Pacific Ocean.
These gentle, charming, beautiful, and majestic creatures make San Diego their home for such a brief time. If you’ve never seen a whale up close, we can’t strongly recommend the opportunity to see these magnificent animals just off the San Diego coast. Their migration patterns offer two seasons each year to create once-in-a-lifetime memories.
A whale watching tour will take you from the San Diego coastline out onto the ocean, where you’ll get to experience the joy of these animals up close and personal.
Birch Aquarium Gray Whale Tail Statue
Vast Marine Life off the Coast of San Diego
San Diego is one of the best cities in the US for whale watching. There’s a good chance you’ll see whales on any tour you take plus seabirds and lots of other sea life as well.
Different species of whales pass through San Diego, including gray whales, blue whales, orcas, fin whales, and much more. Plus you’ll surely see other stunning marine wildlife, such as dolphins and sea lions to name a few possibilities.
Blue Whales
As the waters off of San Diego warm for summer and fall, Blue Whales make their way north from their breeding grounds. The reason? The krill rich waters of the Pacific.
- Best time to see them: Summer & Fall
Fin Whales
These magnificent whales have earned the nickname “the greyhounds” of the ocean. Despite their size, the Fin Whales are remarkably fast. Up to 29 mph!
Fin Whales are also endangered, which makes seeing one in the wild an extraordinary experience.
- Best time to see them: Summer & Fall
Gray Whales
Gray Whales make a 12,000 mile journey from Alaska down to Baja California. It’s here that their calves are born, nurtured, and grow strong.
Fun fact! According to The Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Gray Whales travel alone or in small pods, but during migration, they will travel together!
- Best time to see them: Winter & Spring
Humpback Whales
Known for their stunning acrobatics, Humpback Whales dazzle viewers with their trademark breaches, tail slaps, and beautiful themed songs.
- Best time to see them: Fall & Spring
Orcas
These apex predators travel through the area year round, however, spotting one is still rare.
According to oceanographers from the Scripps Institution, as a result of El Niño, 2024’s warmer waters have brought a pod up from Mexico into our waters.
Making this the perfect time to see them in San Diego!
- Best time to see them: Summer
Dolphins
While on tour, you’ll have the chance to spot the Long and Short Beak Commons, Bottlenose, Risso’s, and Pacific White-Sided Dolphins tagging along for the ride.
- Best time to see them: Year Round