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.
The reason Catalina Island draws so many whale watching visitors is that it is the perfect location due to its proximity to breeding and birthing grounds. Many whales spend their summers in the Arctic waters surrounding Alaska. However, during mating season, they come to the Catalina area to either mate or give birth before heading back north again.
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 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.
If this daredevil type of experience is not for you, then you can opt for much larger ferry type of boats that hold hundreds of passengers at once. These are slower, but they also have things like bathrooms and climate control, and possibly even a snack bar to buy foods and drinks. This is the better option if you may get sea sick, have small children, a wheelchair, or elderly people in your group, as it is more stable than the smaller boats.
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.
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.
You should book your tour in advance, as the busy season fills up quickly and you don't want to get left out. Look out for the weather on your appointed day. Choppy waters may force the tour operator to cancel, so if the weather looks bad, call before you leave to ensure that the boat is still going out so you do not waste your time and can reschedule faster.
The reason Catalina Island draws so many whale watching visitors is that it is the perfect location due to its proximity to breeding and birthing grounds. Many whales spend their summers in the Arctic waters surrounding Alaska. However, during mating season, they come to the Catalina area to either mate or give birth before heading back north again.
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 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.
If this daredevil type of experience is not for you, then you can opt for much larger ferry type of boats that hold hundreds of passengers at once. These are slower, but they also have things like bathrooms and climate control, and possibly even a snack bar to buy foods and drinks. This is the better option if you may get sea sick, have small children, a wheelchair, or elderly people in your group, as it is more stable than the smaller boats.
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.
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.
You should book your tour in advance, as the busy season fills up quickly and you don't want to get left out. Look out for the weather on your appointed day. Choppy waters may force the tour operator to cancel, so if the weather looks bad, call before you leave to ensure that the boat is still going out so you do not waste your time and can reschedule faster.
About the Author:
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment