Whale watching in California

uknick

At the end of February this year we are going to Hawaii. We intend to break our journey in California for a few days to go whale watching. Just in case the whales in Hawaii don't come out to play.

The current plan is to fly to LAX and then, I'd hoped to book into a hotel on the coast not too far from the airport. However, it looks like most of the whale tours are further south, Newport Beach or Long Beach.

Suggestions welcome as to the best location to start the whale tour from.

roonaldo

I saw whales went I went on a boat trip to the channel islands which is a group of islands just west of mid California. The ferry left from Oxnard which is 60 miles north of LA. http://www.islandpackers.com/

There is a few that go fro LA too, http://www.2seewhales.com/
http://www.losangeleswhalewatch.com/

uknick

Thanks for that. I'd seen the Long Beach ones advertised and think that might be where we have to stay to get the early tours.

jackieblack

Will you have a car? Long Beach is a fair distance from LAX.

uknick

jackieblack wrote: »

Will you have a car? Long Beach is a fair distance from LAX.

I know. There is a shuttle bus from LAX to there which seems reasonably priced. But, car hire is an option I'm looking at as it may be easier to get to the tour departure points. And, a car makes Disneyland an easy option as well

Moto2

February isn't the best month
It's too early for the Blues, Humpbacks and Finbacks but you stand a chance to see the Grays
Loads of dolphins including [maybe] Orcas

uknick

Main reason for holiday is humpbacks in hawaii. LA is really a break in the flights. But as we are in LA I thought why not see some more whales.

beluga

You should see plenty of whales in Hawaii, we went for Christmas and once in January a few years ago, and I've never seen so many whales, so active and so close. We've whale watched from east and west coast Canada and USA, and Hawaii was on a whole different scale. I'd reccommend trying different companies / types of boat to see them, and if you're fairly fit then ocean kayaking with the whales if amazing! Rafts etc get you much closer than the big boats.
I've not been whale watching from LA, but on the way back from Hawaii the first trip we stopped in San Diego and went out to watch grey whales, which was very good, but a much bigger boat and nowhere near as many whales as in Hawaii!

Just saw you're thinking of Disneyland too, jealous!
Let me know if you want any recommendations of whale watching companies in Hawaii (or any Disneyland info - we've been twice)

claire16c

You will see tons in Hawaii in Feb, its peak time.

We were really lucky and saw them in early April, even some from off the beach and quite a few on a boat. I would love to go in Feb one time but weve always gone in the summer or autumn. You can sit on the balcony of the condo and just watch them in the sea in winter. They call it whale soup!

Where are you going in Hawaii?

uknick

Thanks for the answers.

The plan is to spend 4 days on Maui and 4 days on Big Island. We will be hiring a car, on Big island at least.

The current favourites hotels to book are the

Aston Maui Kaanapali Vila and the
Marriot King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel


Suggestions for whale watch companies are most welcome.

claire16c

uknick wrote: »

Thanks for the answers.

The plan is to spend 4 days on Maui and 4 days on Big Island. We will be hiring a car, on Big island at least.

The current favourites hotels to book are the

Aston Maui Kaanapali Vila and the
Marriot King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel

Suggestions for whale watch companies are most welcome.

Perfect - was worried you might say you were going to Honolulu the whole time or something which I would not recommend. Maui and the Big Island are excellent. Kona is a good place to stay there. There is a great rocky beach there with the best snorkelling on the island, tons of turtles.

Im not really keen on Kaanapali though. Id much rather stay on the south of the island. Kaanapali is the most built up area. If thats what you like though then great. But be aware because its on the west side it will take you longer to drive to Haleakala, drive to Hana etc. We also stay in condos rather than hotels because you get more space but again personal choice.

We have stayed in Lahaina and Kihei. Prefer the beaches in the south in Kihei than anywhere else on the island.

We went with the Pacific Whale foundation from the Maalaea bay but think they also go from Lahaina if you stay on the west side of the island. We chose them because they had a big boat - but wasn't crowded, as some of us get sea sick so didnt want to be on anything too small.

To be honest there are so many companies and Ive been to Maui a few times and never heard anything bad about any, Id just pick one and go for it

You will need a car on Maui too.