A Guide to Blue Whale Watching in San Diego

The blue whale is the most enormous creature on Earth; these gentle giants can grow to 98 feet and weigh up to 400,000 pounds. Seeing a blue whale in person is something everyone should add to their bucket list. When you visit San Diego, you can cross that item off your list; blue whales migrate during the summer and fall months, passing by San Diego along the way. That means you’ll have whale watching opportunities if you visit San Diego at the right time.

At Bluewater Vacation Homes, we believe everyone should take in the grandness of a blue whale. As area experts, we know all about whale watching in San Diego; continue reading to give yourself the best chance of seeing a blue whale.

When Do Whales Pass By San Diego?

From mid-June through September, blue whales swim through the waters off of San Diego, feeding off of the coast. This timeframe is when you will have a chance to view these incredible creatures on a whale watching excursion.

Is a Whale Watching Tour Necessary?

You would have to get extremely lucky to spot blue whales off the coast of San Diego on land. Blue whales typically spend their time in the region further out in the ocean, so you’ll need to be on a boat to increase the odds of seeing them. A San Diego whale watching tour will give you the best chance to see these majestic creatures.

The Best Blue Whale Watching Tours in San Diego

There is a wide variety of seasonal whale watching tours in the San Diego area. We have a couple of whale watching tour companies we like to recommend to our guests.

  • Hornblower Tours & Events: Hornblower offers whale and dolphin watching tours all year long. In the summer is when you can expect to see blue whales. Their onboard staff will narrate the entire tour, giving you more insight into these giants.
  • Legacy Whale Watch: Set sail on the Legacy, an 80-foot tour boat with plenty of windows throughout and outdoor seating on the bow and upper deck. Like Hornblower, they offer whale watching tours almost all year.

The best part of going on a whale watching tour in San Diego is that even if you don’t see a blue whale, you have a good chance of seeing other whale species, like minke or finn. You’ll almost surely spot other fascinating wildlife, like dolphins, sea lions, marine birds, and more.

What to Bring on Your San Diego Whale Watching Tour

Come prepared for your San Diego whale watching tour. We recommend bringing a camera to capture action shots of any whales you encounter during your tour. If you have a zoom lens, this is the perfect opportunity to put it to use. We also suggest packing sunglasses and sunscreen because it can be quite sunny. You might want to bring a long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, or jacket because the weather can get a little brisk further out into the Pacific. 

Enjoy a Getaway to San Diego in Luxury

After enjoying a day out on the water, hopefully spotting blue whales, return to your San Diego vacation home rental from Bluewater Vacation Homes. Our luxurious vacation rentals are the perfect home base for any San Diego vacation. We would love to host you on your unforgettable trip; please book online or call 858-605-1497 for more information.

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