Are there killer whales in Northern California?

Asked by: Melinda Gray

Best Time for Whale Watching They pass the Northern California coast from December through February, and they’re northward-bound from March through May. Killer whales (orcas) are also spotted once in a while along the Northern California Coast.

Where are killer whales found in California?

These locations include Long Beach, Monterey Bay, and San Diego. Historically, these Cali coasts have been recorded as seeing a denser killer whale population, particularly during feeding times when their prey is also populous.

Does California have killer whales?

Killer whales range worldwide, and individuals belong to regional ecological groups, called ecotypes. There are three major ecotypes found within the California Current: residents, transients, and offshore killer whales. The easiest to encounter is the southern resident killer whale ecotype.

Do killer whales live near California?

Most killer whales observed in Monterey Bay are “transient” whales. “Transient” whales typically prey on marine mammals such as harbor seals or sea lions. It is estimated that close to 200 “transient” orcas reside off the California coast.

Are there killer whales in the Bay Area?

‘Outer Coast’ Killer Whales Found in Monterey Bay Feast on Big Marine Mammals – CBS San Francisco.

Can you see orcas in San Francisco?

This is the busy travel season in San Francisco and when plenty of people are on the water whale watching. During this time of year, you can expect to see Humpbacks and Blues. From March to May, you might even catch a glimpse of a Gray, Sperm, or Killer (Orcas) whale.

Are there orcas on the West Coast?

Along the coast of the Pacific Northwest, West Coast Bigg’s killer whales number around 400 individuals. They have a vast home range which extends from Alaska to Northern California, and with a tendency to be continuously on the move, it’s difficult to track every single whale in the population year-to-year.

Are there killer whales in Monterey Bay?

Although April and May are the peak sighting months for Killer Whales in Monterey Bay, they may be encountered at any time of the year. We typically sight Killer Whales about 2-7 times per week during this Spring period, as sightings vary annually.

Does SF Bay have sharks?

Around 11 species of Sharks are found in the Bay itself – including Leopard Shark, Pacific Angel Shark, Brown Smoothhound, Broadnose Sevengill, Soupfin Shark. The Leopard Shark is the most common in the Bay. Small Spiny Dogfish are found swimming on the bottom of the Bay.

When can you see whales in Northern California?

In Northern California, your best time to spot gray whales and orcas is December to May. For humpbacks, visit May through November, and for blue whales, the largest animal on Earth, plan your stay sometime between July and October.

Can you see whales in Northern California?

Migrating gray whales are the species seen most often in Northern California. Their migration starts in the Arctic Ocean and ends 10,000 to 12,000 miles south off the coast of Mexico. They pass the Northern California coast from December through February, and they’re northward-bound from March through May.

Can you see whales in Eureka CA?

1. Eureka. Located on the shores of Humboldt Bay, Eureka, CA is the largest coastal city between San Francisco and Portland. Outdoor recreation is abundant, with activities like boating, sport fishing, kayaking, and whale watching all available close by.