Humpbacks in California October?

Posted by Proper_Product_3376@reddit | whales | View on Reddit | 14 comments

Hi all!
I will be in Northern California this October and wondering if anyone has tips if I can see humpbacks or other species around this time, and where the best places are? Thank you!!

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5150lorikeet@reddit

I’m down in Southern California … but I’ve seen many even this past week, I’m sure they’d be further north too

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Proper_Product_3376@reddit (OP)

wow amazing! do you just go to a beach or lookout point to see them or are you out on the water a lot?

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5150lorikeet@reddit

I am lucky to work on a whale watching boat, not every day but I also keep track of recent sightings too. Today we saw a humpback whale right off abalone cove in a feeding frenzy

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Sad_Collection5883@reddit

If you live in cali is it normal to see whales often?

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5150lorikeet@reddit

Depends on the season … winter and spring we have grey whales on their migration, summertime we get blues … year round whales are fins, minkes and humpbacks

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I’m actually going to Santa Cruz in mid-October to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing whales. And to meet my pen pal cousin I’ve never met. We’re 61. I’m going on a tour boat one day and a kayak adventure the next. I certainly hope I’ll see whales!

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Proper_Product_3376@reddit (OP)

Wow I would love to kayak too but saw that you need to be an experienced sea kayaker, is that right?

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BeachedBottlenose@reddit

There’s a slough tour out of Moss Landing on Elkhorn Slough. It’s for beginners and uses tandem kayaks. I want to go out to the ocean but my cousin gets seasick. I’m doing a standard whale watching tour and am going to go tide pooling one afternoon.

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Diver_Dave@reddit

You can definitely see humpbacks in October! The best places to leave from are Santa Cruz or Monterey. If you haven’t been to Monterey, it is well worth it. There are morning 4-hour trips. Wear layers - it can be cold on the water!!

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Sad_Collection5883@reddit

What’s the best season for whale watching in Monterey?

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Diver_Dave@reddit

You can see whales year-round in Monterey. The “best” is probably late summer. But I’m going out next week and there are still plenty of whales. The specific mix of whales changes: humpbacks, blues, grays, and orcas.

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toshgiles@reddit

Miss landing (between these two) is a great option!

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Diver_Dave@reddit

Indeed! These guys are good: https://seagoddesswhalewatch.com. There is also a small boat that is fun: https://www.fastraft.com/tours/moss-landing-whale-watching-safari/

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My_2Cents_666@reddit

Moss Landing is right by the beginning of the underwater canyon, so you don’t have to travel as far to get there. I highly recommend this one: https://www.blueoceanwhalewatch.com