During the 1950s, local marine phenomena around Los Angeles County, such as grunion fish spawning on the beach and migrating gray whales, were incorporated into unique and highly popular programs that continue to evolve around the South Bay & LA today. The programs were recognized nationally by National Geographic magazine circa 1969 and today, one of those programs, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has been endemic in educating land-lovers about the beauty of the sea around us and was instrumental in the founding of the American Cetacean Society, the oldest whale conservation organization in the United States.
Whale sighting near Redondo Beach aboard the Voyager (Photo Credit: South Bay Events)
Flash forward toward the south end of Santa Monica Bay as well as the waters off Palos Verdes Peninusla & Catalina Channel the last couple years and both CMA & ACS have been busy documenting and observing what you might call a whale bubble. In 2014 the ACS had a record-breaking year spotting gray whales atop their Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, but this year it appears that Humpback Whales have earned an early spotlight midway through whale watching season, which ends sometime in mid-April. During whale watching season trained volunteers called citizen scientists gather at PVIC and collect an official whale census. Last winter there were even Orca (Killer whales) sightings.
Make your own tally of blow-holes and breaches this season from a safe and curated distance aboard the many operations that make a living out of educating whale watching fans & tourists. Go to sea any day of the week through mid-April in search of migrating Pacific gray whales and a host of other marine life including dolphins, seals and sea lions. Below are some ports of entry for whale watching adventures around the South Bay. All boats are staffed with a trained naturalist from Cabrillo Whalewatch, a joint effort of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and American Cetacean Society/Los Angeles Chapter.
Voyager Excursions in Redondo Beach – Double- Decker seating available and cruises usually last about two to three hours. Weekend tours at 10 a.m. & 1:30 pm cost $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 6 to 12; under 6 admitted for free. Groups of 25 or more are $10 per person. 181 N. Harbor Drive in Redondo Beach (310) 944-1219www.voyagerexcursions.com
Spirit Cruises in San Pedro – On the weekends cruises leave at 12:45 pm (10 a.m. for groups of 50+) and costs are $33 for adults, $16 for children 12 & under and children under 5 are free. Ports O’ Call Village at 1200 Nagoya Way in San Pedro (310) 548-8080 www.spiritmarine.com
Official whale tally by American Cetacean Society – Los Angeles Chapter (Photo Credit: Voyager Excursions)
For a little Southern California whale history, stop by the Point Vicente Interpretive Center and see what the current whale count is up to, you may event get to talk to a volunteer from the American Cetacean Society (Los Angeles Chapter). Whale count as of Febuary 2, 2015 is as follows: 18 Gray Whales; 1 Humpback Whale and 100+ common dolphins. Have a whale of a time! Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Drive West, Rancho Palos Verdes (310) 377-5370