Whales you’ll see on a November Whale Watching Trip
Travelers to the California coast are sometimes unaware that whales and other sea life are visible on the state’s shores all year long. While almost all whales are migratory mammals with expansive ranges, different types of whales differ in their migration schedules. Just like anywhere else, some times are certainly better for viewing San Diego wildlife than others, but the entire year is open to spectacular whale watching adventures.
Whale Watching in November
Whale watching seasons in San Diego can be roughly split into two categories: the months from December to April, and the other months of the year. Starting in December, gray whales begin their travels along the coast. Blue whales begin their journeys in June.
As November falls at the junction of the two main seasons, it can either be quiet or active for whale sightings. Since whale watching can be an inexact science, one of the best ways to hedge your bets for your next trip is to search recent whale sightings near me or view an online sightings log. Doing this can give you a much clearer idea of what to expect than any general overview.
Whale Species To Look Out For
November in San Diego hosts both gray whales and Humpback whales, two of the most popular and enigmatic whale species. While it is possible to see killer whales, such encounters are generally rare.
Gray Whales
Gray whales have largely recovered from large-scale hunting operations but still face considerable threats across the globe from pollution, overfishing, and shipping congestion. Gray whales can be distinguished from other whales by their double blowholes and abnormally short baleen used for filter feeding. Grays are extremely social and often travel the seas together with other cetaceans like dolphins.
Humpback Whales
Among the most popular whales for whale watching, humpbacks can be seen all year in San Diego as various groups migrate in and out of the area. Humpbacks can be easily distinguished from other whales by their characteristic body shape and bumpy skin texture. They love to breach the ocean’s surface in spectacular fashion, so be ready with a camera as soon as you catch a glimpse of one.
Other Fascinating Species
Whales aren’t the only creatures worth seeing on a whale watching tour in November. Dolphins, sea lions, and sea birds all live complex and fascinating lives along San Diego’s shores.
Dolphins
Dolphins are among the smartest creatures on earth. While they don’t have the breathtaking size of whales, they love to breach the water and spin in the air just for fun.
Pinnipeds
Sea lions and seals are social mammals with highly intricate social structures. Pinnipeds can be seen basking San Diego’s shores all year round.
Because of its advantageous position on the earth, San Diego is one of the world’s hotspots for whale watching. Before you book a trip, check out this list of whales by size to learn more about the whales you want to see. November is a great time for a tour, but so are all the other months of the year.
*This is a collaborative post.
