Whale Watching: Half Moon Bay

GRAY WHALE WATCHING: Half Moon Bay

The annual gray whale migration, one of the world's most magnificent and accessible wildlife spectacles, is underway. Each year approximately 15,000 of an estimated total population of 17,500 gray whales swim south from Arctic feeding grounds, en route to their Baja California breeding and calving grounds.

From December through May, gray whales can be observed a few miles off California’s shore, and whale watchers aboard Oceanic Society’s naturalist-led Whale Watch boats have a unique vantage from which to view this incredible "parade."

Read about Oceanic Society's whale watching trips and interview with the Society's cetacean biologist and naturalist Izzy Szczepaniak in the award-winning Bay Nature publication on-line: www.baynature.org 

During each cruise our expert naturalists give talks on gray whales and the conservation efforts which brought them back from near extinction. These exciting and educational cruises are held on board motorized diesel vessels, from San Francisco (6-1/2 hours), and from  Half Moon Bay (3 hours) every Saturday, Sunday and select Fridays from December through mid-May.

TRIP INFORMATION

Departure: Pillar Point Yacht Harbor (approx. 1 hour south of San Francisco).

Trip times and duration:  Half Moon Bay departures

December 22 - March 10:  One Trip Per Day - 3.5 hours from 10 am-1:30pm.

March 16- May 12: Two Trips per Day -  3 hours from 9 am-12 pm & 1 pm-4 pm.

Itinerary: Flexible; generally, off-shore 1-12 miles into the gray whale migration path.

Vessel: Cruises are aboard the Salty Lady, a 56' Coast Guard certificated, fully insured motor vessel with an open observation deck and indoor salon; seating is limited. The captain is experienced in natural history cruises.

Passenger capacity: 48.

Parking: Free off-street parking at the harbor.

Food & Refreshments: Bring snack and beverage.

Age Restrictions: Youths under 15 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Children under age 7 will not be permitted on the boat.

TRIPS GO RAIN OR SHINE!

For information on Half Moon Bay:  http://www.halfmoonbayshops.com or http://www.halfmoonbayactivities.com ">

www.facebook.com/OceanicSociety

2012/2013 RATES

$48 Saturday/Sunday/Adults,
$45 Children (ages 7-15) and Seniors

$44 Friday/Adults, Seniors and Children (ages 7-15)

Group Rates for 10 or more:
$40 per person, Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays

Call 415 256-9941 for terms and details.

2012-2013 SCHEDULE

December 2012

Saturday, December 22         -register

Sunday, December 23         -register

Saturday, December 29      -register

Sunday, December 30         -register

JANUARY 2013

Saturday, January 5       -register
Sunday, January 6         -register
Saturday, January 12     -register
Sunday, January 13       -register
Saturday, January 19     -register
Sunday, January 20        -register
Saturday, January 26      -register
Sunday, January 27        -register 

FEBRUARY 2013

Saturday, February 2       -register
Sunday, February 3        -register
Saturday, February 9     -register
Sunday, February 10        -register
Saturday February 16       -register
Sunday, February 17       -register
Sunday, February 24       -register

MARCH 2013

Saturday, March 2          -register
Sunday, March 3          -register
Saturday, March 9        -register
Sunday, March 10          -register
Satuday, March 16          -register
Sunday, March 17           -register
Saturday, March 23         -register
Sunday, March 24           -register

Saturday, March 30         -register

Sunday, March 31           -register

APRIL 2013

Saturday, April 6          -register
Sunday, April 7            -register

Saturday, April 13        -register
Sunday, April 14           -register

Saturday, April 20         -register
Sunday, April 21            -register

Saturday, April 27          -register

Sunday, April 28            -register

MAY 2013

Saturday, May 4            -register

Sunday, May 5              -register

Saturday, May 11          -register

Sunday, May 12             -register

We reserve the right to increase trip fees if there are exceptional cost increases for fuel.

RESERVATIONS
Online, Phone, Mail

Reservations recommended - call our office for availability (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm PST)

WHALE WATCHING GIFT CERTIFICATES

For WHALE WATCHING reservations & details call 415 256-9941