When Is Whale Watching Season in San Diego?
It’s always whale watching season off Oceanside and San Diego. Gray whales pass from late November through April, and blue whales visit from May to November. Humpback and fin whales turn up all year.
Our crew has logged what they see on trips from Oceanside Harbor, in North County San Diego, since July 2015. This page sorts that log by month. For the most recent days, see whale sightings.
The Year at a Glance
- December to April: gray whale migration, busiest in January and February
- March and April: gray whale mothers and calves heading north, with fin whales picking up into May
- May to September: blue whales, most often in June and July
- All year: humpback whales, most often in November, and common dolphins on most days
Whales and Dolphins by Month
How often the crew logged each species in each month since July 2015.
- Most days
- Often
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Not logged
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Whales | Most days | Most days | Most days | Often | Sometimes | Rarely | Not logged | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Sometimes | January to March |
| Blue Whales | Not logged | Not logged | Rarely | Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Rarely | Rarely | Not logged | Not logged | June and July |
| Humpback Whales | Sometimes | Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Often | Sometimes | November |
| Fin Whales | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Often | Often | Sometimes | Sometimes | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | May |
| Minke Whales | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Rarely | Rarely | May, July and August |
| Orcas | Not logged | Not logged | Not logged | Not logged | Not logged | Not logged | Rarely | Not logged | Rarely | Rarely | Not logged | Rarely | Rarely logged |
| Common Dolphins | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | Most days | All year |
| Bottlenose Dolphins | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often | Often | Sometimes | Often | Sometimes | March and May to September |
| Pacific White-Sided Dolphins | Often | Often | Often | Sometimes | Rarely | Not logged | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes | Often | December to February |
| Risso’s Dolphins | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely logged |
| Mola Mola | Rarely | Sometimes | Sometimes | Sometimes | Often | Often | Often | Sometimes | Sometimes | Rarely | Rarely | Rarely | May to July |
Darker means the crew logged that species on more of the days they went out. Most days is half or more, often is one in five or more, sometimes is one in twenty or more.
Winter Month Guides
One guide for each gray whale month, with what the crew logs and what to bring.
Winter: Gray Whale Migration
Gray whale season officially runs from November 28 through the end of April. From December to February, the gray whales head south to the lagoons of Baja California, where many give birth. From late February, they head back north with their calves.
Spring: Calves and Fin Whales
March and April are the best months for gray whale mothers and calves, which travel slowly and close to the coast. Fin whales are logged most often in spring, with a peak in May.
Summer: Blue Whales
Blue whales visit from May to November and are logged most often in June and July. Minke whales and mola mola, the ocean sunfish, also show up most in summer. Our post on whale watching in July covers the peak.
Fall: Humpback Whales
Humpback whales are logged all year, most often in November. Pacific white-sided dolphins arrive for the winter from November. For early fall, read whale watching in September.
More reading: whale watching season in San Diego and the best times for whale watching in Oceanside.
Before You Go
Dress in warm layers: it’s always 10 to 15 degrees cooler on the ocean than in the harbor. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen if you plan to stay outside.
Cruises last two hours and leave from Oceanside Harbor, 30 minutes north of SeaWorld San Diego. Trips often sell out, so book ahead.
Season Questions
When is whale watching season in San Diego?
It’s always whale watching season here. Gray whales pass from late November through April, and blue whales visit from May to November. Humpback and fin whales turn up all year.
When do gray whales migrate past San Diego?
They head south from about December into February, on the way to Baja California. From late February through April they head back north, with mothers traveling alongside their calves.
What is the best month for whale watching?
It depends on the whale. In our log, gray whales are busiest in January and February, blue whales in June and July, fin whales in May, and humpback whales in November.
Is it better to go in the morning or the afternoon?
Whales travel around the clock, so there’s no best time of day to see them, but the water tends to be calmer in the morning.
Will we see whales?
Sightings are never guaranteed. The table above shows how often the crew has logged each species in each month.
Pick Your Month
Two-hour whale and dolphin cruises from Oceanside Harbor, narrated by a naturalist captain, all year round.