What to Expect in December
December is the start of gray whale season, which officially begins on November 28. Through December, the whales head south along the coast to the lagoons of Baja California, where many give birth.
In our log, gray whales turn up on some December trips, and January and February are busier. Pacific white-sided dolphins return for the winter, and common dolphins show up on most December days. Our guide to gray whales off Oceanside covers how to spot one.
December at a Glance
- Gray whales heading south to Baja California
- Pacific white-sided dolphins back for the winter
- Common dolphins on most days
- Holiday cruises on Saturday, December 12, 2026
What the Crew Logs in December
From the crew’s sightings log since 2015. Compare every month.
- Most days Common Dolphins
- Often Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
- Sometimes Gray Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins, Humpback Whales
- Rarely Minke Whales, Risso’s Dolphins, Fin Whales, Mola Mola, Swordfish, Orcas, Mako Sharks, Elephant Seals, Great White Sharks
From 230 days with trips in December since 2015. Most days is half or more of those days, often is one in five or more, sometimes is one in twenty or more.
December 2025: What the Crew Logged
22 days with trips.
- 6 Gray Whales 2 mom and calf
- 5 Humpback Whales
- 1 Minke Whale
Dolphins
- 12,690 Common Dolphins
- 520 Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
- 170 Bottlenose Dolphins
- 30 Risso’s Dolphins
We also saw
- 2 Swordfish
Counts add up across trips, so an animal seen on two trips is counted twice. Dolphin numbers are the crew’s estimates.
Holiday Cruises in December
The Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights and the Boat Ride with Santa both run on Saturday, December 12, 2026.
Watch the lit-up boats from the water on our Parade of Lights cruise, or bring the kids for a short Boat Ride with Santa around the harbor. If you’re shopping for someone, our gift cards never expire and are good for whale watching cruises.
For more ideas, read holiday activities 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.
Whales travel around the clock, so there’s no best time of day to see them. The water tends to be calmer in the morning, though. Cruises last two hours from Oceanside Harbor, and trips often sell out, so book ahead.
More planning help: what to wear, how to avoid seasickness and what the cruise costs.
December Questions
Can you see whales in December?
Yes. December is the start of gray whale season, and the crew logs gray whales and humpback whales on some December trips. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the log above shows how often each species turns up in December.
When does gray whale season start?
Gray whale season officially starts on November 28 and runs through the end of April. In our log, January and February are the busiest months.
Is the Parade of Lights cruise a whale watching trip?
No. The Parade of Lights cruise stays in the harbor to watch the boat parade. For whales, book the two-hour whale and dolphin cruise.
Whale watching season, month by month · More winter months: January, February, March
Whale Watching in December
Look for the first gray whales of the season on a two-hour cruise from Oceanside Harbor.