What to Expect in February
February is when the gray whale migration turns around. Early in the month, the whales are still heading south to Baja California. From late February, the first ones head back north to their Arctic feeding grounds, including mothers with their calves.
Along with January, February is one of the two busiest gray whale months in our log. Pacific white-sided dolphins are still here for the winter, and common dolphins show up on most days. Our guide to gray whales off Oceanside covers how to spot one.
February at a Glance
- One of the two busiest months for gray whales
- The migration turns north from late February
- The first mothers with calves heading north
- Valentine’s Day cruises, booked by phone
What the Crew Logs in February
From the crew’s sightings log since 2015. Compare every month.
- Most days Gray Whales, Common Dolphins
- Often Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins
- Sometimes Mola Mola, Fin Whales
- Rarely Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Risso’s Dolphins, Mako Sharks, Thresher Sharks, Blue Sharks
From 223 days with trips in February 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.
February 2026: What the Crew Logged
18 days with trips.
- 25 Gray Whales
- 2 Minke Whales
- 1 Humpback Whale
- 1 Fin Whale
Dolphins
- 16,050 Common Dolphins
- 205 Pacific White-Sided Dolphins
We also saw
- 3 Blue Sharks
Counts add up across trips, so an animal seen on two trips is counted twice. Dolphin numbers are the crew’s estimates.
Valentine’s Day on the Water
Our Valentine’s Day cruises are booked by phone. Call us for this year’s sailing times and availability.
See the Valentine’s Day cruise details, or give a gift card for a whale watching cruise. Gift cards never expire.
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.
February Questions
Can you see gray whales in February?
Yes. February is one of the two busiest gray whale months in our log, along with January. Sightings are never guaranteed, and the log above shows how often each species turns up in February.
When do gray whale calves pass Oceanside?
Mothers and calves start heading north in late February. March and April are the best months to see them. More in winter vs. spring whale watching.
How do I book the Valentine’s Day cruise?
By phone. Call us at 760-277-3737 for this year’s sailing times and availability.
Whale watching season, month by month · More winter months: December, January, March
Whale Watching in February
Head out from Oceanside Harbor as the gray whale migration turns north.