Pacific Gray Whales
Seasonal Cruises: December 26th - Early April
Non-landing Whale Watching Cruise
Once on the brink of extinction, the pacific gray whale has made a remarkable recovery and can be watched and admired while traveling along the coast during its annual migration. The migration can be observed aboard one of our comforatable vessels from January - early April, with 3 hour non-landing excursions.
During the cruise our naturalists will engage students in a progam that covers the remarkable journey of the Pacific gray whale. Students will have an opportunity to better understand how the migration is part of the species survival strategy, and how this predictable annual migration also nearly led to their extinction. In addition, students will have a chance to learn what actions have been taken to help save the gray whale from extinction, and what they can do to help the whales and other ocean animals continue to live in a helathy ocean home.
Whale watching cruises can also be combined into one of our regular island excursions. During the annual gray whale migration, whales are often found during the ocean crossing from the mainland to Anacapa or Santa Cruz. If you book an educational cruise in January - March we are happy to make a sepcial effort to look for and observe whales during the crossing to and from the island. Simply schedule your educational cruise to the island of your choice and indicate on your "field trip planner" that you are interested in whale watching on the way to the islands.
Anacapa Island: $31.00 or Santa Cruz Island: $36.00
There are many ways to learn more about the marine habitats and the marine mammals of the local area. If you plan a trip with Island Packers, view the pdf "Marine Mammals".
*Click image to the right to download. This guide is packed full of information and colorful images. Including information about the oceanographic conditions, like the rugged seafloor that helps produce nutirent upwellings, an important link in the ocean food chain that attracts some of marine mammals to the local area like dolphin, seals and sea lions. You can also view bi-weekly updates on Island Packers whale and dolphin sightings.
You can also link to the American Cetacean Society to download whale and dolphin fact sheets in both English and Spanish. Other useful links include the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Encyclopedia, or the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Marine Mammal Sightings Data Base.