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Though our winter whale watch season for observing the migrating gray whales has ended, we have been seeing early arrivals for the humback and blue whale season that usually gets going in full swing late spring into summer.
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| Though we currently do not have trips specifically dedicated to searching out and observing these whales, there is a chance to get a look while on a crossing to one of the island excursions, or during one of our North Shore Wildlife Cruises. On north shore wildlife excursions we look for marine mammals and seabrids on our journey to either Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island where we then cruise the shorline of one of these rugged volcanic islands. The following are dates and times for some upcoming North Shore Wildlife Cruises: | |
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Sun. April 13th, 9:30 & 1:30 out of Ventura Mon. May 5th, 9:00 out of Ventura Sun. May 11th, 9:30 out of Oxnard Sat. May 17th, 1:30 out of Ventura Sat. May 24th, 1:30 out of Ventura Sun. May 25th 9:00 out of Ventura Sun. June 1st, 9:30 out of Oxnard Sat. June 7th, 9:30 & 1:30 out of Oxnard |
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| General information about the blue and humpback whales we see. | |
 Photo © Kathy deWet-Oleson |
The blue and humpback whales travel to the waters near the northern Channel Islands to feed in the summer months. The blue whale, possibly the largest animal ever on the planet, feeds on one of the smallest creatures of the sea, known as krill. The sample of krill shown left, was scooped from the surface of the water during a North Shore Wildlife Cruise, and passengers got a close look at this important food source that the blue whales have come to consume. The whales will move through the area following this food source during the summer. |
 Photo © Kathy deWet-Oleson |
The humpback whales are the show stoppers when it comes to breaching, tail lobing and other amazing feats. Passengers aboard Island Packers whale watching tours, as well as island trips, in 2007 were witness to humpback whales performing acrobatic and feeding behaviors this summer. The whale shown left was seen off the west end of Santa Cruz Island as campers were returning from a beautiful weekend camping on Santa Rosa Island in July 2007. |