SAN DIEGO WHALE WATCHING SEASON

In San Diego the whale watching is year round. However, there are unique segments when different whale and dolphin species can be seen. These segments relate to 3 distinct groups of cetaceans that can be encountered in San Diego; resident species, seasonal feeders and migratory transients.

Resident species include; Fin whales, Minke whales, Short and Long Beaked Common dolphins, Bottlenose dolphins (both eco-types) and Risso’s dolphins.

Seasonal feeders include; Blue whales, Humpback whales, Bryde’s whales and Pacific White Sided dolphins

Migratory transients include: Gray whales

To plan your whale and dolphin watching experiences in San Diego you can refer to the chart below for a general idea of when certain species of cetacean are typically observed. For sightings reports visit our Sightings page, Facebook, and Instagram.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec
Blue Whale Blue Whale Blue Whale Blue Whale Blue Whale
Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale Fin Whale
Gray Whale Gray Whale Gray Whale Gray Whale
Humpback Humpback Humpback Humpback Humpback
Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke Minke
Bryde’s Bryde’s Bryde’s
Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin Common Dolphin
Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose Bottlenose
Risso’s Risso’s Risso’s Risso’s Risso’s Risso’s
PWS Dolphins PWS Dolphins PWS Dolphins