Whale Watching
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Commercial whale-watching in California dates back to the winter of 1955 when trips were organized to see gray whales as they migrated past southern California. The cost then was $1.00. (Compare that to $9.00-15.00, today's price for a similar whale-watching excursion!!!) Pioneer whale-watching naturalist Raymond M. Gilmore soon took over the trips, which became something of a legend in California. They were whale-watching at its best_part science, part education, full of unpredictable whale action and lots of fun. They were popular over three decades into the mid-1980s. Gilmore witnessed the growth of intense public interest in the whales and the rapid growing pains of an industry that by the late 1970s had spread throughout the west coast of North America along the entire length of the gray whale migration. From there it expanded to include other whale species in California, and to whales in the North Atlantic and around the world. In 1991, there were more than 50 companies or non-profit organizations operating tours from 20 ports along the California coast. The whale-watching season in California varies along the coast during winter as the grays migrate south each year from the Arctic Circle to the warm water lagoons of Baja California, Mexico to mate and give birth to their young. The gray whales' winter migration usually begins in October and peaks in January. In the spring, they return north to feed off the coast of Alaska. During summer months, blue humpback and other whales can be seen. Redondo Beach is one of the most popular ports for avid whale watchers. Occasionally, killer whales are spotted in Santa Monica Bay as they follow schools of squid and other food sources. Very social and usually more active than the gray whales that pass through the Bay, Killer whales are typically found farther north, especially off the western coast of Canada. Because of their popularity and the potential for adverse human impact on these species, whales are protected by national and international laws. Whale-watching boats must keep their distance from the animals and not disturb or harass them. However, if the whales choose to approach the boat, whale watchers enjoy a memorable experience with one of the ocean's most beautiful creatures.
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