Where To See Dolphins In California?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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According to Roame,

Southern California

is one of the best places in the world to spot a megapod of dolphins, as they spend all year just off the coast of Newport Beach. Other marine life often seen in the area includes humpback whales, fin whales, gray whales, and blue whales.

When can you see dolphins in California?

If you’re interested in gray whales, humpback whales, dolphins, and sea lions, Turner suggests coming down to Southern California any time

between January and April

. For blue whales and finback whales, try May through September. And for minke whales, come October through December.

What beaches in California have dolphins?


Laguna Beach

, the Common Dolphin’s Playground. Common dolphins are so much fun, they should be called extraordinary dolphins! They are the most abundant flippered friends that we encounter off Laguna Beach with over 400,000 dolphins found off the Southern California coastline.

Are there any dolphins in California?


There are two kinds of common dolphins to watch off the coast of Southern California

: the long-beaked common dolphin and the short-beaked common dolphin.

Can you see dolphins in Newport Beach?

Best Season for Whale Watching: Newport Beach


Throughout the year, you can observe dolphins

, seals and some of nature’s most incredible mammals at play.

How do you find dolphins at the beach?

Find a comfy spot and keep watching for tell tale signs The following signs often mean that there are whales or dolphins in the area: feeding birds circling above a particular spot, areas of still water or oily slicks (footprint), breaking wave crests or waves moving in the ‘wrong’ direction, big splashes and bursts of …

When can I see dolphins in Southern California?

Whale and Dolphin Watching Featured in

The migration can be observed from

December to May

, during this season they keep closer to the coast. You can also see whales in the open ocean—in the nature reserve Point Dume and Park Point Fermin Park by boat.

Are there orcas in California?

Although

killer whales have a decent population, this species in particular can be a bit more challenging to pinpoint, because they are more diversely spread out geographically

. With that being said, the best time to see killer whales in California is typically during the spring, between the months of February and May.

Are there dolphins in Malibu?

Watch for Whales, Dolphins, Sea Lions and Harbor Seals at Point Dume.

Plenty of marine mammals can be spotted from the shore in Malibu

.

Where can I see dolphins in Los Angeles?

  • The Blue Moon Dolphin Cruise. 9.2 mi. …
  • Charters 2000. 9.4 mi. …
  • Capt Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. 54.5 mi. …
  • Marina del Rey Whale Watching. 9.1 mi. …
  • Newport Coastal Adventure. 39.8 mi. …
  • LA Sailing. 10.1 mi. …
  • Parties at Sea. 9.4 mi. …
  • Malibu Coastal Adventures. 20.4 mi.

Where can I see dolphins in Malibu?

  • The Blue Moon Dolphin Cruise. 18.2 mi. Boating, Tours, Boat Charters. …
  • Malibu Coastal Adventures. 4.5 mi. 62 reviews. …
  • Charters 2000. 18.1 mi. …
  • Marina del Rey Whale Watching. 18.3 mi. …
  • LA Sailing. 17.6 mi. …
  • Parties at Sea. 18.1 mi. …
  • Harbor Breeze. 37.0 mi. …
  • Newport Coastal Adventure. 57.3 mi.

What time do dolphins come out?

Dolphins are most active at the crack of dawn,

between 10 am and noon, and from 2 pm till dusk

.

Are there dolphins in Pismo Beach?

December to April are the best months to watch gray whales on their annual migration. Humpback whales may be seen year round, and are increasingly seen in these waters.

Dolphins often are seen foraging and playing in the water

.

Are there dolphins in Santa Cruz?

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN: FAIRLY COMMON


Bottlenose seem to be more common in the northern or Santa Cruz side of the bay

. These frequent bowriders can sometimes be seen on our inner bay sunset cruise just outside the surf chasing feed.

Does California have dolphins or porpoises?

You can find

11 species of dolphins in California’s waters

: Short-beaked common dolphin. Long-beaked common dolphin. Short-finned pilot whale.

Are there orcas in Newport Beach?

In Newport Beach,

it’s not often that we encounter Killer Whales. But when we do, it’s typically around late December through early January

. Here is a compilation of our ‘best of’ clips of Killer whales. At the social heart of orca societies are mothers.

How long is whale watching in Newport Beach?

Newport Beach Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

Duration:

150 Minutes

(approx.)

What do you wear whale watching in Southern California?

When you pack a backpack or tote for whale watching, put in the obligatory

sunscreen, a hat or visor, a sweatshirt or sweater, and a jacket. Wear sunglasses, long pants or jeans, a comfortable shirt, socks, and comfortable shoes

.

Where is the best place to see dolphins?

  • Kaikoura, New Zealand. …
  • Hauraki Gulf, New Zealand. …
  • Plettenberg Bay, South Africa. …
  • The Florida Keys, USA. …
  • Hong Kong. …
  • Moreton Island, Australia. …
  • Vancouver Island, Canada. …
  • Bohol Sea, Philippines.

What is best time of day to see dolphins?

— The best times of day to spot dolphins are

around sunrise, mid-morning (between 10 a.m. and noon), and mid-afternoon (between 2 p.m. and sunset)

. — Please do not feed or attempt to touch our friends. This is illegal, and it also poses a threat to the dolphins themselves.

Can you swim at Dolphin Beach?

With soft white sand, few waves and clear blue water,

Dolphin Beach is a good place to go for a swim on a hot day

. It is located in the north of the park and is easily accessible from the car park.

Where can you see whales and dolphins in California?

  • Mendocino. …
  • San Francisco. …
  • Santa Cruz. …
  • Monterey County. …
  • Channel Islands. …
  • Los Angeles. …
  • Orange County. …
  • San Diego.

Are there dolphins in the Pacific Ocean?

Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins:

Bottlenose dolphins of the Pacific Ocean can be found from Japan to Australia and Southern Cali to Chile

. Spinner Dolphins: This dolphin species prefers warmer waters and can be found in the Pacific coast of Central America and even Thailand as well.

Are there dolphins in northern California?

Pacific White-Sided Dolphin


Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, endemic to the North Pacific, are one of the most abundant cetaceans along the central and northern California coastline

, often found in herds numbering over several hundred individuals.

Can you see orcas in Southern California?

Southern California

Seeing whales in Southern California is usually tied to the annual migrations of the grays between Mexico and Alaska. However,

it’s not out of the question to see orcas along the coast too

.

Where can I see blue whales?

The only place to see them is in the wild. And

Dana Point, California

, is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. During the summer months there are more blue whales off our coast than anywhere else in the world. Blue whale watching in Southern California is typically May through October.

Are there orcas in Laguna Beach?


The killer whales were first spotted offshore at Laguna Beach

. At around sunset, they had made their way to Newport Beach.

Timothy Chehowski
Author
Timothy Chehowski
Timothy Chehowski is a travel writer and photographer with over 10 years of experience exploring the world. He has visited over 50 countries and has a passion for discovering off-the-beaten-path destinations and hidden gems. Juan's writing and photography have been featured in various travel publications.