Best Time to Go Whale Watching in Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay is one of the few places on Earth where you can see whales year-round. Because we leave from Moss Landing — right at the head of the Monterey Submarine Canyon, with deep water just minutes from the harbor — there’s almost always something out there. What changes through the year is which animals you’ll see. Here’s what to expect, and when to come for the species you most want to find.
The short version — best time to see each species
February–March: Peak season for gray whales. We also often see several dolphin species and the occasional humpback that didn’t migrate.
Mid-April to mid-May: The highest chances of spotting killer whales (orcas), as transient pods gather to hunt migrating gray whales.
May–December: Prime season for humpback whales. August through September is peak feeding season, and we’ve seen dramatic lunge-feeding well into November.
November–December: Humpbacks are still around feeding as much as they can before they head south, Good Chances of Orcas(Our opinion they are hunting elephant seals as they return to their rookeries above and below Monterey bay, and the weather and time of year gives us opportunities for watching whales at sunset.
No matter the season, every trip is different.
Season by season
Winter (December to mid-March)
Winter is the best time to see migrating gray whales in Monterey Bay as they shortcut across the bay on their way up and down the coast. We also see a variety of dolphins on the search. Some winters, (one or two)humpbacks stick around the whole season, and less common visitors — killer whales, blue whales, fin whales — can make an appearance too.
Spring (mid-March to mid-May) windy but worth it
Spring is killer whale season. Transient (Bigg’s) orcas gather in the bay to hunt migrating gray whales, with mid-April to mid-May usually the peak window to witness a hunt. Humpbacks start returning to feed, and it’s a great time for dolphins, the chance of blue or fin whales, and birding — black-footed albatross are common, with shearwaters, auks, and more around.
Summer (mid-May to October) Cant go wrong
Summer is feeding season. Humpbacks have settled in for the year and feed on fish and krill all season. It’s also a good time to try your luck on a blue whale, plus fin whales, dolphins, sharks, turtles, and seabirds.
Fall (October to December) Sunset trips
This is my favorite time of year for whale watching in Monterey Bay. There are still plenty of whales and dolphins around, and the light can be incredible for photography. Humpbacks are still the mainstay, with orcas showing up more often than in summer.
See it eye-level, with six guests max
Whatever you’re hoping to see, we keep it to six passengers so everyone gets an unobstructed, eye-level view — and because we leave from Moss Landing, you spend more time with the animals and less time getting there. If you’re after a specific species, a private charter lets us build the whole trip around it.