Spotting whales on the water from a boat is the best way to get up close and learn about different types of whales. San Diego is the perfect place to book a La Jolla whale watching tour, as there is great weather all year around, and the surrounding waters attract many whale types throughout the year. Once you decide that San Diego is your whale watching destination, the next step is to decide which tour to purchase. When choosing, keep in mind various factors.
What is Your Budget?
The price of a tour varies based on different things, such as the time of year, weekdays vs weekends, the age of the guest, type of boat, and whether food and drink are served. The price also depends on whether it is a private tour or not. Once you know how much you want to spend, you can start to shop around. Even with the same boat company, the tour prices can vary quite a bit.
What Accommodations are You Looking For?
There are various ways you can get out on the water and go whale watching. Some tours use a bigger boat that has some indoor seating, while others use a smaller and faster vessel. Consider the variety of options, such as a yacht hire to make the most out of your experience. If you’re in Sydney – you can check out some options here. Open air yachts are also popular, as they often allow for better viewing. Do you want more comfortable seats, or are you ok with any type of seating?
You should also see what the tour offers in terms of refreshments and if you can bring your own. Some tours offer nonalcoholic beverages, while others also include alcoholic ones. If you are allowed to bring your own food and drinks, make sure you have cans or plastic cups to drink out of. Some tours even allow dogs!
Are You Also Celebrating Something Special?
Combining whale watching with a special occasion is a fun and unique way to celebrate. When you check out Next Level Sailing reviews, you can see that you can book a private charter for all types of occasions, such as:
- Rehearsal dinners
- Birthdays
- Corporate events
- Weddings
- Family reunions
- Bridal showers
Not only do you get to see sea creatures, but you can enjoy food and beverages with friends or family on the open waters.
What Types of Whales do You Want to See?
When whale watching San Diego, you may choose the tour based on certain whales you want to see. This often determines what part of the year to book a tour. For example, gray whales migrate from northern, colder waters starting in December, and they begin to move back in March and April. You have a good chance of seeing blue whales between May and September. The spring is also a good time to see fin whales and humpback whales. Depending on the time of year, you may also see killer whales, minke whales, North Pacific right whales, and short-finned pilot whales.
Whales are not the only wildlife you will encounter on the journey. There is a good chance you will see a variety of dolphins, sea lions, pelicans, turtles, and seals.