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Book Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruises on the SoCal Coast

Newport Beach: Year-Round Whale and Dolphin Cruises

From $36.00

Long Beach: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

From $45.00

The waters off Southern California are home to dolphins and sea lions year-round and see migrating gray whales and blue whales through much of the year, which makes a whale and dolphin watching cruise one of the best ways to experience the coast near Los Angeles.

Which Cruise is Best For You?

Whale watching from Long Beach

Head out from Long Beach, the closest of the two departure points to central Los Angeles, in search of whales, dolphins, and sea lions, and pair your cruise with a visit to the nearby Aquarium of the Pacific.

Year-round cruises from Orange County

Set sail from Newport Beach in Orange County on a whale and dolphin watching cruise that runs throughout the year, ideal if you are staying south of LA.

Good to Know Before You Go

Gray whales typically pass the Southern California coast from about December through April, while blue whales are usually seen from about May through November. Dolphins and sea lions can be spotted year-round.

It can be several degrees cooler on the water than on land, so bring layers, along with sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for the glare off the water.

These are wild animals in the open ocean, so the species you see will vary from trip to trip and sightings can't be guaranteed.

FAQs

Which cruises can I book on this page?

You can book a whale and dolphin watching cruise from Long Beach and a year-round whale and dolphin watching cruise from Newport Beach in Orange County.

When is the best time to go whale watching near Los Angeles?

It depends on what you want to see. Gray whales migrate along the coast from about December through April, and blue whales are usually seen from about May through November. Dolphins and sea lions are present year-round, so there is something to look for in every season.

Am I guaranteed to see whales?

No. Whales and dolphins are wild animals, so sightings vary from trip to trip and can't be guaranteed. Dolphins and sea lions are commonly seen year-round, and the chance of seeing larger whales depends on the season.

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