2 to 3 hours (approx.)
Daily Tour
15 people
English
Cruise off the coast of Orange County in search of whales on this excursion from Newport Beach. Watch the rugged, beautiful scenery of the Pacific Coast glide by as you listen to interesting commentary from your crew about the native California marine life. Watch for blows and tail slaps; these signal that humpback, minke, grey, finback or giant blue whales are near. Dolphins and other marine life are also in abundance during this family-friendly, year-round whale watching tour.
Make your way to Newport Harbor for the departure of your whale watching cruise down the coast of Orange County.
Board the 65-foot (20-meter) boat and meet your experienced captain and crew, all of whom have extensive backgrounds in marine biology. As the boat leaves the harbor, learn about the different types of marine life that frequent the area and what to look for.
This year-round tour allows the opportunity to see different animals during different seasons. During the winter and spring months, watch for minke whales; one of the world's smallest, they only grow to about 23 feet (7 meters). Winter also brings the humpback whale, which can grow to an impressive 52 feet (16 meters). Both of these whales eat krill and are known to slap their tails on the surface of the water, or 'fluke'.
Blue whales, the largest mammals in existence today, usually grow to approximately 200 tons (180 metric tons) and 98 feet (30 meters) in length. Watch for these giants during the summer and fall months, in addition to grey whales and finback whales (the second-largest type of whale).
There are also possibilities to see dolphins, sea lions, and seals on your trip. Feel free to ask any questions of your knowledgeable captain and crew regarding any of the animal life you encounter.
After your time on the Pacific, return to Newport Harbor.