Departures at 9 AM & 1 PM from Porto Bodega
Only $45 per person for ½ day
Coast Guard-certified vessel
Charters available for group
For reservations & information, call 707/875-2323

The Cast of Characters:

GRAY WHALE--
Known to scientists as Eschrichtius robustus, an average adult gray whale is equal in size and weight to ten good-size elephants! About 45 feet long and 35 tons, a gray whale has eyes the size of baseballs and baleen-- a comb-like curtain of keratin-- instead of teeth. Twin nostrils called blowholes expel moist air in a bushy, heart-shaped 100-gallon spout (one of the easiest ways to spot this massive marine mammal).

Once hunted nearly to extinction, gray whales now number around 21,000. Early each winter, these barnacle-encrusted cetaceans cruise the shoreline of Sonoma County as they migrate south from their feeding grounds in the icy waters off Alaska. (Some local folks spend each New Year's Day watching whales-- it's a tradition!) The grays are headed for the warm waters of four lagoons on the Pacific Coast of Baja California. Along the way, some of the bulls and cows mate, but those babies won't be born for thirteen months. Many of the adult females can't be bothered with courtship: they're hurrying south to give birth to their calves. (Imagine swimming 5,000 miles carrying a 15-foot long, 2,000-pound baby inside!)

Gray whale's milk is almost 50% fat, which makes it 15 times richer than cow's milk. Young calves consume 50 gallons a day, so they grow fast-- by March, they're ready to swim north with their mothers, following in the wake of the adult males and "teenagers." Spring whale watchers are often treated to a parade of "big blows" and "little blows" as the moms and babies travel past Bodega Bay.

DOLPHINS and PORPOISES--
Pacific white-sided dolphins are often referred to as "lags" because of their scientific name Lagenorhynchus obliquidens-- but these sleek swimmers are far from lazy. Outgoing black-and-white dolphins sometimes congregate by the hundreds, and it's a thrill to see them leaping alongside the boat.

Dall's porpoises typically travel in groups of ten to twenty, sending up "roostertails" of spray when they surface to ride the bow or stern waves of the boat. Though black with a white patch on the belly, a triangular dorsal fin helps differentiate the stocky Dall's porpoise from its more stream-lined dolphin relatives, who sport hooked dorsal fins.

SEALS AND SEA LIONS-
If they bark, don't call them seals! California sea lions are the dark, vocal critters often observed high atop Bodega Rock. Less agile on land and smaller, the spotted harbor seals linger closer to the water. But both these "fin-footed" mammals excel when it comes to swimming.

ORCA-
The whale called "killer" is Orcinus orca, among the top predators of the sea, but don't worry: they don't eat people. If you are lucky enough to see one of these shiny black-and-white mammals in the wild, you'll never want to see one perform in a tiny aquarium again.

HUMPBACK and BLUE WHALES--
The most acrobatic of the great whales, humpbacks are "lunge feeders," with long, wing-like flippers. Sometimes they launch their 50-foot bodies clear out of the water. Sightings of humpbacks usually begin in late spring, with blue whales most often showing up by summer and lingering until October. Blues average 70-80 feet in length and have been known to weigh up to 160 tons! These guys are BIG!

Plus BIRDS, BIRDS, BIRDS!

Enjoying your adventure on the Pacific:

We recommend that you make reservations for your whale watching excursion, but welcome same-day passengers whenever there's room. Please arrive at our shop, located at 1580 Eastshore Road just off Highway One, at least 1/2 hour before your 9 AM or 1 PM departure.

Layered clothing and shoes or boots with good traction are a must. (No high heels or platform shoes.) Gloves and hats can provide protection from wind. And it never hurts to pack your raingear, sunglasses and sunscreen-- marine weather can surprise you!

Don't forget your camera. Marine mammals can offer great photo opportunities. Binoculars add detail to your sightings. We sell one-use cameras and inexpensive binoculars at our shop.

Feel free to bring snacks and beverages aboard.