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and hours
 Migration
Chart
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Black dots: Sightings
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White dots: Possible Sightings |
Feb 15th, All of March, All of April, till
May15th: Grey Whale Season –
Why is there a Grey Whale migration? First: Large numbers of Krill and other food sources live in abundance
in the upwelling currents of the Gulf of Alaska. Alaska offers one of the few locations with enough food abundance
to support our planets largest animals. Second: Warm-blooded mammals require a temperate environment
to mate; frigid waters would freeze any newborn whale (and it’s very un-romantic in frigid Alaska!)
So to give birth to a newborn, carried in a mammals womb
(just like Humans), the warm waters of Mexico assures temperature adjustments more closely associated with the
mother whales body temperature.
So this is the deal… spend the winters in Mexico (vacation
of romance) and return to Alaska every summer to keep the weight up.
Every year, Santa Barbara gets treated to all Twenty-Six
Thousand (reported) whales, as they swim the entire length of California (twice). But here is the real scoop…
only on the northern migration do the Whales stay particularly close to the shore… and why is this?
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Geographical shape of California: Do you
know that Santa Barbara is West of Los Angeles? Most people think of it as being north! The Santa Barbara Coastline
actually runs east to West with a South-facing beach. This requires all the Whales traveling north to take
a detour thru the Santa Barbara Channel. In essence, we catch all the whales as they travel back to Alaska.
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Protection of the newborn calves (whales)
A mother whale in protection of her newborn, perceives her greatest danger is from other sea creatures ( sharks
– killer whales ). Like all new borns of every species, the baby is verbal and demanding of the mother.
These noises travel like a mega-phone thru the water… but if she keeps the baby along the shoreline,
the beaches, rocks and crashing waves will muffle the sounds. As professional whale watchers, we have come
to experience and learn that the Mother Whales will always keep their young on the coast side of their body.
So to respect their protective nature, we strive to keep our vessel seaward of the Mother whale.
Jul-Aug-Sep: Blue and Humpback Whales -
Blue and Humpback visit Santa Barbara channel to feed on krill. Record numbers of sightings have been seen in
recent years.
Santa
Barbara for Whale Watching
Why whale watching in Santa Barbara as opposed to any
other California location? Our east west coastline, fringed with spectacular looming coastal mountains, protects
the coastline from the Pacific Storms. So what is best for your comfort… rough seas or the calm waters
of the Santa Barbara coast?
Santa Barbara is consistent sightings
of whales, sealions, dolphins and seals (over 30 species of cetaceans alone) throughout the year, and one of
the top destinations for whale watching anywhere in the world. In the summer season, Santa Cruz, Santa
Rosa and San Miguel islands are home to feeding blue and humpback whales. In spring, it's the Calfornia gray
whale migration that is seen, moving from south to north from their birthing grounds in Mexico to their feeding
grounds in Alaska.
Some
Whale Watching Tips
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Dress warmly and in layers to be ready
for all conditions! As we sail west with the whales, its usually cool, but as we return to Santa Barbara,
the wind at our backs and the sunlight basking the foredeck, it not unusual to sunbathe and get a tan.
- Bring a camera. Best to have a rapid snapshot setting.
- Read up on which whales you will see!
- Most people do not get seasick on a sailboat… but
if you get car sick, don’t fool yourself.
- Deck shoes are best… but always think about shoes
that have the best non-skid properties, as you do want to move around the sailing yacht. And yes, if you know
how to sail and want to work the boat… please join us, as we love to share the joys of sailing.
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