WHALE WATCHING on the Sunset Kidd
occurs February 15th - May 15th
Please join us next season...
Whale Watching Season
Sail along with California Gray Whales as they pass the beautiful Santa Barbara Coastline.
It's an old friendship, a Sailboat and a Whale!
It's an old friendship, a Sailboat and a Whale!
Enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the wind in the sails... while following alongside the Giant California Gray Whales. Sailing aboard the Sunset Kidd is the most harmonious way to be accepted into the whales natural swimming patterns. Unlike a power boat's rumbling engine frightening the whales to take adverse action, from our quiet sailing vessel, we frequently hear the whales break the surface and breathe for air. Sail the beautiful Santa Barbara Coast known for her majestic mountains and sandstone sea cliffs, where the most exquisite estates view the pacific. We visit with sea lions and seals, frequently a few dolphins join us and sometimes it can be hundreds! Plus other whales live her too; humpbacks are very playful and they visit every year or see minke, pilot, and fin whales. Don't forget the largest of all... blue whales and even killer whales!
You can choose to assist us in sailing or sit back and relax. Either way, we will be happy to share our years of experience of knowing the favorite waters that the gray whales use to transit the Santa Barbara Coastline. And an important thought.. now that you have left the traffic and crowds behind, can you imagine getting on a boat with 42 or even a hundred other crammed people! On our sailing yacht, there will never be more than 16 passengers.
You can choose to assist us in sailing or sit back and relax. Either way, we will be happy to share our years of experience of knowing the favorite waters that the gray whales use to transit the Santa Barbara Coastline. And an important thought.. now that you have left the traffic and crowds behind, can you imagine getting on a boat with 42 or even a hundred other crammed people! On our sailing yacht, there will never be more than 16 passengers.
Public Whale Watching Trips
Morning Whale Watch- Departs at 10 am / up to 2.5 hours
Ages 3 and under FREE, Ages 4-10 yrs $30 Adults $65
Afternoon Whale Watch- Departs at 2 pm / up to 2.5 hours $65 per person
* requires a minimum of FOUR Adult fares or passengers for trip departure.
Morning Whale Watch- Departs at 10 am / up to 2.5 hours
Ages 3 and under FREE, Ages 4-10 yrs $30 Adults $65
Afternoon Whale Watch- Departs at 2 pm / up to 2.5 hours $65 per person
* requires a minimum of FOUR Adult fares or passengers for trip departure.
Whale Watching Season is February 15th - May 15th
If you come out with us during the season, expect a 90% sighting ratio
We offer several cruises throughout the year
If you come out with us during the season, expect a 90% sighting ratio
We offer several cruises throughout the year
Why is there a Gray 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?
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, sea lions, 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
Can we find Whales in the Summer? Fall?
All through the year, there are Whales in the Santa Barbara Channel, yet our frequency of sightings are so reduced that we would be amiss to tell you that we are going Whale Watching! Yes some months will offer more frequent visits... but to better reflect the nature of your cruise... we call it a two hour sail to explore the Santa Barbara Coast. Where you will see sea lions and seals with frequent visits with dolphins and the occasional whale. So if it's whale watching season... EXPECT TO SEE WHALES! (Feb- May) OUT OF SEASON... don't be surprised if a whale shows... but the sightings are random!
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?
- 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.
- 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.
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, sea lions, 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
- 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.
Can we find Whales in the Summer? Fall?
All through the year, there are Whales in the Santa Barbara Channel, yet our frequency of sightings are so reduced that we would be amiss to tell you that we are going Whale Watching! Yes some months will offer more frequent visits... but to better reflect the nature of your cruise... we call it a two hour sail to explore the Santa Barbara Coast. Where you will see sea lions and seals with frequent visits with dolphins and the occasional whale. So if it's whale watching season... EXPECT TO SEE WHALES! (Feb- May) OUT OF SEASON... don't be surprised if a whale shows... but the sightings are random!