Every year the whales make their journey between Alaska and Baja California. Along their migration route, they pass by Southern California and thrill onlookers with their magnificent breaches and water spouts.

Several species of whales pass by our shores, but the two most common are the giant blue whales and their relatives, the gray whales.

The best way to admire these whales and their cousins, the dolphins, is to take a boat cruise from one of the port towns along the coast.

You can watch the gray whales during winter and early spring, or you can watch the blue whales and some humpbacks during summer. You can always find lots of dolphins.

Tip: Whether you are going in winter or summer, dress warmly or bring a jacket with you. The temperature seems to drop the further you go into the ocean.

There are many tour operators along the coast. It is hard to decide whom to go with, but after some research, we decided to go with Newport Landing (Davey's Locker). This tour operator departs from Newport Beach, right next to the Fun Zone. They have more than 20 years of experience and can easily locate whales and dolphins.

Along with whale-watching cruises, Newport Landing offers other services like sunset cruises, evening cruises, and deep-sea fishing trips. See Whale Watching Orange County for a full list of services.

Interesting Fact: The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever existed, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet and weighing as much as 200 tons.

We went on the Ocean Explorer and loved the boat and crew. The boat is medium-sized with two levels, so it is not overcrowded. The upper deck has a larger open area with a canopy. The lower deck has an enclosed observation area, a minibar, and a snack bar. We decided to head to the upper deck to enjoy the views.

The cruise starts on the calm waters of Newport Bay, where it dodges sailboats, speedboats, and jet skis and passes by beautiful houses and busy beaches.

At the tip of the bay and behind the south barrier, you can spot Big Corona Beach – one of the popular destinations in the area. Also, right at the bay's entrance, you can see a large population of sea lions living on a navigation buoy.

The cruise continues into the ocean, paralleling the coast and passing by Newport Coast, Crystal Cove, Laguna Beach, and Dana Point. When the captain, crew, or passengers spot a whale or a pod of dolphins, the captain slows down the boat or comes to a complete stop.

Tip: The waves in the ocean tend to be choppy, so if you are prone to motion sickness, take some precautions before you start.

On our trip, we only saw one minke whale, which is smaller than the gray whale, but we saw a lot of dolphins. We watched a large pod of common dolphins feed and compete for food with diving birds. We also watched dolphins chase the boat, go under it, and pass it – as if they were playing a game with us. We saw dolphins jump out of the water and heard some squeaking.

Tip: Booking your whale-watching tour in advance is recommended, especially during peak seasons, to secure your spot and get the best rates.

Although we did not see any great whales on this trip, we still enjoyed our time out on the sea. We saw playful dolphins, flocks of flying and diving birds, and a colony of sea lions.

After the cruise, it was time for lunch. We decided to try the Harborside restaurant, which is located in the same building, because it had a high Zagat rating. It overlooks Newport Bay with an excellent view. The food and service were good, but the prices were a little on the high side.

If you prefer not to take a boat trip, you can watch migrating whales from the shore. There are several popular spots for viewing the whales. Here are a few: Dana Point, Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego, Point Dume, Big Sur, and Morro Bay. At Cabrillo National Monument, you can view from the glass-enclosed observatory.

Davey's Locker - Newport Beach

309 Palm St. #A
Newport Beach, CA 92661
(949) 675-0551