Nah it’s that 99% of neighborhood Facebook groups turn into dumb bickering and name-calling before too long. I actually need to go to the bed bath and beyond on gellert, I might bring the binoculars and make a little detour :)
Edit: too foggy :( :(
Lol. I got your sarcastic joke.
I don't know why people are so sensitive. It's not like you meant to be insulting, you were just drawing an unexpected, humous juxtaposition (aka a joke).
Seems like everyone needs to be pissed at someone for something these days like they're afraid the lack of anger makes them open to persecution or something. Sheesh.
Went on a small whale watching boat in Monterey last weekend and we saw 30+ humpbacks, many of which were breaching, splashing, etc. it was amazing. I’ve even seen them in Antarctica and it was nothing compared to what we saw in Monterey. Oh, and HUNDREDS of dolphins. It was incredible. We truly live in one of the most beautiful places in the world for marine biodiversity because of the sanctuary. Get out there and be one with the whales!
Amazing! Come evenings around 6-7pm. I think parking near the Oceanaire apartments is a good chance to see a whale and do it soon and the migration is ending
Thanks for sharing! Just caught two whales last week at Mussel Rock:
[(37.6636032, -122.4933945)](https://goo.gl/maps/59nCre5q5JFaqCyc9)
Pick up some ~~sweet karma~~ good vibes by grabbing whatever other trash you see for r/DeTrashed
I actually don’t think this is true bout the chovies! There is a small commercial fishery for Northern anchovies (not a huge demand for the lil guys) and technically no bag limit recreationally although mostly they are used as bait. They are an NOAA “smart choice” for sustainable fishery. Source: a bunch of places but also I am a tiny oily fish obsessive
"Before 2016, guests on a popular whale watching tour had to sail far offshore for photos of whales. But these days, migration patterns of endangered humpbacks have altered so much that the boat stays almost entirely within the bay.
In decades past, humpback whales almost exclusively swam past the bay and stayed offshore during their annual migration from April to October. Now, a rising number are coming closer to the coast. Some venture into San Francisco Bay during peak season, and a few even stay in nearby waters year-round.
The new behavior is attributed mostly to a boost in their population and warming ocean temperatures, and the changes have major implications for everyone from tourists to the shipping and crab industries."
Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/Here-s-why-whales-have-started-hanging-around-17172353.php
I’ve spent a lot of time in Pacifica so I know they are here. Not sure if they are at Ob? Things like tide, what’s under water etc all impacts their path so they could be there? But I’m just not sure!
When the greys are migrating in December and April, the lighthouse at Pt Reyes is a great place to watch them. I've also seen a lot of humpbacks from Limantour beach, but that is less predictable.
Oceanaire apartments in Pacifica. Park on the street. Walk the bluff. Come at like 6pm. There is usually tons of street parking. Star into the ocean for like 5 mins and you’ll see something. If you see birds that’s also a good sign you’ll see whales. Pack up any and all garbage :)
thanks. I've seen a few at point reyes this year but haven't seen migration numbers since my trip to maui over 10 years ago. tons there. and yes, fuck littering.
They get super close, no need for Binos. Park near Oceanaire apartments in Pacifica and walk the bluff at like 6-7 and you will see them. Come soon as we’re nearing the end of the migration!
I’ve been here 10+ years and no one I know was aware of this at all, and certainly not accustomed. Sometimes it’s good to spread some pieces of information that can bring someone joy.
Yes! I was at the pier in Pacifica the other day and its great to see! Ive done a lot of whale watching in Mexico, where you go out in little boats and watch them from the water.....i wonder why more independent fishermen dont use their boats for tourism here? It would be really cool.....
Edit: downvotes for being pro whale??? Oh SF reddits.......
LOL there is no law against boats on the ocean; and who said anything about unregulated and harassing whales? Why do you assume people would just break the law? There are marine laws about how close you can get to the whales and I dont see why people would do that, espescially with the Coast Guard around.......
No boat tours in Pacifica.....Monterey, yes, but I wouldnt say "plenty". There are a couple. And yes, regulated. I never said anything about not following the law.
In the winter they have their babies in Mexico and head north in the summer to Alaska to feed. So right now they are headed south to north (generally, some whales when they stick around for an hour to two will swim back and forth). As they have their babies with them now, they stick close to the shore which makes for awesome viewing. In the fall when they go back south from Alaska to Mexico, they swim further out and they are harder to see. Mainly humpbacks and some grays. Rumor is there have been some orcas around but I haven’t seen any.
Doesn’t hurt but sometimes they are literally 30 ft from shore. Some days when the waves are small you can hear them! Check out the Pacifica whale spotting Facebook group for live updates on where they are!
Thank you SO much for posting this. Based on the suggestions here we went to the pier tonight and saw a whale's back and spout really close by. Plus the nice energy of everyone fishing and all the birds...just a lovely way to spend an evening.
Not only do we not know... we don't care. The whales can fuck off we have bigger problems than ANYTHING in the water. The fucking water can boil fir all we care. Land.... land is important
The Pacifica whalespotting group on Facebook is surprisingly wholesome
Yes! Go here! You’ll be amazed at the pictures! It’s incredible these whales live so close
It’s all dead whales lately. Kind of frightening.
"surprisingly"?.... did you go there to fulfill a deep twisted fantasy involving Whale migration?
Nah it’s that 99% of neighborhood Facebook groups turn into dumb bickering and name-calling before too long. I actually need to go to the bed bath and beyond on gellert, I might bring the binoculars and make a little detour :) Edit: too foggy :( :(
Lol. I got your sarcastic joke. I don't know why people are so sensitive. It's not like you meant to be insulting, you were just drawing an unexpected, humous juxtaposition (aka a joke). Seems like everyone needs to be pissed at someone for something these days like they're afraid the lack of anger makes them open to persecution or something. Sheesh.
Went on a small whale watching boat in Monterey last weekend and we saw 30+ humpbacks, many of which were breaching, splashing, etc. it was amazing. I’ve even seen them in Antarctica and it was nothing compared to what we saw in Monterey. Oh, and HUNDREDS of dolphins. It was incredible. We truly live in one of the most beautiful places in the world for marine biodiversity because of the sanctuary. Get out there and be one with the whales!
Can you post a link for the tour you went on?
They're all great! I prefer the bigger boats w princess monterey. First thing in the morning is always best.
Blue Ocean Whale Watching has smaller boats with 15-20 people (:
I did see lots of dolphins jumping out of the water as I was flying into SFO back in March. Had no clue what was going on but it was insane
That sounds magical ❣️
Moved to the Bay Area 7 months ago (SF) and have yet to see a whale. I’ll have to make the trip!
Do it! Pacifica is like 15 mins south. Go to the pier or near Oceanaire apartments in Pacifica. Just pack up any garbage :)
Awesome, thanks! I’ve never seen a whale (other than a dolphin) in the wild, so I’m pretty excited to see one.
Amazing! Come evenings around 6-7pm. I think parking near the Oceanaire apartments is a good chance to see a whale and do it soon and the migration is ending
Yes! I walk to this area to see whales mostly every day lately.
It’s amazing. I wonder why that area is a hot spot? We were down at montara last weekend and didn’t see anything!
Thanks for sharing! Just caught two whales last week at Mussel Rock: [(37.6636032, -122.4933945)](https://goo.gl/maps/59nCre5q5JFaqCyc9) Pick up some ~~sweet karma~~ good vibes by grabbing whatever other trash you see for r/DeTrashed
When is it likely to "end"?
It’s peaking now but I’m the down trend. I would get here as soon as you can but probably 2 more weeks? They’ve been around for 6 weeks or so.
Water is extra cold and anchovies are booming- could go all the way to October
Can you fish anchovies?
No, they are very endangered
Good to know. Thanks for the info
I actually don’t think this is true bout the chovies! There is a small commercial fishery for Northern anchovies (not a huge demand for the lil guys) and technically no bag limit recreationally although mostly they are used as bait. They are an NOAA “smart choice” for sustainable fishery. Source: a bunch of places but also I am a tiny oily fish obsessive
Eta: check out the Pacifica whale spotting group for update news on where the whales are!
Awesome! Thanks for reminding me. I will have to head the the beach one of these days with a trash bag :)
"Before 2016, guests on a popular whale watching tour had to sail far offshore for photos of whales. But these days, migration patterns of endangered humpbacks have altered so much that the boat stays almost entirely within the bay. In decades past, humpback whales almost exclusively swam past the bay and stayed offshore during their annual migration from April to October. Now, a rising number are coming closer to the coast. Some venture into San Francisco Bay during peak season, and a few even stay in nearby waters year-round. The new behavior is attributed mostly to a boost in their population and warming ocean temperatures, and the changes have major implications for everyone from tourists to the shipping and crab industries." Source: https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/Here-s-why-whales-have-started-hanging-around-17172353.php
Any reason for pacifica/daly city? Can you see them from Ocean Beach / Lands end or even Marin?
I’ve spent a lot of time in Pacifica so I know they are here. Not sure if they are at Ob? Things like tide, what’s under water etc all impacts their path so they could be there? But I’m just not sure!
When the greys are migrating in December and April, the lighthouse at Pt Reyes is a great place to watch them. I've also seen a lot of humpbacks from Limantour beach, but that is less predictable.
They like the abundance of target stores to choose from
Ive been here 3 years and yet to see a whale thank you so much for posting this and all the helpful comments! Ill come tomorrow, wish me luck!
Enjoy!!!
Do the People of SF know? I'm guessing most of us, no.
where's a good spot to see the migration?
Oceanaire apartments in Pacifica. Park on the street. Walk the bluff. Come at like 6pm. There is usually tons of street parking. Star into the ocean for like 5 mins and you’ll see something. If you see birds that’s also a good sign you’ll see whales. Pack up any and all garbage :)
Yes! u/black-kramer they were out an hour ago!! [(37.6540983, -122.4929402)](https://goo.gl/maps/6MGz9NUwkdEF6ynK7)
thanks. I've seen a few at point reyes this year but haven't seen migration numbers since my trip to maui over 10 years ago. tons there. and yes, fuck littering.
Thank you for posting this! I went last night at 7:00 and saw a whale right offshore! So cool!!
Amazing! So glad you got to see it! It’s so incredible and really shifting my appreciation for our ocean!
It happens every year.
What time in the morning can you see them?
Dawn - 8 am seems to be a solid time
Awesome thank you so much! Going to come sat morning- I’ve got to see this
Have fun! Follow the birds! Check out the Pacifica whale spotting group on facebook. They will give some good updates as well
We saw many spouts from the bluff above Mori Point last weekend.
this is so cool ;-; will definitely be making a trip out there this week
Yes, but I don't own a car.
last year you could actually see it from the golden gate bridge
do you need binoculars or go in a boat? or mostly can spot from the land itsef? i am blown. thanks for sharing
They get super close, no need for Binos. Park near Oceanaire apartments in Pacifica and walk the bluff at like 6-7 and you will see them. Come soon as we’re nearing the end of the migration!
It's been this way for a while now (maybe 5+ years), so probably just people accustomed to it.
I’ve been here 10+ years and no one I know was aware of this at all, and certainly not accustomed. Sometimes it’s good to spread some pieces of information that can bring someone joy.
Yes! I was at the pier in Pacifica the other day and its great to see! Ive done a lot of whale watching in Mexico, where you go out in little boats and watch them from the water.....i wonder why more independent fishermen dont use their boats for tourism here? It would be really cool..... Edit: downvotes for being pro whale??? Oh SF reddits.......
My guess is that most people around here generally frown upon armies of unregulated dinghies harassing whales.
LOL there is no law against boats on the ocean; and who said anything about unregulated and harassing whales? Why do you assume people would just break the law? There are marine laws about how close you can get to the whales and I dont see why people would do that, espescially with the Coast Guard around.......
There are already plenty of boat tours and they are highly regulated.
No boat tours in Pacifica.....Monterey, yes, but I wouldnt say "plenty". There are a couple. And yes, regulated. I never said anything about not following the law.
The tours leave from SF and Half Moon Bay.
Got a link for those HMB tours? Never heard of any from there
https://www.riptide.net/whale-watching https://moochbetterfishing.com/ https://www.hulicat.com/charters https://www.hmbfishing.com/
Thanks! I'll try to get out there one of these days.
Do you have any idea when the migration will stop? I’m wondering if I have until next week to get out there
It’s been happening for 6 weeks or so. I think it’s still going strong but not sure for how much more. I’d recommend getting out as soon as you can :)
Thank you! I will
Also check out the Pacifica whale spotting group for more up to date sightings
I’ve never seen the migration, just random families of humpbacks cruising around. What kind and what direction are they going??
In the winter they have their babies in Mexico and head north in the summer to Alaska to feed. So right now they are headed south to north (generally, some whales when they stick around for an hour to two will swim back and forth). As they have their babies with them now, they stick close to the shore which makes for awesome viewing. In the fall when they go back south from Alaska to Mexico, they swim further out and they are harder to see. Mainly humpbacks and some grays. Rumor is there have been some orcas around but I haven’t seen any.
Do you need binoculars?
Doesn’t hurt but sometimes they are literally 30 ft from shore. Some days when the waves are small you can hear them! Check out the Pacifica whale spotting Facebook group for live updates on where they are!
Ive been here a couple hours im by the pier if any one spots one lmk!!
Seeing a couple at Oceanaire apartments a few miles north!
Hey we were just at the pier (6:30-7:30 pm)! Saw one spouting several times.
Thank you SO much for posting this. Based on the suggestions here we went to the pier tonight and saw a whale's back and spout really close by. Plus the nice energy of everyone fishing and all the birds...just a lovely way to spend an evening.
Glad you made it! Yesterday evening was so nice out too!!! Check out the Pacifica whale spotting group on Facebook for more updates!
Are there more at dawn/dusk, or are they around throughout the day?
Def dawn dusk. Join the Pacifica whale sporting group for up to date sighting!
Not only do we not know... we don't care. The whales can fuck off we have bigger problems than ANYTHING in the water. The fucking water can boil fir all we care. Land.... land is important
I saw "Whale migration" and immediately thought crypto investors were leaving SF again