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Humpback Whales Long Beach |
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 Southern California Humpback Whale DescriptionHumpback whales are baleen whales. Its scientific name is Megaptera novaeangliae. Humpbacks are enormous and can weigh as much as 80,000 and mature to 40 to 50 feet long. They have characteristically bumpy heads and elongated dorsal fins. Humpback whales can often be seen coming to ocean’s surface. They are also known to be very fit as well as very good singers. Presumed to be a mating ritual, male Humpbacks will sing for 10 to 20 minutes and go on for hours repeating the same song.
Southern California Humpback Whale Population
The Humpback whale population was decimated by “whaling”, or whale hunting before it was outlawed in 1966. Estimations support that before international sanctions against whaling were enacted, whale hunters destroyed almost 90 % of the Humpback whale population. Today there are about 80,000 Humpbacks in existence. However, threats still loom. While most whales are no longer hunted, they do face death and severe injury daily from collision with ships, entanglement with commercial fishing nets and even noise pollution.
Southern California Humpback Whale Feeding Habits
The feeding habits of Humpback whales are quite extraordinary. They eat only during the summer season and can survive off their stored fat reserves until winter. Similar to Blue Whales, Humpback Whales also feast on krill and other schools of small fish. When hunting for food, Humpbacks will methodically stun their prey by slapping them with their flukes or pectoral fins. Like other whales, mother Humpbacks will solely nurse their young until the age of 6 months and thereafter the young will alternate between the mother’s fatty, pinkish milk and other foods.
Southern California Humpback Whale Migratory Patterns
The best time to see Humpback Whales is Whale Watching in Long Beach during June through October. At the end of this season, they are hardly sighted because they have migrated elsewhere. In fact, Humpback whales are seasoned travelers and can swim up 15,000 miles per year in search of food and warmer climates. It is common for Humpbacks to travel with a companion or very small groups. But these partnerships are short-lived, very rarely lasting more than two months at a time.
Long Beach Whale Watching Tours
The Humpback Whale is one of the most spectacular of the whales to view because of the real possibility of a significant breach. Instead of hunting these majestic creatures, people have become more interested in viewing them. Create your own adventure by going Humpback Whale Watching in Long Beach, and give Harbor Breeze Cruises a call at 562-432-4900 and to find out more information or to reserve a spot on one of our humpback whale watching tours.
Long Beach Whale Watching conducts whale and dolphin watching cruises daily, with tours at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. The tours do fill up quickly so it is a very good idea to arrive a little early. Tours usually last from two to two and a half hours. Ticket prices are as follows:
Individual Ticket Prices – Two Hour to 2 ½ Hour Cruise
Adults $30
Seniors (62 and over) $25
Children (11 and under) $18
Children (2 and under) FREE!
Ticket Prices for groups of 25 or more.
Adults $22
Seniors (62 and over) $18
Children (11 and under) $12
Children (2 and under) FREE!
You can order your tickets online by clicking the button, or calling 562-432-4900. If you have a discount coupon, please present it at the ticket booth.
We look forward to seeing you and continuing to make Long Beach Whale Watching your choice for whale watching in southern California. We offer convenient parking and are located near many area attractions such as The Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach Lighthouse and Queen Mary. We are within walking distance to many local restaurants and shopping areas so you can make a day of it. Whale watching is a wonderful experience regardless of age. We can’t wait to provide the Best Whale Watching in Long Beach experience possible.
For more information about other California Whales or other sea life in California, please click on one of the links below:
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