Whale watching in the Santa Barbara Channel
Friday April 11, 2008.
A post-meeting field trip is being planned to include a day of whalewatching organized with the Condor Express (http://www.condorcruises.com/).
Description from the Condor Express website: This will include a 2.5 hour trip with a scenic cruise along the Santa Barbara shoreline. During these trips it is not uncommon to spot pods of Bottlenose or Common dolphins, Sea Lions, Harbor Seals, or an occasional CA Sea Otter rafting in local kelp beds. After successful courting and mating in the warm water lagoons off Baja, the Gray Whales begin their return trip back north. Although they follow the same general route they took when traveling south, a large number of adults and almost all of the new mothers with their calves choose to swim in close to shore, where the coastal water is warmer, shallower, and has kelp beds which provide protection from predators. During these months the CONDOR EXPRESS offers whale watchers an up close and personal view of these amazing animals as they cruise by the Santa Barbara coast. The cost will be ~$40/person, children under 4 are free. Group rates are available but will require a deposit, so please contact us ASAP if you can confirm your participation. If enough people can confirm, we can ensure space on the boat as well as a lower rate!
More information:
Spring whale watching along the coast aboard the Condor Express
California Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus)
