Whale Watching

Description

Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

For some of the best whale watching opportunities in the world, look no further than the waters off your port city of Santa Barbara. Nestled on southern-facing coast and sheltered behind the Channel Islands, it is an ideal corridor for whale migration. In fact, over 27 different types of whales and dolphins inhabit the Santa Barbara Channel at various times of the year!

And you have the opportunity to witness the beauty of these magnificent sea creatures firsthand during this full-day, guided whale-watching expedition. Simply step off your pier and step aboard a state-of-the-art, high speed catamaran!

Friendly crew will see to it that you are safely and comfortably situated before setting off across the sparkling waters of the Pacific for a smooth, stable cruise at speeds other boats cannot match!

Choose to do your "watching" from within the luxurious, teak-paneled cabin equipped with booth seating and large tinted windows perfect for optimal wildlife viewing. Or take your place on a viewing platform on the bow or top deck, basking in the sun and enjoying the brisk sea breeze as you scan the waters for telltale whale "spouts".

Cruise along the breathtaking Channel Islands, a small archipelago of five islands nicknamed "the Galapagos of North America" for its stunning array of wildlife. Once home to the Chumash Indians (some of the first people to inhabit North America), today they are a protected land under the direction of the National Park Service.

It is no wonder then that these islands teem with wildlife. Marvel at the thousands of birds (including cormorants, gulls and the endangered California brown pelican) that nest among the craggy rock formations here.

The rocky shores are also resting and breeding areas for California sea lions and harbor seals. Keep a keen eye out for these playful creatures as they swim among the waves. And look for dolphins that are known to frolic alongside sea vessels, serving as guides through these beautiful coastal waters.

Time or weather-permitting, you will visit the Painted Cave, one of the largest and deepest sea caves in the world located on one of the islands. Named for its colorful rock types, lichens, and algaes, this awe-inspiring cave is nearly a quarter-mile long and 100 feet wide, with an entrance ceiling of 160 feet complete with a cascading waterfall in the spring!

And of course, nothing can describe the thrill you will feel should you spot a magnificent whale spouting and breaching - sending glistening droplets of water spraying into the air to capture the sunlight before returning to the ocean. Winter and spring offers views of Gray whales that pass during their annual migration. Humpback and Blue whales enter the channel to feed from May until fall. Whatever species you encounter, you will surely come away richer for the experience of coming face to face with this magnificent mammal that has inspired songs, literature and sea lore throughout time.

Special Notes:

Wildlife sightings are not guaranteed. Gray whales pass along the coast during their annual migration in winter and spring. Humpback and Blue whales enter the channel to feed from May until Fall.

The Condor Express has a full service galley serving breakfast and lunch, as well as snacks, water, nonalcoholic beverages and a full service bar for purchase.

Child Price:

12 years & under only