The Bay Area has two whale watching seasons, each with different whales and different weather. Gray whales migrate south from December through February and head back north from March through May. They pass close to shore along the Marin Headlands, Point Reyes and the San Mateo coast. Humpback whales feed just outside the Golden Gate from spring through November, drawn by krill and anchovies that thrive in the cold, upwelled water. The weather you meet depends on which season you choose, and knowing what to expect can turn a cold, foggy, queasy outing into a great one.
What Is the Weather Like During Gray Whale Season?
Gray whale season runs from December through May, with the southbound migration peaking in January and the northbound one in March and April. Winter whale watching means cool temperatures in the 50s, a chance of rain and swells of 4 to 8 feet on typical days. The best shore spots, such as Point Reyes Lighthouse and the Marin Headlands, are exposed to winds that can top 20 mph. Dress in warm, windproof layers, and bring binoculars for spotting distant spouts.
Gray whales are easiest to spot on calm, clear days, which come most often in dry spells between winter storms. After one storm passes and before the next arrives, the swell often drops to 2 to 4 feet and visibility is excellent. These windows usually last two to five days and are the best time to watch from a boat or from shore. Before booking a boat trip, look for at least two dry days in a row in the forecast.
What Is the Weather Like During Humpback Season?
Humpback whales feed in the waters off San Francisco from about April or May through November, with the most activity from August through October. That overlaps the Bay Area's dry season, so rain is rarely a concern. Summer marine layer fog is the bigger problem, because morning boat trips in June and July often head out into thick fog with very poor visibility. The fog usually lifts by late morning or early afternoon, but afternoon wind makes the water rougher, so late-morning departures are often the best compromise.
September and October are the best months for humpback watching. The warm fall pattern brings less fog, milder coastal temperatures in the 60s and calmer seas than summer. Swells are often 2 to 4 feet, mornings are usually calm and visibility is often excellent. October in particular combines heavy humpback feeding with some of the year's best weather for being on the water outside the Golden Gate.
What Are the Best Weather Conditions for Whale Watching?
Ideal whale watching weather means wind under 15 mph, swells under 5 feet, visibility of more than 5 miles and no rain. Seasickness is the biggest weather-related problem on boat trips, and it gets worse as the swell grows and the wind chops up the surface. A glassy 2-foot swell is comfortable for almost everyone. A 6-foot swell with 15 mph wind will leave many passengers queasy, so take seasickness medicine beforehand if you are prone to it.
For watching from shore at Point Reyes or the Marin Headlands, wind is the main problem. Point Reyes is one of the windiest spots on the Pacific coast, and winds of 20 to 30 mph make it hard to hold binoculars steady. They also turn a pleasant coastal walk into an endurance test. The calmest days for shore viewing come under high pressure between storms. Winds then drop below 10 mph, and the sea is smooth enough to spot spouts a mile away.
How Does Location Affect Whale Watching Weather?
Boats out of Half Moon Bay leave from Pillar Point Harbor, which a breakwater shelters. Trips there often start calmer than those from San Francisco or Bodega Bay. The Farallon Islands, about 27 miles west of the Golden Gate, offer some of the best whale watching in the region but also the roughest conditions. Those trips cross open ocean with big swells and frequent afternoon wind, so save them for calm days and strong stomachs.
The Bay Area's whale seasons are long enough that patience pays off. If winter storms make January rough, the northbound gray whale migration continues into spring. If summer fog spoils a June humpback trip, September and October bring clearer skies and better viewing. The key is to fit your trip to a good weather window rather than forcing an outing into bad conditions. A trip on a calm day is one of the best nature experiences in the Bay Area. One in 8-foot swells and fog is miserable no matter how many whales are out. Humpbacks lingering along the coast in late fall are also why the commercial crab season keeps opening late, as our guide to why crab season gets delayed explains.
