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Whale Watching San Francisco: What to Expect on Your Adventure on the Waters of the Pacific Ocean
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: May 30, 2025 • Published: October 11, 2013
San Francisco is a great place to go whale watching. Just a few miles off shore are cool waters that offer the perfect feeding ground for several varieties of whales, including grays, blues, and humpbacks.
Different whales migrate through this area at different times of the year. Many stop here for a while on their way up north for even richer feeding areas.
On your whale watching journey, you also get the chance to see schools of dolphins, leatherback turtles, and sea lions. Almost a hundred bird species and more than 300 types of fish call this area home, too.
Jill's Quick Tips for Whale Watching in SF
1. Be aware of the season. The timing of your visit can influence which marine species you may or may not see, as well as the weather for your day at sea (read about our San Francisco weather).
2. Dress in layers, especially waterproof ones. You'll be on the boat for at least a couple of hours, so come prepared to stay dry, warm, and comfortable.
3. Be prepared for motion sickness. The Pacific Waters outside the Golden Gate can get choppy.
4. Hang on to your binoculars and/or camera. Of course you'll want to capture the exciting moments of whale sightings! Just make sure you're using a strap to avoid unfortunate accidents.
5. Be aware of what else you might see. Make the most of your trip by looking out for other marine wildlife between whale sightings. The naturalist on your tour will help you identify and learn about them.
So, grab your camera and head out on the water for an unforgettable whale watching adventure!
Whale Watching San Francisco by Season
The great thing about whale watching in San Francisco is you have the chance to admire the marine wildlife throughout most of the year (April through December).
My favorite time to go is during the warmest time of the year, from September to October. During this time, the sun is shining and the water is calm.
These are the species you can roughly expect to see each season:
- Humpbacks: May to November
- Gray Whales: December to May
- Blue Whales: July to October
Year-Round
- Dolphins: Bottlenose, Northern right whale, Pacific white-sided, Risso's, common
- Porpoises: Dall's, harbor
- Other Animals: Sea otters, California sea lions, harbor seals
Which Months are Not Good for Whale Watching in San Francisco?
Currently, there are no whale watching tours offered in San Francisco between the months of January to March.
(If you are set on seeing whales on a trip during those months, you do have one option—a gray whale tour that leaves from the nearby town of Half Moon Bay.)
Otherwise, April to November offers plenty of tours and chances to see whales.
That said, whale sightings are more rare from mid-November to mid-December, which is the tail-end of the season for humpback and blue whales, and just the start of the migrating season for gray, killer, and sperm whales.
If you are visiting during this time, you can still go out and explore. The ride itself is worth it and you will most likely see other sea creatures.
TIP: Many tours offer a second day out if you do not see whales during your ride. Therefore, I recommend you don't book your whale watching tour for your last day in San Francisco, in case you don't see any whales and want another chance to go.
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Two Whale Watching Tour Companies in SF
San Francisco Whale Tours Details
The most popular whale watching San Francisco tours are hosted by the San Francisco Whale Tours company, which conveniently runs out of Pier 39 in the heart of the tourist action.
From there, you will sail along SF's northern waterfront, under the Golden Gate Bridge, and out to the Pacific Ocean.
Each tour includes a professional guide and live commentary onboard.
Golden Gate Whale Watch
The main tour runs from April to October. This is the busy travel season in San Francisco when many people are out on the water.
During this time of year, you can expect to see humpbacks and blues. In April and May, you might even catch a glimpse of a gray, sperm, or killer whale (orca).
This tour lasts for about 2.5 hours and runs several times a day: 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm, and 6 pm. There is no food on board, but you are welcome to bring some along. Beer and wine are welcome on board (no hard alcohol allowed).
Golden Gate Whale Watch and Beyond
This tour runs later in the season, from November to December.
It's a bit longer (3 to 4 hours) because you may have to venture farther from SF to search for whales, as sightings are less common at this time of year.
Additional highlights include the Golden Gate Bridge and gorgeous shorelines, such as Angel Island, Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas, and the Point Reyes National Seashore and Lighthouse.
Oceanic Society
This is a lesser-known whale watching San Francisco tour company, but one that is equally praised by customers for their knowledgable staff and amazing experiences at sea.
What makes the Oceanic Society stand out is that it's a non-profit that uses its proceeds for marine research and conservation programs.
Farallon Islands Tour
The 7.5-hour tour offered by the Oceanic Society is longer than the SF Whale Tours mentioned above.
It's a full day out on the water from 8:30 am to 4 pm, so come prepared with snacks, waterproof clothes, and comfortable shoes.
Your crew and naturalist guides will take you under the Golden Gate Bridge and out to the Farallon Islands, one of the most biodiverse marine environments in the world.
This tour runs only on weekends, and leaves not from Fisherman's Wharf but rather from the SF Marina Yacht Harbor.
Half Moon Bay Gray Whale Tour
The great thing about the Oceanic Society is that they offer a tour option in the off months, which gives you the chance to see the migrating gray whales.
However, you will need to travel about 50 minutes south to the wonderful seaside town of Half Moon Bay, home of the famous Mavericks surfing competition.
This tour is offered every Saturday and Sunday in the months of January through March. It departs from Half Moon Bay at 2 pm and returns at 5 pm.
Tips for Your Journey
1. Take Seasickness Pills: If you are like me and get seasick, then make sure you prepare for this adventure ahead of time. There is little room to lie down on the boat, so it can be miserable if you aren't feeling well. The boat can get especially rocky at the Farallon Islands. My new favorite seasickness medication is Bonine. It works well without the drowsy feeling. However, it isn't as widely distributed, so if you have problems finding it, then head to Amazon and pick it up before your trip.
2. Protect Yourself from the Sun: Even if it's cold and foggy when you leave, the clouds can burn off quickly on the waters outside San Francisco. Make sure you are prepared with sunscreen, sunglasses, and/or a hat.
3. Bring Your Camera: It is safe to bring your camera with you on this journey. I recommend bringing something along that you can use to cover it up, since at times it gets choppy and the ocean water splashes onto the boat. You don't want to ruin your nice camera with salty ocean water.
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes: Whale watching in San Francisco is not the time for high fashion. Wear flat-soled, non-slip shoes for the journey. You will be on your feet most of the time looking for whales, so plan for comfort.
5. Pack Warm Clothing: It may be warm and sunny on the day you leave for your whale watching adventure, but make sure you bring along warm clothes. The minute the boat leaves the dock you will start to feel the cool ocean breeze on your skin. I always wear long pants and bring along an extra jacket to stay warm.
6. Bring Snacks: There isn't really much food on the boat, so bring along your own snacks. I like to pack some simple crackers or peanuts in addition to water. For the all-day journeys, you might want to take along something a little heartier.
7. Use Binoculars: Be one of the first people on the boat to spot the whales with your binoculars. Again, I recommend bringing something to cover them up so you don't have to fight off the ocean water marks once you return to shore.
Seeing Whales from the Shoreline in SF
One question I'm often asked is if you can see whales from the shore in San Francisco.
It is very rare for people to see whales from the coast in San Francisco. Most of the local and migrating whales are at least 3 miles out from Ocean Beach, which is on the western side (the Pacific coast) of San Francisco.
If you really want to see whales, your best bet is to take one of the tours mentioned above. The naturalists on the boat will have the best ideas on where to find the whales and you will almost always see one during your cruise.
Hi, I'm Jill!
Dreaming of a San Francisco vacation? As a proud local, I'm here to share my insider tips and personal experiences to help you make the most of this iconic city!
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