WINTER - WHALE WATCHING ABOARD THE CONDOR EXPRESS

Southern Gray Whale Migration at the Islands
(December, January, early February)

During the winter months a herd of approximately 20,000 Easatern Pacific Gray Whales pass through the Santa Barbara Channel as they migrate south towards the Baja peninsula. Although the animals tend to be scattered and swim miles off shore, the majority of them pass through the narrow four mile wide passage between the islands of Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa. It is here at this migratory "bottleneck" that the CONDOR EXPRESS takes passengers to watch whale after whale as they move through the islands toward mexico.

1/2 day whale watching trips run daily aboard the CONDOR EXPRESS, weather permiting, out to this area where passengers can watch this amazing display of marine mammal migration. The boat departs at 10:00a.m. and includes a cruise along the rugged coast of Santa Cruz Island and a visit to one of the largest sea caves in the world, Painted Cave.

During the crossing, the boat often encounters a variety of species of dolphins and porpoises, seals and sea lions, as well as an occasional pod of Orcas, also known as killer whales, as they cruise the Channel's waters in search of prey.

So join the crew of the CONDOR EXPRESS and witness these incredible animals and the beauty of the Santa Barbara Channel and Islands in person.