Migration patterns with some whales and more aquatic animals can be seen in Long Beach, CA

By Jenny Alvarez

Photos Alfonso De Elias

Migrating gray whales, fin whales, orcas, humpback whales, dolphins, sperm whales, and other animals have been spotted in the waters off Long Beach recently. On January 13, 2017, the Aquarium of the Pacific and Harbor Breeze Cruises invite the media to set sail for the chance to see whales and dolphins in local waters while exploring current conservation issues. Members of the media will board the M/V La Espada, the specialized high-speed whale watching catamaran docked next to the Aquarium. Experts will delve into conservation issues affecting whales in these urban waters. Join us to learn more about the diversity of whale populations and other marine life found off the coast of Southern California.

The Aquarium of the Pacific’s award-winning Whales: Voices in the Sea multimedia exhibit. As guests explore this exhibit, they will learn about the environmental threats facing gray, blue, North Atlantic right, humpback, sperm, and other whales. Press can preview the bilingual English-Spanish exhibit after their whale cruise. This exhibit was made possible by the Pacific Life Foundation and was developed by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography with the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The gray–whale-watching season in California varies along the coast during winter and spring as the grays migrate south to the mating and calving lagoons of México, then return north to feed mainly off Alaska. In addition, during summer, blue, humpback and other whales can be seen. Since gray whales migrate relatively close to shore, whale watching for them has become very popular and this Aquarium might be one of your best options for more information about these great animals.