Whale Watching - Farallon Island Eco Tours, San Francisco Bay California

Whale Watching Expeditions, + "Devils Teeth" Farallon Island Natural History Tours

SF Bay Whale Watching provides whale watching natural history expeditions from San Francisco Bay, California to the Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The full day excursion unfolds as you pass underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, cruise by the 1877 Point Bonita Light House, then head out 27 miles toward the Farallon Islands.

3/07/09 - Orcas (Killer Whales) visit the Gulf of the Farallones.
See the full story from the
Marin Independent Journal
and Our Blog for Photos and Story

You Just Never Know
Who You’ll Run Into
Outside The Gate
Give Some Memories with SF Bay Whale Watching Gift Certificates
photos: © Ed Estes and Kate Jacques

SFBay Whale Watching passengers had an unexpected surprise on their trip with SF Bay Whale Watching on 3/07/09. We encountered a pod of about 40 resident Killer Whales visiting our waters off the California coast and the Farallons.

Get Outside The Gate!
With SF Bay Whale Wathcing

The Farallon Islands are a National Wildlife Refuge, sparsely inhabited by scientists. To this day few humans have set foot on the islands because surrounding waters are rough, conditions are harsh, and there is not a natural cove in which to safely disembark. Yet the islands provide critical habitat for more than a quarter million breeding seabirds, the largest concentration of breeding seabirds within the contiguous United States.

The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is one of the richest ecosystems on the planet. The sanctuary contains 26 federally listed endangered or threatened species, including seabirds such as Marbled Murrelets, and the Leatherback Sea Turtle. Part of the planet's only recovering Blue Whale population regularly feeds in the sanctuary. Northern Elephant Seals, California and Steller Sea Lions breed or feed here, and Northern Fur Seals have resumed breeding on the islands for the first time in over 150 years.

Gray Whales, Humpbacks, and Orcas pass through the sanctuary. Autumn brings White Sharks that famously come to the waters around the Farallon Islands to feed. The island area serves as "nursery" for the Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Rockfish, and everybody's favorite, the Tufted Puffin.

Safely aboard a Coast Guard certified vessel, your experienced captain and crew will provide part of the tour. An expert naturalist will also be on board to describe what you see. Every trip is different, nature is unscripted, but the view of the California coast is always stunning and the sight of the Golden Gate Bridge from below is unforgettable. Trips leave the dock at 8:00 am and return between 3 and 4 pm.