With World Oceans Day, June 8, right around the corner, these destinations offer experiences that take family travelers to the water to learn about and appreciate the ocean and its inhabitants.
World Oceans Day was originally proposed in 1992 by Canada’s International Centre for Ocean Development and the Ocean Institute of Canada at the Earth Summit in Brazil. Continuing to foster Canada’s commitment to environmental conservation, Victoria, the waterfront capital of British Columbia, is a sustainable leader, as well as a natural beauty, making eco-friendly whale watching a popular destination. Prince of Whales, celebrating 30 years in 2023, offers travelers climate-positive whale tours. In 2022, Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Watching Tours won numerous awards and was also the first in the industry to join 1% for the Planet to adopt carbon neutrality and implement a per-guest wildlife fee to support conservation efforts. Orca Spirit provides carbon-neutral tours and is the only whale-watching company in Victoria to use ultra-quiet, ultra-clean Yamaha four-stroke engines, creating minimal disturbance to marine life.
Santa Barbara, California
As one of California’s most desirable coastal towns, Santa Barbara is poised to become a whale heritage site to further protect various whale and dolphin species. Travelers can safely appreciate these beautiful creatures on a tour with CONDOR Express, a responsible whale-watching company in business since the 1970s. For different ways to explore the beautiful waters, guests can relax at one of the many beaches, catch some waves surfing, book a sailing excursion or embark on a guided or self-guided kayaking tour.
City Cruises San Diego
Along California’s coast, the popular activity of whale watching kicks off for the summer season in late June. Travelers can experience a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see the seasonal migration of blue whales and other wildlife, including minke whales, fin whales, dolphins, sea lions and more. San Diego City Cruises’ seasonal Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure runs June through September, following the migration of blue whales from Central America to California. With changes in ocean temperatures and an abundance of krill, the past few years attracted far more blue whales to San Diego’s coast than in the past. In partnership with San Diego Natural History Museum, guests onboard learn about wildlife with narration from expert captains and volunteer naturalists. With whale sightings guaranteed, passengers get a free pass for another cruise if whales don’t make an appearance.
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