Whale watching - seeing some of the largest animals on Earth - can be a thrilling activity. Being prepared for your whale watch and knowing what to expect can help make your trip a successful one. Following these tips will help you get the most out of your experience. Book Your Trip With a Reputable Company. Whale watching can be a thrilling adventure. It may also be an expensive, long trip, especially if you have children. If you're going whale watching, taking some time to research the whale watching tour operators will help you have a fun, successful whale watching trip. Check the Weather and the Marine Forecast. Maybe you love adventure, and the idea of cruising through rough seas, getting splashed with waves, is your idea of a great time. Whale watch operators will not go out if the seas are unsafe, but that might not mean they will be fun for you. Most captains and crew don't get seasick! If you're not sure about rough seas, or whether or not you'll get motion sickness, you'll probably want to go whale watching on the calmest day possible. Check not only the weather forecast, but the marine forecast. If the forecast is for high winds or seas, it's likely you will have a rocky trip. Check the Sightings. Whales are wild animals, so sightings can never really be guaranteed (although some companies "guarantee" sightings, this usually is a complimentary ticket to return on another day if no whales are sighted). But you may want to check on recent sightings in the area to see what species have been around and how many whales have been seen. Many companies will offer this information on their web site. If there is a whale research organization in the area, check their web site, as they may be more likely to offer an objective report of recent sightings. Remember that it can be 10-15 degrees cooler on the ocean, and showers can happen during the trip. Dress in layers, wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes, and bring a rain jacket if there's even the slightest chance of rain. Wear plenty of sunscreen, and a hat (and make sure your hat doesn't blow away!) Think About Taking Motion Sickness Medicine. If you are not sure how you will react to the motion of the ocean, think about taking motion sickness medicine. Many whale watches are several hours long, and this can be a very long time if you are not feeling well. Remember to take motion sickness medicine before you board the boat (usually 30-60 minutes prior) and take the non-drowsy version so you don't end up sleeping the entire trip! Bring Your Camera. Bring a camera to record your experience. Also bring plenty of batteries and make sure you have a clear memory card or lots of film in case the sightings are spectacular! Keep in mind that the average point-and-shoot camera might not deliver the speed and magnification needed to get the best pictures, especially if the company is following whale watch guidelines that dictate they watch whales from a distance. If you have a 35mm camera, a 200-300mm lens provides the most zoom and stability for whale watching. Remember to get some fun shots of you and/or your family with the ocean in the background, or interacting with the naturalist/crew on board! Get There On Time. Follow the company's guidelines as to when to arrive for boarding the boat. Make sure you arrive in plenty of time to stand in line for tickets and get on board. Whale watching should be a fun, relaxing experience, and rushing around at the beginning makes for a hectic start.

Keep An Open Mind

Whales are wild animals. They aren't trained to stay in a certain area, or put on a show. If you are looking to see specific whales do specific activities, the best place to do that is in an aquarium or marine park like Sea World. Remember that the photos you see on brochures and web sites are likely the best photos taken from many years of whale watches, and while you may see those things, they are likely not every day sightings. Instead of focusing on how many whales you're seeing or what they are doing or not doing, enjoy the whole experience, from smelling and breathing in the fresh ocean air, observing the birds and other marine life you see on the trip, and being away from your office/home/chores/etc. and out at sea for the day! If At First You Don't Succeed... The one thing that can be guaranteed about whale watching is that every trip is different. If you don't see a certain species the first time, try again another day or another year, and you'll likely have a completely different experience! Enjoy your trip!

Information about Whale Watching in Orange County California

Blue whales and Gray Whales are the most common whales you will see when Whale Watching in the Orange County area, but it is also possible to see many other types of whales as well. My first choice for whale watching in Orange County, does a great job at finding these mammals for you. Blue Whales, the largest mammals in the world, have been making appearances frequently in Orange County waters. Fin Whales and Minke Whales have also been seen more often and Humpbacks are always a possibility as are various other species of whales and sometimes Orcas. Dolphin can also be seen with great regularity and can actually be more exciting to watch than whales. Common Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphin are most frequently seen with Risso's Dolphin and Pacific White Sided Dolphin also spotted with regularity. Other Dolphin and Porpoise species are also possible as are seals and sea lions.