Whale Watching in Long Beach: Spotting Blue & Fin Whales on an Unforgettable Ocean Adventure
May 2024 // Long Beach, California
Camera:
Sony α6000
Lenses:
Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens
Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens (SELP1650) *renewed
Locations:
Long Beach
Shoreline Village
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Today, my partner and I set out on a whale-watching adventure from Long Beach with Harbor Breeze Cruises, an experience that quickly became equal parts breathtaking and humbling - and not just because of the whales. We started our day with a waterfront lunch at Gladstone’s Long Beach, soaking in the marina views while enjoying fresh seafood. The harbor was alive with activity and it felt like the perfect way to ease into what was meant to be a relaxing afternoon on the water.
What I didn’t account for, however, was the ocean reminding me of my own limits. I’ve been on boats before, but this was my first time whale watching, which, as I quickly learned, is an entirely different experience - especially when you forget to take Dramamine. The moment we left the calm harbor and hit open waters, the rolling swells introduced themselves without hesitation. My stomach immediately revolted. I wasn’t alone - almost everyone around me looked progressively worse, gripping the railings and focusing hard on the horizon, silently battling their own regret. One unfortunate teenager spent the entire trip violently throwing up into the trash can on our deck, which made for an unforgettable soundtrack to our expedition. But just when I thought my focus would have to remain on survival, the first sighting happened.
A slow, graceful rise from the depths, followed by an exhale so powerful it sent a towering mist into the air - a blue whale. Our guide informed us that less than 1% of the global population will ever have the opportunity to see a blue whale in their lifetime. The fact alone was staggering. These whales are the largest animals to have ever lived, reaching up to 100 feet long and weighing nearly 200 tons. Seeing one emerge from the deep was surreal. Its massive body reflected the sunlight just before it disappeared beneath the surface again, leaving only ripples in its wake. Shortly after, we were treated to a sighting of three fin whales, the second-largest whale species in the world. Unlike the slow, majestic rise of the blue whale, the fin whales moved swiftly, their long, streamlined bodies slicing through the waves. Known as “the greyhounds of the sea,” they are among the fastest large whales and have a unique asymmetrical jaw, believed to help them hunt more efficiently.
Even with the seasickness, even with the teenager’s relentless vomiting just feet away, witnessing the largest creatures on Earth in their natural habitat made it all worth it. Long Beach, beyond its well-known attractions, offers a gateway to an incredible marine ecosystem where, depending on the season, you might spot gray whales, humpbacks, dolphins, or even orcas. But to see blue whales - an endangered species with only around 10,000 individuals left in the world - felt like something impossibly rare, something I’ll carry with me forever. Next time? I’ll remember to pack the Dramamine.
Gallery
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