Mariah was pretty stoked when she realized that one of her good friends from high school had just moved to the area for college, so we were able to meet up with her and bring her along. There's nothing better than enjoying a new experience with an old friend!
The tour was scheduled to start at 11am, so we went online to purchase our tickets in advance, which saved $10 off the gate admission price, making the tickets right around $35 each. Once on board, you could move to the front of the ship for optimal views, but we chose to sit along the side where we had our own table and chairs to relax at. Mariah and her friend opted to go below deck to stay out of the sun and watch from the windows.
Once everyone was loaded, we were off! It did take us quite a bit of time to get out to the ocean depths, but we had some great views on our way out.
I think they were just as curious about us as were were about them. They kept circling the ship, swimming up past the sides, so you really didn't need to be up front to catch a view. We were able to idle there for about 10 to 15 minutes so everyone could get a good look, then we were off again in hopes of finding something bigger. Sadly, only the dolphins wanted to come out and play that day, so spotting a whale was a bust, but it was still quite an amazing experience.
Overall, the tour lasted a little over 2 hours. While it was sunny and warm that day, it does get cold out on the water, so I would suggest wearing jeans and bringing a jacket if you don't want to sit below deck in the enclosed area. Also, refreshments are not included in the ticket price, but are available to purchase on board. Even without seeing a whale, we had a great time and would highly recommend booking a cruise if you are in the area.
Have you ever seen whales or dolphins in their natural habitats?
Oh, sister, it took you only about half a year to post these :PPP
ReplyDeleteDolphins are such lovely creatures! And that little ship is gorgeous with those blue lines.
I know. I lagged really bad last year with sorting through travel photos. I should be able to get all caught up in the coming weeks though.
DeleteI love dolphins, so getting to see them was quite a treat. We also saw a ton of jellyfish out in the ocean. Those I don't like as much lol
the ocean world is the strangest and most amazing... I've never seen it, but they do say we haven't unlocked even a smallest part of all of sea and ocean secrets.
DeleteI don't think I will ever see an ocean, but I would like to have a small house in a forest, though, but only with a handy hunky housekeeper because I'd die in nature without practical help :)
A handy hunky housekeeper is something we should all have access to, even when we aren't living out in the wilderness.
DeleteI think they have a few around here, never been on one though. The dolphins look to be having a grand old time.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you'd have a better shot at seeing whales up there. I think some day we may go on a whale watching cruise in Alaska, so if we do, hopefully we'll see some then.
DeleteWOW I've never seen them that I can remember. How cool! I love the vibrant colors!
ReplyDeleteIt really was neat seeing them in their natural habitat. They are such fun creatures!
DeleteThat looks like a great cruise and seeing dolphins is just as good as whales. I will keep this idea in mind if I get to the left coast. I have only seen the dolphins in SeaWorld.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do Melissa. Seeing then swim wild and free is much better than seeing them in Sea World.
DeleteWhat an awesome way to spend your down time! Whale watches are SO MUCH FUN!
ReplyDeleteThey sure are Robin :)
DeleteI've only seen them on tv you got great pictures.
ReplyDeleteI would love to take the family to go whale watching! It was awesome that you also got to see some dolphins as well.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like such an amazing family experience! Whale watching is one of the most wonderful activities.
ReplyDeleteI was watching something on t.v. recently about whales, and thought that that would be so awesome to see in person. Such majestic and gentle creatures!
ReplyDeleteOh those dolphins are such playful creatures! I would love to have this experience someday. Whale watching would be so thrilling. Those gentle creatures are just mesmerizing to watch.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome experience especially for the kids! I love watching dolphins, they're so adorable and fascinating! This would be so much fun!
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad you didn't see a whale. However, what fun to see that curious pod of dolphins!
ReplyDeleteWow! I've never gone whale watching! Such gorgeous pictures! Thank you so much for sharing them!
ReplyDeleteWhale watching is on my bucket list. I've been lucky to see dolphins several times out in the wild but would love to see whale... never a guarantee but would love to try.
ReplyDeletenever in nature
ReplyDeleteThis is on my bucket list now. I would love to watch for whales.
ReplyDeleteI have a friend who did this and totally loved it. I have always loved the sea.
ReplyDeleteHow I miss watching dolphins in the wild! We have a special spot in Lampung, Indonesia, my hometown, where we can see a group of dolphins in their natural habitat. I haven’t seen the whale but I really want to try next time..
ReplyDeleteHow amazing that you live so close to such wonderful creatures. Good luck spotting a whale next time. I am sure you'll be on the lookout for them once you head back home this fall.
DeleteThat is a pretty sweet trip to be a part of! Love the ocean but have never seen a whale 😶.
ReplyDeleteSame here. We've been to both the Pacific and Atlantic, but have never seen any whales. I do hope to some day though!
DeleteWe have a dolphin cruise booked here. I can't wait. I've never seen them playing in the wild, so I'm hoping they come out when we go. You're braver than I am with the whales though, they're so big they scare me. Hurrah that Mariah had a good friend in the area to bring along. I'm sure that was a huge treat for them both. :)
ReplyDeleteWatch, the dolphins won't come out for you, but a whale would. We'll have switched cruises then. Wouldn't that be something? lol
DeleteIt sounds like you had an awesome cruise with your family, Theresa! I appreciated the photos you shared because I have been to Long Beach many times in my past and have sailed in and out of Long Beach to Catalina. It was also fun to see the Queen Mary which I visited four or five times when I lived in Garden Grove. I have been fortunate to see many dolphins, porpoises and whales out on the water ~ all are found in the Bay of Fundy and in the waters around Newfoundland and the rest of the Maritimes. It's always a thrill.
ReplyDeleteWe sailed past Catalina and it looked so beautiful! I wish we would have been able to make a visit there while we were in the area but sadly, there wasn't enough time. How lucky you have been to have seen so many amazing creatures in the water. Fingers crossed we'll get to see even more on our next cruise.
DeleteI've never seen a whale, but living near the coast have seen dolphins on several occasions - sometimes swimming close by at the beach. Even after seeing them so many times, it never ceases to excite me to see them. They are amazing to watch, and so fun and playful.
ReplyDeleteI would be so giddy with a surprise peek at them while at the beach. They really are such fun animals to watch!
DeleteThat would be a fun experience! You captured great pictures of the dolphins.
ReplyDeleteunforgettable experience of seeing dolphins, but unfortunately far from my country
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