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Happy 4th of July + A Rare Blue Whale Sighting 🐋
Published about 19 hours ago • 3 min read
Happy 4th of July, Reader,
To all of our readers in the United States, I hope you have a wonderful Independence Day weekend filled with family, friends, and maybe even a little travel.
As many of you know, Gary and I love wildlife and outdoor adventures. One of our favorite activities is whale watching. This year alone, we’ve been lucky enough to go whale watching in Dominica, Maui, Oahu (twice in one week), Juneau, and San Diego.
Every tour has been different. Some days we’ve seen dolphins by the hundreds. On other days, we’ve watched humpback whales breach in the distance. That’s part of what makes whale watching so exciting. You never know exactly what you’re going to find.
This week I’m sharing one of our most memorable wildlife experiences of the year.
Travel Experience of the Week
San Diego Whale Watching on a Historic Schooner
If you’ve followed Travel Must Do’s for a while, you know we never pass up an opportunity to get out on the water.
Our recent whale watching tour in San Diego turned out to be one of the most unique tours we’ve taken anywhere.
Instead of boarding one of the larger harbor whale watch boats, we sailed aboard a beautiful schooner from Shelter Island. The experience felt more personal, more relaxed, and much closer to the ocean.
The highlight of the trip came when we spotted something truly special.
A blue whale.
Blue whales are the largest animals on Earth, and seeing one in the wild is something I’ll never forget. We first spotted the massive spout rising from the water before getting several great views throughout the excursion.
Along the way we also saw bottlenose dolphins, hundreds of common dolphins, sea lions, and pelicans.
One of my favorite parts of the tour was that we actually sailed under wind power for part of the trip. It felt less like a sightseeing cruise and more like a true ocean adventure.
If you’re planning a trip to Southern California and love wildlife, this tour is definitely worth considering.
Before booking, I always look at these five things:
1. Boat Size
Large boats are usually more stable and often less expensive. Smaller vessels typically provide a more intimate experience and can sometimes get closer to wildlife.
2. Tour Length
Longer tours generally increase your chances of finding whales. Four-hour tours tend to provide more flexibility than shorter harbor excursions.
3. What Species Are in Season
Different locations and seasons attract different wildlife. Before booking, check which whales are commonly seen during your travel dates.
4. Departure Location
Some tours spend a significant amount of time traveling to the viewing area. Others start much closer to where whales are commonly found.
5. The Experience You Want
Do you want a comfortable sightseeing cruise or an adventure?
For us, the schooner experience in San Diego was special because it combined sailing with whale watching. It felt completely different from the larger whale watch boats we’ve enjoyed in places like Maui and Juneau.
No matter which tour you choose, remember that wildlife is unpredictable. That’s part of the fun.
Travel Find of the Week
Phone Security on the Water
If you’re taking photos from a boat, cruise ship, catamaran, or whale watch, protecting your phone is a must.
Cell Phone Holder Wrist & Crossbody Strap
I’ve used this phone holder for a couple of years and absolutely love it.
It keeps my phone attached while taking photos from moving boats and gives me peace of mind that I won’t accidentally drop it overboard while leaning over the rail for that perfect wildlife shot.
I have this one and the one I linked above (but not a picture of the one above)
New Favorite Crossbody Phone Wallet
I recently purchased this crossbody phone wallet and used it on our San Diego whale watch.
I ordered the blue version and received several compliments during the trip. It’s comfortable to wear and has just enough room for a credit card, hotel key, a little cash, and lip balm.
For days when I don’t want to carry a full purse, it’s become one of my favorite travel accessories.
P.P.S. Some links may be affiliate links, which means if you click and buy something, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Travel Must Do's.
Join Travel Must Do’s email list to get expert travel tips and unique destination ideas that'll make your next trip extraordinary. It’s the easiest way to access exclusive travel insights and inspiring stories that can’t be found anywhere else.
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