Whale Watching
Humpbacks feed in the bay much of the year, and gray whales pass in winter. Small boats leave from Harford Pier.
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- Humpbacks
- About April to November
- Gray whales
- About January to March
- Tours leave from
- Harford Pier, Port San Luis
- Operators
- Avila Beach Whale Watching, SLO Tours
San Luis Obispo Bay is a feeding ground, and whales come close. Humpbacks often feed within sight of Avila from spring into fall, and gray whales pass on their winter migration. Small boats leave from Harford Pier at Port San Luis, a couple of minutes past downtown.
Seasons
- Humpback whales: about April through November. Avila Beach Whale Watching calls mid-July through October its peak.
- Gray whales: about January through March, on their migration.
- Year-round: dolphins, porpoises, sea lions, harbor seals, sea otters and seabirds.
For what each season is like in town, see the best time to visit.
Tours
Avila Beach Whale Watching
A small family business with a 28-foot power catamaran that takes six passengers at most. Trips include a 2.25-hour summer whale watch, a 2.5-hour winter whale and wildlife trip, and a 1-hour coastal tour year-round. From April through November they run seven days a week. They also do private charters and ash scattering. The company says it finds whales on most trips, and over 90% of the time from June through November. Departs Harford Landing, 3950 Avila Beach Dr. avilabeachwhalewatching.com
SLO Tours
Harbor tours and whale watching trips in a military-style Zodiac inflatable from Harford Pier. 3975 Avila Beach Dr, Port San Luis.
Prices and schedules change by season, so check with each operator before you go.
Whale watching from shore
When the humpbacks are feeding in the bay, you can sometimes see spouts and breaches from land. Good places to look:
- Harford Pier. Walk to the end and scan the bay. The Avila Beach Pier downtown is mostly closed for repairs, so Harford is the pier to use. See Harford Pier and Port San Luis.
- The lighthouse grounds. If you visit Point San Luis Lighthouse, keep binoculars handy on the headland.
- From a kayak. Paddlers sometimes see whales in the cove. Stay well back and let them pass. See kayak and paddleboard.
Bring binoculars and be patient. Calm, clear mornings make spouts much easier to spot.
Local tips
- Book a morning trip; the ocean is usually calmer before the afternoon wind.
- Bring a warm layer and a windbreaker, even in summer.
- Take motion sickness medicine before you board if you need it, not once you feel queasy.
- From shore, scan for spouts on calm mornings, when they are easiest to see.
Frequently asked questions
When is whale watching season in Avila Beach?
Avila Beach Whale Watching runs trips February through November and calls mid-July through October the peak. Gray whales pass in winter, roughly January to March.
Where do whale watching boats leave from?
Harford Pier at Port San Luis, about two minutes past downtown Avila.
Can you see whales from shore in Avila?
Sometimes, especially when humpbacks are feeding in the bay. Harford Pier and the bluffs around Port San Luis are good places to scan.
How long is a whale watching trip?
Avila Beach Whale Watching runs 2.25-hour summer trips and 2.5-hour winter trips, plus a 1-hour coastal tour.
