The Great “Turnaround”: When North Meets South on the Whale Highway
If you stood on a highway overpass, you would expect to see cars traveling in both directions. For the last two months, however, the “Gray Whale Highway” off Dana Point has been a one-way street. Virtually every whale we sighted was on a mission, heading south toward the warm lagoons of Baja, Mexico.
But now, things are getting interesting. We are entering a unique window of the season known as The Turnaround.
The Intersection of Seasons Mid-February to early March is a fascinating time for whale watching because two distinct phases of the migration collide.
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The Stragglers (Southbound): We are still seeing pregnant females and younger whales rushing south to catch the tail end of the breeding season.
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The Early Birds (Northbound): At the same time, the first wave of whales is already checking out of the lagoons and heading back north toward Alaska.
Who Goes North First? The first whales to turn around are typically the solitary males and females without calves. They have done their “business” in the lagoons and, driven by hunger, are eager to get back to the feeding grounds in the Arctic. (The mothers with new babies stay in Mexico much longer to let the calves gain strength).
How Do the Captains Know? Guests often ask us, “How do you know if they are going north or south?” It usually comes down to simple navigation. Our captains watch the whale’s “fluke prints” and dive patterns.
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If they are cruising toward San Diego? Southbound.
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If they are cruising toward Long Beach? Northbound.
During this crossover period, it is not uncommon to see a Southbound whale and a Northbound whale pass each other within the same hour. It creates a “traffic jam” effect that keeps our crew on their toes and our binoculars busy.
Why This is a Great Time to Visit This overlap means the volume of whales in our local waters is high. The highway is busy in both lanes! Whether they are coming or going, the sight of a 30-ton giant passing the Dana Point headlands is an experience you won’t forget.
Come watch the traffic jam with us!