Whale watching in San Francisco runs nearly year round, but it splits into two different seasons with two different animals. Humpback and blue whales feed near the Farallon Islands from roughly May through November, with the best months usually July through October. Gray whales pass the coast on migration from about December through May, and a few of them turn in through the Golden Gate and swim inside the Bay itself.
Most operators run 100-passenger boats out of Fisherman’s Wharf. We carry six. That’s the whole pitch, and it’s worth understanding why it matters before you book anything.
When is whale watching season in San Francisco?
There are two.
May to November: humpbacks and blues. Upwelling along the coast pushes cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface, krill and anchovy populations explode, and the whales that eat them show up to feed. Humpbacks are the reliable ones. Blue whales, the largest animals that have ever lived, come through in smaller numbers and usually later in the season, August into October. This is the window where you’re watching whales that are staying put and eating, which means better looks and longer encounters.
December to May: gray whales. Gray whales migrate between the Arctic and the lagoons of Baja California, and San Francisco sits on the route. Southbound traffic peaks in January. The northbound leg runs February through May, and that’s the one worth timing, because mothers travel with calves and hug the coast to keep them away from orcas.
Spring: orcas, sometimes. Transient Bigg’s killer whales show up around the Farallones most often in April and May, hunting gray whale calves and sea lions. Nobody can promise you orcas. But if you’re going to try, spring is when.
If someone tells you there’s a single best month, they’re guessing. Ask what you want to see first.
Why the Farallon Islands
The Farallones sit about 27 miles west of the Golden Gate, inside the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary. The continental shelf drops off nearby, which drives the upwelling that feeds everything else. Around the islands you get humpbacks, blues, gray whales in season, plus white sharks in the fall, elephant seals, sea lions, and one of the largest seabird colonies in the contiguous United States.
It’s also a real crossing. Open ocean, no shelter, and conditions on the way out are frequently nothing like conditions in the Bay. Any operator who doesn’t tell you that up front is selling you something.
Are there whales in San Francisco Bay?
Yes, mostly gray whales, mostly between January and May. They come in through the Golden Gate to rest, feed on the shallow bottom, and occasionally to hang around Angel Island or the Alameda side for days at a time. Some years bring more than others. The first gray whale of 2026 was reported inside the Bay on January 21, which is early even by the standards of the last few seasons.
Humpbacks have started appearing inside the Gate more often too, following anchovy schools. That’s newer behavior and it’s the reason vessel strike and speed rules keep getting tighter in the Bay.
What kind of whales are in San Francisco Bay and offshore?
- Gray whale. 40 to 45 feet, mottled gray, no dorsal fin. Heart-shaped blow. December through May, coastal and inside the Bay.
- Humpback whale. 45 to 50 feet, long white pectoral fins, breaches and lunge feeds. May through November, occasionally inside the Gate.
- Blue whale. 70 to 90 feet, tall vertical blow you can see from a mile off. Late summer into fall, offshore near the shelf break.
- Orca (Bigg’s). Transient hunters, most likely April and May near the Farallones.
- Minke whale, harbor porpoise, Pacific white-sided dolphin. Common enough to see on any given trip.
Harbor porpoises came back to the Bay after roughly six decades away. You’ll see them under the Golden Gate on a calm day.
What a trip with Molly’s Boats looks like
The Miss Molly is a six-passenger vessel. That’s a Coast Guard limit on the boat, not a marketing decision, and it includes everyone aboard regardless of age. Six people means everyone gets a rail, the captain can turn the boat for you, and you’re not watching a whale over three rows of shoulders.
Whale trips are private charters departing from Hyde Street Harbor — you’re not sharing the boat with strangers, and the day is built around what you want to see. If gray whale calves in April are the point, we plan for that. If it’s a blue whale in September, that’s a different route and a different day. A Bay-focused trip and a full Farallon run are different days on the water — we’ll confirm the route, departure time, and timing that fit what you want to see when you book. Tours start at $599 for the whole boat — see current details on the Whale Watching Tour page.
We follow NOAA’s approach guidelines: 100 yards off whales, engines out of gear if one comes to us. Whales approach boats more often than people expect, and the rule for that is to sit still and let it happen.
What to bring
Layers, and more of them than you think. It’s routinely 20 degrees colder and 20 knots windier three miles outside the Gate than it was in the parking lot. Bring a windproof outer layer, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen even when it’s gray.
If you get motion sick, take something before you leave the dock. Bonine or Dramamine both work, but they work as prevention, not as treatment. Once you’re sick offshore, you’re sick for the trip. Talk to your doctor if you’re unsure. Our guide to motion sickness on the Bay covers prevention and remedies in detail.
Bring a camera with something in the 100-300mm range if you have it. Phone cameras do fine for a breach 50 yards out and poorly for anything else.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time for whale watching in San Francisco?
July through October for humpbacks and blue whales feeding near the Farallon Islands. February through May for gray whales migrating north with calves.
Can you see whales from San Francisco without a boat?
Sometimes. Point Reyes, the Marin Headlands, and Land’s End all get gray whale sightings during migration. You are watching a distant blow from a cliff, which is not the same experience as being on the water.
How long is a whale watching trip?
It depends on the route. A trip inside or near the Bay is shorter than a full Farallon Islands run. We’ll confirm timing for the route you want when you book.
Do you guarantee whale sightings?
No, and be careful with anyone who does. In peak season the odds are strong. They are not certain, and a guarantee usually just means a voucher for another trip.
How many people can come?
Six maximum, including children and infants. Coast Guard rule for this vessel.
Is it rough out there?
Offshore to the Farallones, often yes. Inside the Bay, usually not. We’ll tell you honestly what the forecast looks like before you commit.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Credit card deposit is held, not charged. Cancel more than 7 days out and the hold is released with no fee. Inside 7 days, the full fare is forfeited. If the weather is unsafe, we don’t go.