Whale Watching on the Pacific Coast

Identify marine mammals on your whale-watching trips and beach outings in California, Oregon, and Washington.


Seeing a whale is an experience unlike any other. You wait, you hope, and when a beautiful creature breaks the ocean surface, the moment is as thrilling as it is unforgettable. Whether you’re a tourist on vacation or a local resident on a day trip, keep this booklet close at hand. Written by environmental educator and Emmy Award-winning documentary film producer Stan Minasian, it features more than 20 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises—as well as other marine wildlife. When you spot an animal in the Pacific Ocean, check this guide to identify it and learn more about it!


The handy booklet is applicable to the coastal waters of California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, and Alaska. It provides a brief introduction to cetaceans (marine mammals) and outlines what to expect when watching whales from land or while on a cruise. The guide also presents the best land-based locations for whale-watching, organized by state. The pocket-size format is much easier to use than laminated foldouts, and the tear-resistant pages help to make the spiral-bound book durable in the field.


As an added bonus, the guide introduces present-day threats to whales and discusses US laws that help to protect whales, including the Marine Mammals Protection Act. The booklet documents specific requirements that whale-watching vessels must adhere to, like how far away they must remain from various whale species, and it even outlines details about a phone hotline and a smartphone app that you can access if you spot a whale in trouble.


Book Features:




Pocket-size format—easier than laminated foldouts
Professional illustrations and photographs for quick identification
Whale-watching locations organized by state
Easy-to-use information for even casual observers
Suggestions for choosing an eco-friendly whale-watching vessel
Whale-watching “do” and “don’t” tips from an expert