Monterey Bay, on the central California coast, is one of the richest marine areas in North America. A submarine canyon deeper than the Grand Canyon lies just offshore, bringing cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface and feeding everything from krill to blue whales. Along the shore, sea otters float among kelp forests and harbour seals haul out on beaches. The bay is protected as the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
At a glance
| Best time | Year-round; different whales in different seasons |
| Getting there | About 2 hours by road south of San Francisco |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 days |
| Big draws | Sea otters, humpback and blue whales, orcas, kelp forests |
| Good for | Families, road trips along the California coast |
Sea otters
- California’s southern sea otters were hunted almost to extinction for their fur; a small group survived near Big Sur. Today around 3,000 live along the central coast. See our sea otter profile.
- Elkhorn Slough, near Moss Landing, is one of the best places to see them: rafts of otters rest in the estuary. Kayak and pontoon boat tours are popular.
- Otters are also seen from shore along Monterey’s Cannery Row, Pacific Grove and Point Lobos.
- Sea otters are a keystone species: by eating sea urchins, they protect kelp forests.
Whale watching
| Season | Whales |
|---|---|
| December to April | Grey whales migrating south and then north with calves. See our gray whale profile |
| April to December | Humpback whales feeding, sometimes very close to shore. See our humpback whale profile |
| June to October | Blue whales and fin whales. See our blue whale profile |
| April to May | Orcas hunting grey whale calves (transient orcas). See our orca profile |
| Year-round | Risso’s dolphins, common dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins |
Boats leave from Monterey and Moss Landing, and trips usually last two to four hours.
Other wildlife
- California sea lions and harbour seals on docks and beaches. See our California sea lion profile.
- Elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park (north) and Piedras Blancas (south). See our southern elephant seal profile for a relative.
- Seabirds: sooty shearwaters in huge numbers in late summer, brown pelicans and albatrosses offshore.
- Monarch butterflies winter at the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary (November to February).
Monterey Bay Aquarium
On Cannery Row, the aquarium’s kelp forest exhibit and sea otter rescue programme are world famous and a great introduction to the bay.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to see sea otters in Monterey? Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing, especially on a kayak or boat tour.
When is the best time for whale watching in Monterey? There are whales year-round: grey whales in winter, humpbacks and blue whales from spring to autumn.
Can I see orcas in Monterey Bay? Yes, especially in April and May, when they hunt grey whale calves.
Is kayaking with sea otters allowed? Yes, but keep at least 60 feet (about 18 m) away and do not disturb them.
Related guides
- Where to see whales in North America
- Grey whale watching in Baja California
- Orca watching on Vancouver Island
- Animal profiles: Sea otter, Humpback whale, Blue whale
Cover photo: Daniel H. Friese, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons