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ew sights compare to scanning the horizon before your eyes settle on an 80-foot whale in the distance , gracefully making its way through the vast ocean , or the thrill of watching a pod of 100 dolphins jumping through rolling waves . These are just a couple of the life-changing experiences you can have aboard a whale watching boat in Newport Beach .
Newport Whales — a company dedicated to providing high-quality whale watching trips departing from the local harbor — includes both Newport Landing Whale Watching and its sister group , Davey ’ s Locker . Newport Coastal Adventure , another organization based in town , offers small-boat excursions that give onlookers the chance to get even closer to these impressive creatures .
And while these boats are in operation all throughout the year , the wealth of marine animals that make an appearance during the summer months make it the ideal time to take to the waves and explore nature in our own backyard .
“ Summertime whale watching … [ allows us to see ] some of my favorites ,” says Jessica Rodriguez , education and communications manager for Newport Whales . “ We have the possibility to see giant blue whales … [ and ] we also have opportunities to see humpback whales . … Year-round , we see fin whales , minke whales and dolphins . So there ’ s lots of different variety in the summer .”
Take a deep dive into the many reasons to hop aboard a whale watching boat this season as well as the tremendous diversity of wildlife you could see if you do so .
COURTESY OF NEWPORT WHALES
GET OUT ON THE WATER While the animals are definitely the main appeal , they ’ re not the only thing that makes these adventures the ideal outdoor experience . “ Wildlife aside , think of how fun it is to just go on a boat with your friends and family , grab a drink at the bar , listen to some music and then , on top of already having a great time , you get to see a pod of dolphins or a … whale ?” says Dani Fasser , a licensed boat captain for Newport Whales .
Those of all ages are welcome on the Newport Whales ships , which range from two-story catamarans — like the Newport Legacy , which can hold 140 guests , and the Ocean Explorer , which is ideal for around 80 attendees — to smaller
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