This image shows the fins of several gray whales above the surface of the water

Recent Sightings


  • TUESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2025

    Sea conditions were calm and visibility was excellent to the horizon. Slightly hazy at times.

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

    * 5 southbound gray whales; two traveling together, 3 traveling solo; 1 fluked,  long dives by all

     * 54 harbor seals

    * 1  California sea lion hauled out with the harbor seals

    * 1 great blue heron

    * 4 killdeer

    * 4 black oystercatchers

    * 3 American kestrels

    * 1 gopher

    GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE: 27 southbound


  • MONDAY, JANUARY 6, 2025

    Today we had no visibility due to a thick and persistent fog. At one point at the Point Arena Lighthouse, the fog cleared briefly and we did spot one gray whale traveling south!

    We also observed:

    * 6 harbor seals swimming around their haul out site

    * 1 great blue heron

    * 1 red-tailed hawk

    * 2 American kestrels

    GRAY WHALES SEEN TO DATE =

    22 southbound


  • SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2025

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

     * 5 southbound gray whales

     *21 harbor seals

     * 2 red-tailed hawks

     * 3 American kestrels

     * 1 great blue heron

        GRAY WHALES TO DATE:   21 southbound


  • SATURDAY, JANUARY 4, 2025

    Observations from the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula:

     * 4 southbound gray whales, 2 traveling together, 2 traveling solo

     * 6 harbor seals swimming around the rocks at their haul out site which was covered with high surf

      * 1 kingfisher

      * 1 Ferruginous hawk

      * 1 red-tailed hawk

      * 2 American kestrels

     * 3 black oystercatchers

     *3 black turnstones

     * 1 Great blue heron

       Gray whales seen to date: 16 southbound


  • FRIDAY, JANUARY 3, 2025

    Today’s weather presented a true mixed bag with  ever changing conditions. We had some sun, a few squalls that produced wind, rain, and even a bit of hail. The ocean was choppy but overall visibility was good.

    At the Point Arena Lighthouse peninsula we observed:

    * 1 southbound gray whale

    * 3 harbor seals (their haul out was covered with high surf)

     * 1 Ferruginous hawk

     * 1 red-tailed hawk

    * 1 peregrine falcon

    * 2 American kestrels

    * 1 Great blue heron

    * 3 black oystercatchers

            Gray whales seen to date: 12 southbound