One of the more popular and meaningful experiences that people can have near the ocean is to see whales in nature. While these majestic ocean mammals can be found around the world, they do migrate seasonally, which means you may want to plan a whale watching excursion when your chances of spotting them are best. Winter can be an ideal time if you know where to look, especially if you go whale watching San Diego, Monterey Bay, Hawaii, or even the Atlantic coast.  Here is a list of some of the best U.S. locations for whale watching in winter.

Hawaii

Anyone living in a snowy part of the country would welcome a Hawaiian break in the winter, but the bonus of going whale watching makes it even more enticing. Oahu and Maui are breeding grounds for humpback whales from December to April, making these islands an obvious choice for an ocean excursion. Between the beautiful weather and the whales, it’s no wonder that winter is the busy season for the Hawaiian Islands.

California

The best place, hands down, is san diego whale watching January through spring to see humpback and gray whales. You can see spouting from shore, but a charter tour leaving from San Diego can take you closer to the action. Monterey Bay is another prime location to see grays and humpbacks as well as blue whales, especially in December. If you find yourself somewhere in between these two areas, such as Santa Barbara or Big Sur, you can also have a good chance to see whales almost any time of year, but especially in winter.

Virginia

The Virginia Beach area is the ideal locale on the eastern coast to see whales in winter. Most common are migrating humpbacks, but if you’re vigilant, you may spot a fin whale. The best time to see them is from December through May.

South Carolina

Once those humpbacks pass Virginia on their way south to warmer waters, they pass right by Myrtle Beach, making it another great place to see them. Right whales are also known to show up from time to time in the winter, so you may want to take a whale watching tour during your off-season visit to the beach.

Florida

Most people associate Florida with sea turtles, sharks, or dolphins, but here’s a little tip: Jacksonville, on Florida’s First Coast, is one of the few places where you can catch a glimpse of one of the world’s most endangered species of whale, the North Atlantic right whale. With less than five hundred left, you would be blessed indeed to see one.

Keep in mind that there are plenty of other locations in the country to go whale watching in the spring, summer, and fall, such as Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, or New England. For those lucky enough to be in California, you may be able to see whales all year long. Book your San Diego harbor tour or plan a visit to Monterey Bay any time, and you may be fortunate enough to see whales, dolphins, seals, otters, and other sea mammals that live along the coast.