Whale Watching

Redwoods trees aren’t the only giants in Southern Humboldt: Gray Whales make their celebrated yearly appearance here April thru June, as the 50-foot mammoth mammals cruise the Lost Coast en route to their summer Arctic feeding grounds — often surfacing just offshore.

Whale watching on the Lost Coast is a big deal and Shelter Cove offers an unprecedented vantage point, with locals and tourists alike gathering at high bluffs and black sand beaches to spot mothers with newborn calves, or even giving birth.

With its natural resources and generous food supply, the Southern Humboldt coastline is a critical stopping location for Gray Whales during their migration and birthing periods. Humpback whales and orcas can also occasionally be seen along the Lost Coast whale trail.