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Observation Post #9 The entire Gray Whale population migrates within three miles of the Monterey coastline every winter and spring. Whales migrate north from mid February through May, peaking during mid March. Most adult and juvenile whales pass Monterey on their way to Alaska by mid April. Mother gray whales heading north with their new calves pass Monterey in April and May. Nancy Black and the sightings network of Monterey Bay Whale Watch Center monitor the migration's progress.
Many say Monterey is the best place along the California coast to observe gray whales. Why? the shallow continental shelf does not extend very far from shore off Monterey due to the nearshore Monterey Submarine Canyon. Comparable in size and shape to the Grand Canyon, it extends over 50 miles offshore. In some places this canyon is 12,000 feet deep! Dense kelp beds grow nearshore over the rocky bottom areas. These areas create a diversity of habitats for marine animals. The Monterey Submarine Canyon is surrounded by the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary — the largest United States National Marine Sanctuary. |
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