Looking for a good boat to go out on for some whale watching. What is the best time of day to go?

Not sure where your looking to go whalewatching. We have had good experiences in the Atlantic Ocean (season starts in April) with watches leaving from Massachussetts:http://www.whalewatchingplymouth.com/

Right now I suspect the whalewatching is good in the Pacific Ocean from boats departing from Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii.

Come to Kaua`i -- you can watch the whales from the shore:
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2...ews/news01.txt

we saw hundreds of "tons" of hump back whales in S.E. Alaska in the inside passage. What ocean are you asking about?

Yes, I clicked on the Hawaii topic and this post didn't show. In the Americas- Alaska, Vancouver, Baja Mexico, Hawaii, and Provincetown all have excellent whale watching.

Thanks to all...I should have said that I will be in San Diego on 2/18-2/21.

We did a whale watch from Montauk and it was a hoot! Saw 7 or 8 whales and there was a young one (not baby - I guess toddler or so) playing with the boat - bobbing up first on one side and then the other - staring at up and blowing water in the air.

Reply to nytraveler,
Congratulations, you're the first of I heard of that has seen whales from a Montauk whalewatch. Do you recall what month/year you went. We have gone from Montauk a few times mid to late summer and been skunked.:-<

While fishing a couple hours NW of Los Cabos in Late Nov '01 we were treated to a medium large migration - nice way to conclude a successful fishing trip.
M

Ahotelman, glad you came back. Whale watching is indeed also good in San Diego. I seem to recall tours run on the odd hour. I think CA greys are the most common whale. We did a Hornblower tour when it wasn't whale season and saw dolphins and seals. I do know Hornblower also does whalewatching. You can buy tickets at the pier.

This was I think 3 years ago - don;t remember exactly when - but it was cilly - not summer. And there were several different whale sightings - the boats were radioing back and forth - so each one had its onw whales to check out. Have never heard of going out and not seeing whales.

Whales visit Hawaii, exp. Maui from Dec-April. This is a fantastic, amazing experience. They go there from Alaska to give birth.
I have had great upclose encounters with humpbacks off the coast of Massachussets, too. left from Plymouth, there is a plankton reef not too far from there.
I have even seen smaller whales-I think pilot, but not sure--off coast of Cape May-the Jersey shore! Who would've thought it?

I went on a whale watching tour from San Diego about 5 years ago. It was great, we saw 3 HUGE whales!! Of course, it's never a guarantee that you'll see any whales, but I still recommend it. Your hotel s/b able to provide you the necessary info.

Had an INCREDIBLE whalewatching tour in Monterey in September 2003. We must have seen 20 whales!