Whale Watch

The Whale Watch Program was started in 1986 by our Whale Mother, Bea Brunn, to educate the public about the amazing gray whale. The whales begin their journey at their summer feeding grounds off Arctic waters of the Bering, Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, to their winter calving lagoons off Baja California, Mexico, traveling south along the coast. They return after breeding or with their young via the same route, usually closer to shore with the mothers on the outside and the calves closer inland for protection.

Tasks: Whale Watch volunteers help visitors spot whales off the Sonoma Coast. Volunteers interpret the grey whale’s migration and natural history, and provide additional park information to visitors. Read the Whale Watch duty statement for a complete description.

Meeting times: State Parks Volunteer Docents are stationed at Bodega Head on weekends from 10AM – 2PM, January through May.

Training and requirements: No prior knowledge is necessary! New volunteers should attend and register for a Whale Watch training. Volunteers will then shadow experienced volunteers until they are comfortable interpreting on their own. New volunteers are required to attend one General Orientation, and encouraged to attend our affordable seminars to further their education. All new volunteers are required to complete New Volunteer Onboarding Packet and Duty Statement of Whale Watch Docent. Read our Volunteer Handbook for more information about becoming a volunteer.