……objective science for conservation…….

The Pacific WildLife Foundation is a non-profit coastal and marine research and education society  that inspires an appreciation for objective scientific research and conservation of the ocean. We conduct original research, develop novel education programs, and inspire an appreciation for conservation of the ocean. 

Gray Whale Eschrichtius robustus

Gray Whale Distribution & Migration

Gray Whale Pacific Distribution

Gray Whale Migration

Gray whales migrate annually along the North American coast, between summer feeding grounds in northern seas and breeding lagoons in Mexico. Southbound gray whales travel through Unimak Pass in the Aleutian Islands in November to swim about 5 km offshore until they arrive off Mexico’s Baja California in early January. The spring migration proceeds north from February to May with mothers and newborn calves the last to leave the breeding lagoons.  The whales pass closer to shore than the southern migration and are easily watched from viewpoints along the coast. This migration brings the whales in contact with killer whales that attack the calves and adults and leave tell-tale tooth scars on the bodies of adults. The best time to watch migrating gray whales in British Columbia is from mid-March to mid April.