Now is the best time of year to see blue whales in San Diego

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Blue whales are currently being spotted along San Diego’s coast, according to local experts, and now is the best time to catch a glimpse of the rare animal.

“The blue whales are here. They are the largest creatures ever to be on planet earth, larger than all the dinosaurs,” said Captain Kyle Hargrave of Adventure Whale Watching. “They’re here in full force, at least 25 of them.”

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Adventure Whale Watching tour guides began seeing the blue whales about two weeks ago along the coast of San Diego. The whales feed on about six tons of krill a day and measure about 90 feet in length and weigh 100,000 pounds.

“These blue whales are incredibly peaceful and very gentle giants. For the most part they don’t even realize humans are even present,” said Hargrave.

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Hargrave was a San Diego attorney for many years before switching gears and becoming a tour guide. He went on a whale watching tour, getting up close and personal to the majestic animals, and quickly fell in love with them.

“I’m extremely passionate about whales. I fell in love with whales and felt I could do more to help whales,” he added. “I’m in this to protect the whales.”

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Blue whales travel around 5 m.p.h., and are passing through San Diego on their way North. Experts hope they will stay around through July.

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