Whether you're searching for an informative day trip or an adventure holiday, there are a variety of ways to see these astonishing creatures in their natural habitat.  The historic experience San Diego  According to the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the practice of organized whale watching gained momentum in San Diego in the 1950s, after the city's Cabrillo National Monument was named as a public venue for observing gray whales.  From early September through early April, California gray whales travel past San Diego in their 10,000-mile annual migration from the Bering Sea to Baja California.  If you want to whale watch in true historic style, then take a day trip out on the 139-foot "America" yacht. Widely regarded as the most famous vessel in yacht racing history, in 1851 the "America" was the first to win the international sailing trophy now known, in tribute, as the America's Cup.  The exquisite wooden craft today runs daily excursions from the Maritime Museum of San Diego and is well-suited for whale watching due to its low sleek lines, deep keel and ability to quietly approach the sensitive marine mammals without a noisy engine.  In fact, the owners of the "America" are so confident about the smooth ride offered by the yacht that they offer a no sea sickness guarantee, stating: "If you lose your lunch...we will replace it!"  Responsible tourism Isle of Mull, Scotland  Around the chilly Isle of Mull in Scotland, minke whales -- known for their inquisitiveness and "human watching" tendencies -- can be found in droves.  Due to their relative abundance, they are often the focus of whale watching cruises, and so creating a sustainable industry around them has become a top priority.  For the conscientious tourist, Responsible Travel -- a small, family-run travel company that has won a handful of environmental awards -- offers a weekend break in conjunction with the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust.
They are the largest animals on the planet and spend around 90% of their lives underwater, surfacing to breathe for only fleeting moments.From the unimaginably colossal sperm whale, to the