It’s High Season for Whale Watching

The annual migration of California gray whales is under way, with hundreds of the huge mammals making the trip from Arctic waters to the warm lagoons of Baja California.

Several organizations offer whale-watching trips and educational programs about these creatures and other marine life. Space is usually limited, so reservations are a must. A sampling:

* John Olguin, director emeritus of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, will lead the American Cetacean Society’s 16th annual “Around Catalina Island Cruise” on Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Experts in oceanography, sea birds, marine mammals, sea life and the geology of Catalina Island will explain the rich diversity of life encountered during the circumnavigation of the island aboard a Catalina Cruises vessel. (310) 548-6279

* Whales have perennially navigated Dana Point’s head land, providing an opportunity to view these magnificent animals from terra firma. The 1994 Dana Point Festival of Whales will provide visitors with many activities on Saturday and Sunday. Events will include marine life presentations at the Orange County Marine Institute, tide pool tours and programs aboard the tall ship, Pilgrim. (800) 290-DANA

* Naturalists from the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium will lead cruises from Long Beach, San Pedro and Redondo Beach through March. Cruises to view whales and other marine life generally are three hours long and operate daily. (310) 832-4444

* Informational booths, educational activities, lighthouse tours and entertainment for children and adults will make for a “Whale of a Day,” the annual event at Point Vicente Interpretive Center on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. (310) 377-5370

* The Los Angeles chapter of the American Cetacean Society is conducting the annual gray whale census from the Point Vicente Interpretive Center. Volunteers are needed to observe and note population levels and migration patterns. (310) 519-8963

* The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History will be offering trips aboard the 88-foot Condor out of Sea Landing in the Santa Barbara Harbor during the first three weekends in March. Trips will depart at 9 a.m. and return at 11:30 a.m. In addition, the museum will have a number of other events during Whale Awareness Week, March 7-11. Call (805) 682-4711 for information and trip registration materials.

* On March 12, the Los Angeles chapter of the American Cetacean Society will offer Floating Fiesta, a cruise to Catalina Island to view whales from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., departing from San Pedro. (310) 827-5045

* A nine-day cruise to explore the Baja Peninsula aboard the 95-foot vessel Searcher will follow the migration route of California gray whales March 6-15. Los Angeles County Natural History Museum naturalists and members of the American Cetacean Society will be on hand to instruct participants in the habits of marine life and the natural history of the area. (213) 744-6912

* A cruise to San Ignacio Lagoon and the Sea of Cortez in Mexico will be offered by the national American Cetacean Society March 18-29. Leaving from San Diego, participants will look for gray whales, blue whales, fin whales and humpbacks, along with other marine life. (310) 438-8960