The Pacific Ocean off the West Coast of the United States is a place for recreation and enjoyment. Many people like just watching the waves as they splash to the shore. Other like to get in the water.
One of the popular activities in the Pacific Ocean is Whale Watching. Thousands of people go out in boats on the chance that they will see whales.
Whale watching is the practice of observing whales and dolphins (cetaceans) in their natural habitat. Whale watching is mostly a recreational activity, but it can also serve scientific and/or educational purposes.
A study prepared for International Fund for Animal Welfare in 2009 estimated that 13 million people went whale watching globally in 2008. Whale watching generates $2.1 billion per annum in tourism revenue worldwide, employing around 13,000 workers. [Wikipedia]
Many small charter boats are used for whale watching. People purchase tickets and ride out on the ocean with a guide. Whale watching can be done at all times of the year in certain areas, but there are specific times which are best for watching the different kinds of whales.
There are no guarantees that whales will be spotted on whale watching trips, but the dolphins are usually plentiful and interesting. Whale and dolphin watching is a popular type of recreation and entertainment in Southern California.
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