Monterey Bay & New Port Beach, California, USA
Whales of the Pacific — California Gray Whale Migration
January is when the California coast comes alive. The gray whale migration is one of the longest animal migrations on earth — nearly 20,000 kilometres from the Arctic to the warm lagoons of Baja California — and the Pacific coastline between Monterey Bay and Newport Beach sits directly in its path. We spend five days in Monterey, where humpbacks and orca join the grays in one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet, and then drive the Pacific Coast Highway south to Newport Beach, which is one of the finest land and boat vantage points for the migration on the entire California coast. Ten days, two locations, and some of the most extraordinary marine wildlife photography I've done anywhere in the world.From
USD 5,500
per person · twin sharing
excludes international flights
Single Occupancy Supplement
USD 1,200
additional per person
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Whales of the Pacific Workshop Itinerary
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January 15th
Guests arrive independently into Monterey from San Francisco or direct. Check into the hotel, settle in, and meet for dinner. Over the meal I'll walk through the next five days — the vessels we'll be on, the species we're likely to encounter, how to shoot from a moving boat in swell, and how to expose correctly for a dark marine subject against bright Pacific sky. Practical, focused, and everything you need to know before we're on the water tomorrow at dawn.
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January 16th - 20th
Pre-dawn breakfast and down to the harbour. We charter private vessels out of Monterey Bay — the kind of boat that gets you close without disturbing the animals, with a local marine naturalist who knows these waters better than anyone. January in the Bay means gray whales moving south, humpbacks feeding in the upwelling, and frequently orca. The light on the Pacific in winter is extraordinary — low, warm, and long. I'll be on deck with you throughout, working on anticipation, tracking behaviour, and how to get the frame before the moment rather than after it. Afternoons back at the hotel for rest and image review.
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January 21st
Morning drive south from San Luis Obispo through Santa Barbara and into Orange County — about three and a half hours. The landscape shifts from rugged Big Sur country to the wider, more open Southern California coastline. Check into the hotel, settle in before our first Newport charter tomorrow.
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January 22nd-24th
We charter private vessels out of Newport Harbor each morning for four to six hours, following the migration route, watching for spouts, and positioning for the light. The Southern California light in January is cleaner and softer than summer — it's genuinely beautiful to work with and the open Pacific horizon makes for extraordinary backgrounds. Evening image sessions with a focus on editing and developing your final body of work from the expedition.
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January 25th
We charter private vessels out of Newport Harbor each morning for four to six hours, following the migration route, watching for spouts, and positioning for the light. The Southern California light in January is cleaner and softer than summer — it's genuinely beautiful to work with and the open Pacific horizon makes for extraordinary backgrounds. Evening image sessions with a focus on editing and developing your final body of work from the expedition.
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp
Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp is a specialist photographic safari camp in Maasai Mara, Kenya, established in 2017 based on a shared photography concept developed by Arnfinn Johansen and John Siololo. It is an eco safari camp, made for professional wildlife photographers and nature photo enthusiasts. The camp is located in Oltepesi Village, a genuine Maasai village about five minutes from the border to Maasai Mara National Reserve. With this unique location, you will also experience the Maasai people’s traditional and famous culture.
Accommodation is provided in spacious safari tents. While no rooms are identical in appearance, each is equipped with an en-suite bathroom, featuring a shower, washbasin, and flush toilet. Staying within a Maasai village rather than in a typical tourist lodge offers a unique chance to experience the pride and culture of the Maasai people firsthand. Their hospitality is truly remarkable and you can enjoy a traditional Maasai-style barbecue.What's Included
Included
Not Included
Getting Here
Arrival
Fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) and connect domestically to Mara Olkiombo Airstrip (OLX). A private vehicle meets you on arrival and transfers you directly to Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp, Masai Mara.
Departure
On Day 11 a private vehicle transfers you from Oltepesi Tented Safari Camp to Mara Olkiombo Airstrip (OLX). From Mara Olkiombo Airstrip you fly into Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) to meet back at the hotel for a night before your onward international flights.