Recently Viewed
Monterey Whale Watching Tour: Guided Marine Journey
4.8
881 Ratings
Monterey
Join a 4-hour excursion to spot whales. Tour guides, certified as naturalists or marine biologists, will explain the sights and interact with passengers on deck. Pro photographers frequently accompany the tours to photograph the amazing views and can provide advice on your own picture-taking.
Duration:
3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
1 day
learn more
Highlights
- 66 Fishermans Wharf - Meet at Fisherman’s Wharf to begin your whale watching experience at 9am. Monterey Bay is considered to be a premier destination for whale watching year round as these animals are often spotted there. Your whale watching trip will be narrated by a marine biologist or naturalist, who will provide you educational and interesting information about marine wildlife.
In addition to teaching you about the wildlife, your marine biologists and naturalists will provide information about the natural history of the local area and talk about conservation. While out on the ocean your marine biologists and naturalists will also be collecting sighting data for scientific research. During your trip the crew will show you how to spot whales and dolphins as well as give you advice on how to best capture photos and videos of the wildlife. You will return back to the original departure point between 12:30pm and 1pm.
What's Included
- Professional guide
- Live commentary on board
What's Not Included
- Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
- Food and drinks
- Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Additional Information
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Minimum drinking age is 21 years
- Warm layers are recommended
- Sun protection, camera, binoculars, water, and snacks are recommended
- If prone to motionsickness, please take precautionary measures and we also sell motion sickness remedies in the shop
Location
66 Fishermans Wharf
Fishermans Wharf
Parking Address:
101 Figueroa Street
Monterey CA 93940
Find beginning of Fisherman's Wharf with Pink building/Blue Lighthouse (Harbor House).
Walk past all the gift shops and turn right when you see a giant clock or the Crab house Restaurant.
Will be on the right the BLUE Building.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.8
(881 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Natalie_e
May 20, 2024
Spectacular - Great info along with spectacular humpback viewing right next to our boat and all around us. A special day.
Review provided by Viator
Roam371268
May 19, 2024
Amazing - We started at 8.00 and saw very quickly a whale and her calf and also dolpfines.
Then the fog came and our skipper decided to go more deeper in sea.
We came into somany dolphins and whales and Albatros that we did not know where to look first.
Because the crew and our host Sophie were so enthusiastic and we saw overwhelmingly many animals our trip lasted a lot longer.
We were very fortunate.
Thanks to everyone
Leen Makis
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pam_z
May 13, 2024
Awesome adventure in Monterey Bay - Excellent excursion!!
Captain Danny Frank and our guide, Isaiah, were a wonderful team. Your was very informative and we saw lots of whales, sea otters, sea lions and other sea life. I highly recommend this fun adventure.
Take motion sickness medication and dress warmly!
Review provided by Viator
U8508shnicks
May 10, 2024
Once in a Lifetime experience! - A fantastic trip! The sea was very rough and it did take quite a quiet (we wondered if we were going to be unlucky) but we eventually came across 3 humpback whales and wow it was worth the wait ! What an amazing sight, one we’ll never forget. Then to top it all, on the way back, the captain slowed the boat and we saw a pod of dolphins swimming alongside our boat. Another once in a lifetime experience !!
We would definitely recommend this trip, you won’t regret it !!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Voyager34111917867
May 9, 2024
Amazing! - The trip was amazing, many whales and the guides were extremely charming and knowledgeable! Highly recommend.we were so happy!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
42cmh
May 6, 2024
Wet but worth it day out whale watching - Wet & windy day just like a day in deadliest catch !!! But the crew were great and upbeat whilst all the other operators headed home we persevered and were rewarded with a fantastic display of breaching, tail & fin slapping from a couple of humpback whales 🐋🐋
Review provided by Tripadvisor
526stevep
Apr 24, 2024
Awesome - Half day whale watching experience. Had a great morning and managed to see Humpback Whales, and three different species of dolphin. Isaiah, our guide for the morning was excellent and gave us some great insight into the behaviour of these beautiful creatures. We saw a couple of whales breach the surface and dozens of pacific dolphins were chasing us and leaping in and out of the water all around the boat - amazing to watch . Would highly recommend this trip if yr visiting Monterey.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
C
Apr 23, 2024
Great tour - check in process needs improvement - First I want to rate lower because the ^lady^ in the office was purely anything but a lady. Rude and disregarding my privacy concerns that the waiver was online with a co.nz website and personal info it did not need!!!!!! She said the waiver was a Coast Guard requirement! I said the U.S. Coast Guard would not use a New Zealand website!! The only remedy provided was that "you don't have to go". However, I rated the tour a 5 because the boat crew was outstanding!!! Captain got us where we needed to be. Crew told stories, sang, and were extremely helpful and courteous!! Best whale watching experience ever!! (Other than check in)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lynn
Apr 21, 2024
Breaching humpback whale - We recently went on this 3.5/4 hour whale watching trip on our holiday to USA. We were in Monterey for 3 nights and wanted to do a whale watch trip. This one is more expensive than the 2 hour trips but in our experience well worth the extra cost (see photos). The crew are really good and friendly and give lots of information on the whales and history of the region. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
X9425kxtimf
Apr 19, 2024
Perfect day whale watching April 2024 - We met at the dock and did all forms in advance. Easy check-in. We had safety briefing 15 minutes prior to departure. We had a near full boat, they ran two boats the day we went.
The naturalist, Andrew and deckhand Jesse were helpful and informative. We saw six different humpback whales. We spent a good amount of time with a tremendous display from one humpback that was doing pectoral fin slaps for a good 20 minutes, plus rolling over for double pectoral fence slaps as well as fluke .
Great time, great seas. Roller waves were larger pest the point. Captain JJ maneuvered well and no one had any sickness on the boat.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
