Monterey, California, is a destination for whale watchers for good reason. Not only is it one of the only places in the world where you can spot whales year-round, it’s also home to the Monterey Canyon, one of the deepest submarine canyons on the western coast of the United States and a perfect habitat for a variety of marine species. Wildlife visible in the vicinity include blue, gray, humpback, fin, minke and orca (aka killer) whales, as well as multiple species of dolphins, porpoises and seabirds. While some sea creatures can be spotted all year long, specific varieties change with each season.
Not only do the following tours have hundreds or thousands of reviews with a minimum 4 out of 5 star rating, they all have guides well-versed in marine biology eager to share their insights.
If you’re interested in booking a whale watching tour, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind:
- Some companies impose minimum age requirements for their whale watching trips, so if you’re traveling with kids, check to make sure they meet the age requirement.
- You’ll also want to wear warm clothes – it can get quite chilly out on the water.
- If you’re prone to seasickness, heed the advice of past travelers and take motion sickness medication the night before your tour as well as the morning of the tour. Morning cruises are also usually calmer than afternoon tours, when the water tends to be rougher. If you alert the crew that you’re prone to seasickness, they’ll help direct you to the best place to stand or sit on the boat to assuage your nausea.
Price: Adults from $75; kids from $65
Duration: 3 hours
This is a convenient option for travelers staying in downtown Monterey – the boat departs from Old Fisherman’s Wharf, which is located within walking distance of several top attractions and hotels. On this half-day excursion, you’ll explore the waters off the Pacific Grove coastline. Trips are narrated by marine biologists or naturalists, who offer techniques for spotting whales and dolphins and capturing high-quality photos and videos.
Whale watchers consistently describe the guides and other crew members as knowledgeable and friendly, with many calling the boat tour the highlight of their Monterey vacation. Reviewers appreciate the small size of the boats, which not only puts passengers closer to the water, but also limits the number of people on board (a maximum of 35 people are allowed on board).
Throughout the year, Discovery Whale Watch typically offers both morning and afternoon outings; exact departure times vary by the season. Extended (six-hour) trips beginning at 8 a.m. are also offered during orca season in April and May.
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Price: Adults from $85; kids from $71
Duration: 4 hours
Travelers rave about the kind, courteous crew operating Monterey Bay Whale Watch, who lead a variety of year-round whale watching cruises. Along with the experienced boat captains, reviewers are also impressed with the marine biologists on board every tour, who reviewers say are experts at locating the whales and imparting their knowledge about the animals and their ecosystem. Cruisers also laud the crew’s preparedness for helping passengers cope with seasickness.
Cruises depart daily at 9 a.m. from Old Fisherman’s Wharf, but an additional 10 a.m. tour may also be offered in the summer months. The company also operates shorter, three-hour afternoon and sunset whale watch tours, in addition to eight- to 12-hour full-day whale watch cruises and specialty seabird tours.
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Price: Adults from $74; kids from $48
Duration: 2.5-3 hours
Set sail from Moss Landing, the closest port to the Monterey Submarine Canyon, with Sea Goddess. Thanks to the tour’s departure point, which sits about 20 miles north of Monterey, there’s less travel time to where the whales are feeding. And the large, spacious main and upper decks promise unobstructed, 360-degree views of the water, a highlight for photographers. What’s more, if you don’t spot a dolphin or whale on your tour, you can enjoy another tour with the company for free. Reviewers applaud the crew’s respect of the whales and the commentary from the onboard marine biologist. Travelers also appreciate that the boat allows for plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and never feels crowded.
Trips are offered daily all year long with both morning and afternoon launch times, usually at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 and 3:30 p.m., though schedules may vary by season. The company also operates a great white shark tour.
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Price: From $195
Duration: 3 hours
If you want an up-close-and-personal view of the wildlife that calls the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary home, consider this tour, which operates on a rigid-hull inflatable boat and departs from Moss Landing Harbor. Because of its smaller size, the boat can easily navigate to areas bigger boats can’t reach. The boat is also lower to the water, with a quiet engine that makes it easy to hear commentary from the captain/naturalist and doesn’t disturb wildlife. Plus, the boat accommodates just six passengers per trip, meaning you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Reviewers call the tour a once-in-a-lifetime experience and say it’s worth the money. Travelers especially appreciate the boat’s ability to reach areas larger vessels can’t access and report spotting animals within 15 minutes of leaving the harbor.
Tours depart daily from spring through fall, with additional winter outings available on request. Exact departure times vary by day. Note that kids must be at least 8 years old to participate. Daylong tours are also available.
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Price: Adults from $75; kids from $50
Duration: 3 hours
Cruise Monterey Bay in comfort on a spacious 100-foot boat with a heated cabin, large windows and outdoor seating. According to the company, the boat’s larger size allows for more stability compared to smaller vessels (and thus, decreases the chance of seasickness). Some reviewers say they still got sick, but most recommend this tour, specifically for the insightful marine biologist on board, who many describe as outstanding.
Princess Monterey typically offers multiple daily departure times throughout the day on its two boats; trips depart from Old Fisherman’s Wharf.
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Price: Adults from $95; kids from $85
Duration: 2-3 hours
Hop aboard the eco-friendly, biodiesel-powered 43-foot Sanctuary in search of whales and other wildlife. Boats depart from Moss Landing, which attracts feeding whales, dolphins, orcas, sea otters, sea lions and birds, meaning you won’t have to wait long to begin spotting wildlife. In fact, some travelers report seeing whales as soon as 20 minutes into the cruise. Others appreciate the boat’s small size and the limited capacity (up to 22 passengers are welcome aboard). Many are also impressed with the onboard naturalist, who cruisers say is quick to answer questions.
Tours generally depart once a day at 8 a.m. Sanctuary also operates longer, four-hour whale watching tours, in addition to specialty photography and daylong tours around Monterey Bay.
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Price: Adults from $60; kids from $40
Duration: 3 hours
All ages are welcome aboard Chris’ Whale Watching tours, which conveniently depart from Old Fisherman’s Wharf. Chris’ also runs one of the more affordable whale watching tours in Monterey, which may appeal to budget-conscious families. You’ll spend the tour with the boat’s experienced captain and skippers, who point out marine life like gray whales, killer whales, dolphins, turtles and porpoises. Reviewers applaud the knowledgeable, personable crew, and appreciate the small size of the boat.
Whale watching tours depart twice a day. The company also operates a variety of fishing trips.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Monterey Bay is considered a year-round whale watching destination. However, there are different months of the year when it’s easier to spot certain species. Humpback whales can be observed year-round, with peaks between March and November. The best time to see gray whales is in the winter, from December to April. And the best time to view killer whales is between mid-April and mid-May and again between late August and October. Meanwhile, blue whales are often spotted between July and October.
