Whale watching from Santa Cruz in Monterey Bay

Enjoy a narrated whale watching adventure aboard a 60 foot luxury charter boat, and experience the Monterey Bay area like never before! This tour from Santa Cruz is centrally located to to get you to whale territory so you can spot these magnificent sea creatures and many others!

Humpback Whales are the most common whales found out of Santa Cruz from summer to early winter. Imagine seeing the "local" population of several hundred humpbacks that spend their winter months off the Mexican Coast before migrating to the central California coast.

Take this tour December through mid-February and you may be lucky enough to spot a Gray Whale migrating from the cold arctic waters of the Bering Sea to their winter calving grounds off the Baja Peninsula.

Killer Whales may also be seen on this tour however they can be quite unpredictable and therefore sightings are not guaranteed. The Minke Whale, Beaked Whale and the Fin Whale are also occasionally spotted on Monterey Bay but like Killer Whales, sightings of these less common whales are not guaranteed.

All trips are narrated and offer fascinating insight by knowledgeable crew.

FAQs

How close do we get to the whales?
Once spotted, the boats must stay back and maintain a respectful distance of a minimum of 100 yards then let the whale do what the whale wants. Sometimes they will be very friendly and approach the boat, at which time the engines are shut down.

Can I touch or swim with the whales?
Unfortunately, no. You are there to observe and learn. Besides, the water is too cold!

What types of food and beverages are served in the full-service galley?
You can purchase a variety of food and beverage items at the galley. For lunch/dinner, the selection includes cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, quesadillas, cold-cut sandwiches, chips, popcorn, and candy. The drink selection includes soda, bottled water, beer, and wine.

I am planning on eating in the full service galley, how much money should I bring?
Approximately $15.00 should cover the cost of your lunch, as well as some wine or beer.

Can I bring my own food and/or beverages?
Yes. You can bring your own food and beverages, but outside alcohol cannot be brought onto the boat. Please limit your cooler size to less than 20 inches. Beer and wine are available for purchase in the full service galley.

Is there a bathroom on the boat?
Yes, there is a restroom on the boat.

What should I wear?
Warm layered clothing and rubber soled shoes are best. It is always much cooler on the ocean than on land, so it is better to be over dressed than under dressed. Once you become comfortable you can always peel a layer off. If rain is in the forecast, a poncho or raincoat may be necessary.

Will I get seasick?
Hopefully not, that can't be predicted. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, it's advisable to seek medical assistance for a solution.

Where does my trip end?
Your trip will end in the exact place that it starts from.

Where will we be going?
In the winter, the boat follows the gray whale migration routes. During the summer, the whales are active 8-10 miles off the shore.

Is the boat safe?
Absolutely. In addition to modern safety equipment (EPIRB, Life Floats, Life Jackets, etc.) the vessels are constantly maintained and inspected twice a year by the United States Coast Guard, a Division of Homeland Security.

Are there life jackets on the boat?
Yes, there are life jackets for every adult and child on board. The location of the jackets is clearly posted and verbally announced by the skipper.

Do I have to wear the life jacket?
No. You may choose to wear a life jacket if you feel you need one.

Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
The boat is not wheelchair accessible, however, everything that can be done to accommodate customer with disabilities will be. There are stairs leading the way to the entrance of the boat, so if you're willing to allow the crew to help you up the stairs, they will gladly do so.

How early should I arrive to check in before my trip?
Please arrive half an hour before your trip begins. Remember to take traffic into account when making your plans, which is much heavier during the weekends and in the afternoons.

Is there shade on the boat?
Yes. Indoor seating and awnings are available if you need to get out of the sunlight.

Will there be room on the boat to stow my belongings?
There is a limited amount of space on the boat for your personal belongings. Please keep your coolers under 20 inches in length. Out of respect for your fellow passengers, please keep your personal items to a minimum.

Tour Advisory

• No pregnant women
• No children under 4
• No outside alcohol may be brought on board
• All trips are weather and sea permitting; trip may be canceled due to severe weather
• Captain reserves the right to substitute boat with like amenities

Weather Policy

Tour may be canceled due to severe weather. The tour usually runs in light rain and other moderate weather conditions, but may be canceled up to an hour before the start time in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. If the tour is canceled, you will be allowed to reschedule or be refunded.

Safety Policy

For safety reasons, children ages 3 and younger are not allowed on this trip. Pregnant women are not advised to attend due to the inherent motion of the boat and safety precautions. If you are pregnant and would like to attend anyway, you must first consult with your doctor.

Tour does not operate July 4, November 26, December 24, 25 and 31

Testimonials

"The crew did a good job keeping us informed about the whales. Once they spotted a pod they stayed running parallel to it for about 30 minutes. They could have cut the viewing time shorter, but they could sense the enthusiasm of the viewers and so continued the run!" - Jeannie

"It was a great day. We saw several whales and got some good pictures. The boat captain was very informative about the whales and got us up very close. I would recommend this trip to anyone." - Deb J.

"The crew was friendly and helpful, our captain was knowledgeable about subject (whales, sea lions, sea otters, etc), facilities were clean." - Meg B.

72 HOURS MINIMUM ADVANCED BOOKING REQUIRED. Tour does not include hotel pick-up. Child rate applies to ages 4 to 14. For safety reasons, children ages 3 and younger are not allowed on this trip. Please reserve online or call us toll-free at 800-510-7261.