Whale Watching in Monterey

Enjoy Whale Watching off of the Coast of Monterey During this Three Hour Adventure

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About This Experience Gift

  • 3 Hour Whale Watching Tour Aboard the Princess Monterey
  • Grey, Blue & Humpback Whales, Dolphins, Porpoises, Seals & More
  • Narrated Tour With Either a Marine Biologists or Naturalists Onboard

Discover the unforgettable adventure of whale watching on one of Monterey's largest and most elegant vessels!

During this 2½ to 3 hour, fully narrated tour, you have the opportunity to see: Gray Whale Migration (Dec - Apr): A few miles from the coast, the Gray Whale Highway runs along the third deepest submarine canyon in the world.  Blue and Humpback Whales (Apr - Nov): Rich feeding areas are home to a variety of summer whales, such as Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), and mighty Blue Whales (the largest animal to inhabit the earth). Dolphins and Porpoises, found year-round looking for food or just playing in the bay. Leatherback Sea Turtles, the largest living turtles weighing 441-1543 lbs; as well as Sea birds, Seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and other Marine Life.

You’ll be accompanied by the Captain, crew, and a knowledgeable biologist/naturalist, all with years of experience on the Monterey Bay. Every trip is different, so whether it's your first time or you're a veteran, go out and see what the magical Monterey Bay will reveal!

Where to Go for Whale Watching Experiences in San Francisco

  • Monterey, California

Group Size and Spectator Info

Participants
The Whale Watching In Monterey Experience Gifts Certificate is valid for one participant, unless additional participants are added onto the certificate. You will be joined by additional participants on the ship.

Guests
This experience is not suitable for non-paying guests or spectators.

When can you book Whale Watching in Monterey

OPEN CURRENTLY CLOSED

The Whale Watching In Monterey Experiences are offered seven days a week year-round, subject to availability. Trips begin at 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM.

How Long Is The Whale Watching in Monterey

The Whale Watching Tours In Monterey typically have a length of 2½ to 3 hours.

Does Weather Impact Whale Watching Experiences

The Whale Watching In Monterey Experience may be rescheduled by the Captain due to high winds, heavy rain, fog or other inclement weather.

What to Wear for Whale Watching Experiences

Dress comfortably, warm layers, long pants, and a warm windproof jacket are recommended as it gets chilly on the water. Flat, non-marking rubber-soled shoes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen are also recommended for this open water adventure.

What To Know Before You Go

Your experience will take place on one of the largest whale watching vessels in Monterey, The Princess Monterey or the Atlantis Monterey, 100 ft, high speed vessels that comfortably rides up to 150 people. You'll enjoy spacious indoor and outdoor seating, a heated cabin, and large windows for viewing. Beverages and snacks are available on the boat from the snack bar but are not included in the price of the cruise. You are welcome to bring any food or drinks of your own that you would like to enjoy.

Participation in the trip is limited to adults and children over 4 years of age. Individuals who are pregnant, have broken bones or other physical conditions which are considered unsafe are not eligible to participate. All participants must sign a US Coast Guard passenger registry prior to boarding. Parents or guardians must sign for children.

ITEM/SKU NUMBER: XD-845-002

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Reservation And Cancelation Policy

Changes to reservations for the Whale Watching In Monterey Experience cannot be made once the date of this Experience is reserved.

Xperience Certificates® cannot be exchanged once a reservation for the experience has been made.

The coast of California is well known for its stunningly scenic ocean drives, white sandy beaches, bronzed bodies, and breath-taking sunsets. But, did you also know that a few mere miles from the shores of Monterey Bay you’ll find the Monterey Canyon? With a depth and underwater landscape to mirror that of the Grand Canyon, this marine National Park is home to a myriad of weird, wonderful and downright incredible wildlife.

But today I wasn’t here to see just any old fish, I was on a mission to find one of nature’s most majestic creatures of all…you guessed it, the whale. Despite the extreme fog, and the obligatory warning that sightings can never be 100% guaranteed, I embarked on my journey with a good feeling…and I wasn’t to be disappointed!

Having booked onto a morning sail, I arrived at the famous Old Fisherman’s Wharf before the hustle and bustle of harbor life had finished it’s breakfast… strolling along the misty promenade, I made my way to the instantly recognizable yellow hut, and was welcomed by the Princess Monterey Whale Watching Crew.

Once we’d all checked in and signed the visitor register, we climbed aboard arguably the ‘finest’ vessel in Monterey, the 100ft ‘Greatland’. On a busy Saturday afternoon, during peak season, the Greatland is known to carry close to one hundred whale watchers in a single trip, but on a foggy morning such as it was, the first departure of the day wasn’t far from empty…but that simply meant more viewing space for us!

With my zoom lens at the ready and my hoodie zipped up to the very top, I was rearing to go. Before the boat had even left the harbor, we were greeted with the sounds of barking California Sea Lions lounging on the marina wall, and were able to capture a few shots before they disappeared through the mist…not a bad start. But this only made me greedy for more!

Once we had headed out to the edge of the Monterey Canyon (approximately 30 minutes from the harbor), the voice of our fabulous narrator, Gina came over the speaker, asking us to keep our eyes and ears peeled for any sign of movement in the water – despite her 15 years of experience, even the well-trained eye needs a little help every now and then! After 10 minutes or so of floating around in the sea spray, straining to distinguish ripple from fin, Gina gave us the announcement we were waiting for… ”WHALE AT THREE O’CLOCK

Clambering to the edge of the boat to get a good viewing spot, whilst scrambling to get my camera ready, I was almost overcome with excitement. And sure enough, there it was, sending a tell-tale blast of water into the air. Not only were we watching a whale, but a Blue Whale – the largest animal ever known to have lived! As if things couldn’t get any better, one of our friendly visitors treated us to another rare spectacle…a tale fluke before the long dive! With only around 10% of Blue Whales ever learning to (or choosing to) fluke, I felt incredibly lucky to witness such a special event. Despite sadly missing out on the Humpback Whales and dolphins, I am delighted to be able to say that during my trip with Princess Monterey Whale Watching, I had the honor of seeing not one, not two, but a massive total of FIVE Blue Whales! Bucket list moment complete!

The local wildlife changes seasonally, so if there is a certain creature that you are particularly interested in, then be sure to check the migration seasons. But with Princess Monterey Whale Watching, you’re pretty much guaranteed an amazing trip whatever time of year you visit…just remember to pack a jacket!

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