California, United States
Monterey Bay offers year-round whale sightings due to a deep submarine canyon. Visitors take guided boat tours to spot humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales, and orcas.
4.7 from 1,655 traveller reviews on Viator & GetYourGuide
Tickets & tours
Compare standard harbor departures, budget options, and specialized trips.
Most bookedEmbark on a 4-hour whale watching tour. All trips are narrated by a naturalist or marine biologist guide, who will also spend one on one time with guests while on deck....
Best valueThe longest running whale watching company on Monterey Bay. We have 3 boats ranging in size from 53’ to 70’. All boats are USCG inspected and approved with indoor...
Monterey Bay is one of the greatest places in the world to find whales and with the added bonus of a sunset viewing in the summer/fall months, you can't go wrong! Each...
Explore
Discover departure points and seasonal marine life.
3 spotsWhere to BoardThe main hubs where visitors board vessels to explore the bay.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
4 spotsWhales and SeasonsDifferent species visit the bay throughout the year.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsOn-Shore SightingsWatch sea lions, sea otters, and migrating whales from the coastline.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
Federal law requires all vessels to stay at least 300 feet (100 yards) away from whales.
Marine wildlife protection rules
Plan your visit
Standard tours last 2.5 to 4 hours. Extended specialty trips searching for orcas last 8 to 12 hours.
Tours run year-round. Visit in summer for blue whales or winter for migrating gray whales.
Park at the Waterfront Lot at 245 Washington St. It costs $2 per hour or $14 daily.
Half-day tours typically cost $60 to $80 for adults. Kids' tickets average $40 to $55.
Monterey Bay is a premier destination for spotting marine mammals. A deep submarine canyon funnels nutrient-rich water close to shore. This upwelling supports diverse marine life across the 6,094-square-mile sanctuary.
Tours depart primarily from Old Fisherman's Wharf. You can see humpback whales feeding from March through November. Migrating gray whales pass near the shore between December and April.
Read our guide on Best Time to Go to target specific species. If you want to view marine life from land, check out the On-Shore Sightings.
We detail boat capacities, from large 110-foot cruisers to small 6-passenger charters.
We distinguish between 3-hour standard trips and all-day specialty searches.
We highlight tours narrated by marine biologists or expert naturalists.
From Viator
1,655 reviews of the classic whale watching on Viator & GetYourGuide
Small boats but that means you’re close to the action. Went miles out looking for whales, saw 2 pods of humpbacks and 2 groups of dolphin
Maddie, Ryan and Capt JJ knew their stuff! From finding 5 different humpback whales and hundreds of dolphins, to helping us understand why Monterey is such a hub for whales to making sure hot chocolate was available to all that asked, they made our 4 hour trip fly by and left us wanting more.!
Very nice experience but it’s 50/50 chance to see whales or dolphins. We had the unforgettable experience to watch hundreds of dolphins swimming along the boat ! It was surreal 💙🐬🌊
Great whale-watching experience. Fun, informative, safe. Crew was great. Would be happy to go again sometime.
What a AMAZING Experience!!! Saw multiple humpback whales and literally thousands of Dolphins!! Breaching Giants!!!
This was a great experience! The crew was well organized, and we were thrilled with the wildlife we saw. They also provide a good number of digital photos for free - awesome.
Exellent trip. Whales came right up to the boat. Would highly recommend.
Having directions on where to go once you get to the address would’ve been very helpful. We found it by asking around. The trip itself was great. We saw whales and sea lions and birds and learned about that ecosystem and it was just a super fun time. The crew was great.
Staff are friendly and the weather was beautiful. Such a wonderful and calming experience. Otters✔️ sea lions ✔️ sun✔️ giant kelp✔️
Travel tips
Best Time to GoFind the best season for gray, humpback, blue, and killer whales.Read 
Tour Price GuideCompare standard half-day tickets with specialty all-day orca tours.Read 
What to WearLayer up for cold ocean breezes and bright sun glare.Read 
Monterey vs Moss LandingCompare departure points for your boat trip.Read 
Prevent SeasicknessPractical tips to prevent motion sickness on your Monterey boat tour.Read 
Whale Watching KidsAge limits, boat choices, and tips for taking children on the water.Read Tours run year-round with a 90% sighting success rate. July and August are peak months for humpback and blue whales. December through April is best for migrating gray whales.
You can spot humpback, blue, gray, and killer whales (orcas). You may also see dolphins, sea otters, and diverse marine birds.
Standard tours last 2.5 to 4 hours. Extended specialty tours looking for killer whales can last 8 to 12 hours.
Adult tickets for half-day tours range from $60 to $80. Children's tickets cost $40 to $55. Specialty full-day tours cost $150 to $200 or more.
Motion sickness is common due to ocean swells. Take medication 30 to 60 minutes before your tour. Read our advice on how to Prevent Seasickness.
We do not name a single best company, as it depends on your preferences. Some offer larger, stable boats, while others provide intimate 6-passenger charters. Review the options on our Tickets page.
Book your tickets early, especially during peak summer months.
