Los Angeles Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise 2-Hour Tour

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

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Duration2h–2h 30m

GroupUp to 250

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Two hours on the water searching for migrating whales and dolphins off the LA coast.

A two-hour whale and dolphin watching cruise departing from West Harbor in Los Angeles, where expert educators from the Aquarium of the Pacific narrate sightings of migrating whales, dolphins, sea lions and other marine life from custom-built catamarans with over 30 years of crew expertise. If no sealife appears, you get a free voucher to return. The boat passes the San Pedro Fish Market, the World Cruise Center shipping terminals, and the Aquarium itself from the water.

2h–2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

Whale and dolphin watching cruise

Depart from West Harbor
Pass Port of Los Angeles
Pass commercial shipping terminal
Pass West Harbor waterfront
See San Pedro Fish Market
View Los Angeles and Long Beach Ports
Pass lighthouse on man-made wall
See Aquarium of the Pacific from water
Spot migrating whales and dolphins
Learn from Aquarium educators
Return to West Harbor

The Experience

The cruise leaves West Harbor and heads into the Pacific to track migrating whales and search for dolphins and sea lions. You'll pass the busiest port in the world—the Port of Los Angeles—with its shipping containers and commercial terminals, then move along the waterfront where the San Pedro Fish Market sits at the water's edge. The boat itself is built for stability; Harbor Breeze runs custom catamarans with ultra-quiet, low-emission engines designed so the whales and their environment stay undisturbed. Inside seating is climate controlled with multiple restrooms, and outside decks give you open water views.

An expert educator from the Aquarium of the Pacific narrates everything you encounter, drawing on over 30 years of whale-watching experience from the crew. The live commentary covers the marine life, the port infrastructure you're passing, and the landmarks—including the lighthouse built on the second-largest man-made wall in the world, and the Aquarium itself viewed from the water. A captivating MC keeps the energy moving throughout the tour.

If no sealife surfaces during your cruise, you receive a free voucher to return and try again. The boat accommodates wheelchairs and strollers; infants ride on an adult's lap. Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard. You can upgrade to include entry to the USS Iowa Battleship Museum, where you walk the decks at your own pace and explore naval history through interactive exhibits.

What’s included

Inside and outside seating with climate control.
multiple restrooms.
live English narration from Aquarium of the Pacific educators with over 30 years of whale-watching experience.
custom-built catamarans with exceptional stability and comfort.
passage past the World Cruise Center, San Pedro Fish Market, and the Aquarium from the water.
a sealife guarantee—if no marine life is spotted, you receive a free voucher to return.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Harbor Breeze Cruises

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want expert narration and the stability of a larger catamaran; the ultra-quiet engines and the Aquarium educators' knowledge set the experience apart from smaller operator boats. If you're visiting the waterfront anyway, the optional USS Iowa upgrade lets you combine two attractions in one trip without separate transportation.