Nature and Wildlife Tours in Monterey & Carmel at a glance
- Our pick: Monterey Whale Watching Tour: 2-3 Hours, 99% Success Rate, US$ 70 per person (2h–3h, 4.67★ · 931).
- Top rated: Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Electric Catamaran Tour: Custom-built for local waters, US$ 45 per person (1h 30m, 4.91★ · 504).
- Best value: Monterey Bay Kayaking: Otters, Seals and Sea Lions, US$ 40 per person (2h, 4.75★ · 91).
Price per person across the 10 options priced per person: US$ 40–US$ 75 (median US$ 62). With 100+ reviews: 6 of 10.
Of the 10 options: 9 with live guides in English, 10 with free cancellation, 10 with instant confirmation, 8 kid-friendly and 10 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews, availability, booking conditions and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Price per person. “Top rated” = the highest score among options with at least 100 reviews.
Nature and Wildlife Tours in Monterey & Carmel
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
10 options
Monterey Whale Watching Tour: 2-3 Hours, 99% Success Rate Two to three hours watching humpback, blue and gray whales from one of Monterey Bay's two largest boats. Every day · 09:00, 10:00 and 12:30 · From age 3 ★ 4.67 (931 reviews) Duration: 2h–3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 70 per person
Monterey Bay Whale Watching from Moss Landing Whale watching tours from Moss Landing with marine biologist guides and guaranteed sightings, with less travel time to the Monterey Bay Canyon. Every day · 09:30 and 12:30 · From age 3 ★ 4.57 (403 reviews) Duration: 2h–3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 70 per person
Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour: 3-Hour Narrated Trip Whale watching tour on Monterey Bay with experienced captains and fully narrated commentary on a 3-hour boat trip. Indoor seating. Every day · 10:00 and 13:30 · All ages ★ 4.71 (620 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 62 per person
Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Electric Catamaran Tour: Custom-built for local waters Scan for otters, sea lions and birds on a 90-minute electric catamaran cruise through Elkhorn Slough from Moss Landing. Every day · 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00 and 15:00 ★ 4.91 (504 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 45 per person
3-Hour Whale Watching Tour from Monterey: Narrated by marine biologist Whale watching boat tour from Monterey with marine biologist guide and live commentary on board: learn to spot whales and dolphins while the crew Every day · 09:00 and 12:30 · All ages ★ 4.77 (243 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 75 per person
Afternoon Whale Watch: Monterey Bay, small group boat tour Three-hour whale watching tour in Monterey Bay on a smaller vessel with a marine biologist guide, coffee included, and one-on-one time with crew that larger boats can't match. Every day · 12:30 · All ages ★ 4.78 (194 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 75 per person
Monterey Bay Kayaking: Otters, Seals and Sea Lions Kayak rental in Monterey Bay with splash gear, dry bag and wildlife orientation: paddle out to see otters, seals and sea lions on the water. Every day · Every 1 h, 09:00 to 15:00 · From age 5 ★ 4.75 (91 reviews) Duration: 2h ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 40 per person
Monterey Bay Wetland Safari Boat Tour with Sea Otters Glide through Elkhorn Slough with a marine science naturalist, watching sea otters and over 300 bird species from a stable boat with free binoculars. Every day · 11:15 · From age 3 ★ 4.87 (63 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 46 per person
Point Lobos: Guided Nature Walk with Wildlife & History Step into Point Lobos with a local guide, walk cliffside trails, spot sea otters and seals, and hear stories of whalers and fishermen. Includes park entry and parking. Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun · 10:00 · From age 6 ★ 4.99 (92 reviews) Duration: 2h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 59 per person
Monterey: Sunset Whale Watch & Marine Wildlife Tour Whale watching in Monterey Bay with marine biologist narration and wildlife sightings. 2.5–3 hours, boat departs 66 Fishermans Wharf. Beer and wine available onboard. Tue · 12:30 · All ages ★ 4.76 (88 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from US$ 75 per person
All 10 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-14| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey Whale Watching Tour: 2-3 Hours, 99% Success RateOur pick | US$ 70 per person | 2h–3h | 4.67★ · 931 | Every day · 09:00, 10:00 and 12:30 | English |
| Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Electric Catamaran Tour: Custom-built for local watersTop rated | US$ 45 per person | 1h 30m | 4.91★ · 504 | Every day · 10:00, 11:00, 12:30, 14:00 and 15:00 | English |
| Monterey Bay Kayaking: Otters, Seals and Sea LionsBest value | US$ 40 per person | 2h | 4.75★ · 91 | Every day · Every 1 h, 09:00 to 15:00 | — |
| Monterey Bay Whale Watching from Moss Landing | US$ 70 per person | 2h–3h | 4.57★ · 403 | Every day · 09:30 and 12:30 | English |
| Monterey Bay Whale Watching Tour: 3-Hour Narrated Trip | US$ 62 per person | 3h | 4.71★ · 620 | Every day · 10:00 and 13:30 | English |
| 3-Hour Whale Watching Tour from Monterey: Narrated by marine biologist | US$ 75 per person | 3h | 4.77★ · 243 | Every day · 09:00 and 12:30 | English |
| Afternoon Whale Watch: Monterey Bay, small group boat tour | US$ 75 per person | 3h | 4.78★ · 194 | Every day · 12:30 | English |
| Monterey Bay Wetland Safari Boat Tour with Sea Otters | US$ 46 per person | 1h 30m | 4.87★ · 63 | Every day · 11:15 | English |
| Point Lobos: Guided Nature Walk with Wildlife & HistoryGroup of up to 14 | US$ 59 per person | 2h 30m | 4.99★ · 92 | Mon, Fri, Sat and Sun · 10:00 | English |
| Monterey: Sunset Whale Watch & Marine Wildlife Tour | US$ 75 per person | 3h | 4.76★ · 88 | Tue · 12:30 | English |
By what you need
- Small groups (up to 15) (1): Point Lobos: Guided Nature Walk with Wildlife & History (US$ 59 per person)