Monterey Whale Watching Tour: 2-3 Hours, 99% Success Rate

Monterey Bay stays warm enough to watch whales year-round, which is rare on the California coast.

A whale watching tour in Monterey Bay aboard one of two large, heated boats with indoor and outdoor seating, led by a marine biologist or naturalist. The 2-3 hour trip covers the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, where humpback, blue, gray and killer whales appear alongside dolphins, sea lions and sea otters. The 99% success rate reflects consistent marine life sightings across seasons.

Step-by-step itinerary

Monterey Bay whale watching tour

• Board the Princess Monterey or Atlantis Monterey
• Enjoy heated cabins and 360-degree deck views
• Watch for whales and diverse marine wildlife
• Listen to narration by marine biologist
• Optional VIP upper deck seating upgrade

The experience

The boat leaves from Monterey Bay and runs year-round, which matters because most whale watching on the California coast shuts down in winter. The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, a protected marine sanctuary, stays rich with nutrients and draws a rotating cast of species: humpback and blue whales in summer and fall, gray whales migrating in winter and spring, killer whales and sperm whales less predictably, plus dolphins, sea lions, sea otters, jellyfish and mola mola. A professional marine biologist or naturalist narrates what you're seeing, so the sightings connect to behavior and migration patterns instead of staying as moments.

You board one of the two largest boats in the Monterey fleet (the 110-foot Princess Monterey or the 100-foot Atlantis Monterey) both with heated cabins and large windows, so you stay warm and see clearly even when the bay turns rough. The deck wraps 360 degrees, meaning you can move around to follow the whales instead of staying fixed to one side. Indoor seating keeps you out of the wind. Outdoor seating puts you closer to the water and the spray. If you want the upper deck for a higher vantage point, VIP seating is available for an additional charge at check-in, space permitting.

Restrooms are on board. The trip runs 2 to 3 hours depending on where the whales are that day and how long the captain decides to stay with them. Public transportation reaches the departure point, so you don't need a rental car to get there.

What’s included

• Two to three hours on the water in a heated cabin with 360-degree deck access.
• narration by a professional marine biologist or naturalist.
• indoor and outdoor seating.
• onboard restrooms.

Information

Lasts 2h–3h, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 70 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday to Saturday: 09:00, 12:30 and 15:30Sunday: 09:00, 10:00, 12:30 and 15:30

GroupUp to 140

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Princess Monterey Whale Watching

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you're traveling with a group or family and want the comfort of a large, heated boat instead of a smaller open vessel. The 99% success rate and year-round operation mean you can whale watch in Monterey any season without betting on a single departure window.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What whales can I actually see on a Monterey Bay whale watching tour?

Humpback, blue, gray and killer whales all appear in Monterey Bay, along with sperm whales, Risso dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, long-beaked common dolphins and Dall's porpoise. The species you encounter depends on the season: humpbacks and blues peak in summer and fall, gray whales migrate through in winter and spring, and killer whales appear less predictably year-round.

How long does the Monterey whale watching tour take?

The tour runs 2 to 3 hours on the water. The exact length depends on where the whales are that day and how long the captain stays with them.

What makes the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon good for whale watching?

The Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon is a protected marine sanctuary rich with nutrients that draw a huge diversity of sea life. The canyon's depth and current patterns concentrate food sources, which is why whales and dolphins gather there year-round instead of seasonally like most California whale watching spots.

Will I stay warm and dry on the boat?

Both boats have heated cabins with large windows, so you can watch from inside if the weather turns rough. The deck has both indoor and outdoor seating, and you can move between them during the trip to find the comfort level that suits you.

What's included in the whale watching tour price?

The tour includes the boat ride, narration from a marine biologist or naturalist, and access to restrooms on board. VIP upper deck seating is available for an additional $20 per person at check-in if space is available.