Tours and Tickets
Monterey Whale Watching Tour
4.5
BEST SELLER

Monterey Whale Watching Tour

By Princess Monterey Whale Watching
Recommended by 90% of travelers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
About
from
$65.00
per adult

Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 3-100, max of 140 per group
Duration: 2–3 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
English
Features animals


  • Restroom on board
What's not included
  • We cannot take kids under 3 or pregnant women on our trips
  • Soda/Pop
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Snacks
  • VIP upper deck seating optional upgrade $20 per person at check in if space is available


Departure details
  • 96 Fishermans Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940, USA PARKING INSTURCTIONS-GPS ADDRESSES TO PARKING AREAS WATERFRONT LOT 245 WASHINGTON ST. MONTEREY HERITAGE HARBOR PARKING GARAGE 99 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY You will walk down the wharf with the shops and restaurants, we are the yellow building toward the end of the wharf.
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point

  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 362397P1

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Can not take children under 3 years of age
  • Most travelers can participate
  • Can not take pregnant women on our trips
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 140 travelers

  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

A note from Monterey Whale Watching Tour
  • Your health is our top priority, and we have put special measures in place to keep all guests safe both during and after your activity.
What you can expect during your visit
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Contactless payment for gratuities and add-ons
  • Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.

How much is Monterey Whale Watching Tour?
Monterey Whale Watching Tour price starts from $65.00. Discover and book Monterey Whale Watching Tour on Tripadvisor
What is the Monterey Whale Watching Tour cancellation policy?
Monterey Whale Watching Tour cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Monterey Whale Watching Tour on Tripadvisor
Which company provides Monterey Whale Watching Tour?
Monterey Whale Watching Tour is hosted by Princess Monterey Whale Watching. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Princess Monterey Whale Watching on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Monterey Whale Watching Tour on Tripadvisor
How much time do I need for Monterey Whale Watching Tour?
On average, this experience will take approximately 2h. Discover and book Monterey Whale Watching Tour on Tripadvisor

If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 362397P1

Reserve your spot

Similar experiences

Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    96 Fishermans Wharf
    96 Fishermans Wharf, Monterey, CA 93940, USA
    PARKING INSTURCTIONS-GPS ADDRESSES TO PARKING AREAS WATERFRONT LOT 245 WASHINGTON ST. MONTEREY HERITAGE HARBOR PARKING GARAGE 99 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY You will walk down the wharf with the shops and restaurants, we are the yellow building toward the end of the wharf.
    See address & details
  • 1
    Monterey Bay
    Stop: 3 hours
    As one of the only places in the world to whale watch year-round, Monterey Bay is abundant with a huge diversity of sea life, and is at the top of many things to do in Monterey. As a protected marine sanctuary rich with nutrients, the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon thrives with a bounty of breathtaking wildlife including Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Gray Whales, Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Risso Dolphins, Long Beaked Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Dall’s Porpoise, Mola Mola aka Ocean Sunfish, Jellyfish, Sea Turtles, Sea Lions, Pelicans, Sea Otters and so much more! Board the 2 largest boats in the Monterey fleet the 110ft. Princess Monterey and the 100ft Atlantis Monterey. Limited VIP upper deck seating optional upgrade for an additional charge of $20 per person at time of check in if space is available.
    Read more
  • You'll return to the starting point
+
About the operator
Princess Monterey Whale Watching
2,825
Monterey, California

#8 of 29 Boat Tours & Water Sports in Monterey
  • PepperPikeMom
    PepperPikeMom
    0
    0
    Princess Whale Watching is Fantastic!
    This is run by some great people - from check in to the people on the boat - all were fun, helpful and wanted us to have a great experience. Definitely bring layers -it is COLD out there. We went in July and it is windy and cold out on the ocean. The larger boat (bigger than the other companies) really was nice and had a great indoor seating area to warm up and just relax (along with snacks/coffee/hot chocolate to purchase). We followed the advice of others and took some Dramamine that morning - no problems for any of my family of five. We followed one whale for a bit too long, but then they moved to another area and we saw some more humpbacks. It's nature, so no guarantees on what you will see, so I think it's important to go into your trip accepting that and just enjoy the adventure. Great experience!
  • luvt0teach
    luvt0teach
    0
    0
    Fantastic morning!
    There were large ocean swells yesterday morning but the Princess Monterey is a large boat with a good captain, both of which minimize the roller coaster ride (my 3-year-old grandson did raise both of his arms in the air). And we saw dolphins, humpbacks and ORCAS! It was so great! My husband took the photo below with his cell phone; no special zoom lens. Such a terrific morning! Two things of note: 1) even if it feels warm at the dock, be ready for cold wind…I wore many layers including double jackets and wished I had gloves 2) even though the ship is large, you may want to consider taking Dramamine Now, go WHALE WATCHING!!!
  • 956adriann
    956adriann
    0
    0
    We got to see whales
    What it says on the label. Whale watching. Obviously nature has its own rules so you’ll never know what you are going to get. For us we’re privileged to see a pod of dolphins before moving out to see several whales at various locations. Before the trip I’d been warned of sea sickness and as it happens I hadn’t been feeling too good before booking it that morning after our flight. So I purchased their wrist straps to prevent sickness. Do they work? Well I was fine the whole trip. Others weren’t so lucky and fed the fish from the back of the boat. Expect the sea to be choppy, use what you need to prevent it and go and see those beautiful whales.
  • gunnerfromoslo
    gunnerfromoslo
    0
    0
    Great day watching whales
    We recently chose this company for a whale watching tour on the Atlantis Monterey. None of our party had done this before so we took preventative seasickness medication. It either worked or we weren't predisposed to seasickness. The seas that day were very heavy and we were glad we were on the Atlantis. You should know that there are no guarantees of seeing whales. This company goes where they were previously spotted and watches for spouts. We were extremely lucky that day and experienced two breeches, which were awesome. We also saw Risso and white sided dolphins in the approximately 2.5 hours we were out there. Overall experience was really great and I recommend them. Obviously, they don't control whether or not there are whale sightings and I can see why other reviewers were disappointed by no sightings.
  • Relax781704
    Relax781704
    0
    0
    Nice Trip but few whales to be seen.
    Princess Monterey staff was friendly and helpful. Their ship (Atlantis) was perfect for the whale tour. Just disappointed there were at least five ships gathered around the same spot to see a single whale jump out of the water. Need more whales.
  • Southtraveller27
    Southtraveller27
    0
    0
    Disappointing- hardly saw any whales inn3 hours
    Don’t bet your money on this. Today on 26th we took the 3.30 sunset tour. Just saw back of a whale once in 3 hours. Booked this tour after looking at reviews. But I guess whales coming out depends on lot if factors. Book if you are ok loosing the money by taking the chances
  • E5228NNmm
    E5228NNmm
    0
    0
    wallowing in the swells
    How to get half of the passengers sea sick. Stop the boat so the boat is wallowing in the swells rather than steering into them and taking them head on. No whales sighted, but the crew repeatedly say that they are there at the 2 o'clock position. Passengers ordered not to stand near the bow while underway. Worst boating experience ever.
  • Camper816521
    Camper816521
    0
    0
    Sightings galore!
    What an awesome experience! We had at least 20 or more sightings of humpbacks, which we were hoping to see. A large group of sea lions, some pelicans, and cormorants were also sighted, The marine biologist aboard was great at keeping us informed as to where the sightings were occurring, so we would not miss them, and sharing his knowledge of the species we were seeing. The captain and crew did their best to enhance our whale watching experience; trying to locate the whales and move the boat in the direction of sighted whales. The sea was choppy on the day we went. We sat up front on the lower deck and in our opinion that was the best spot. There was a chance of getting wet but it was minimal to none on this day. We failed to get breaching pics (we were not fast enough with the camera) but did manage to get some tail flukes. There were snacks and drinks for purchase. There is an inside seating area if you get too cold, but the best viewing is outside. Always hold onto something when walking about the boat. DEFINITELY dress in layers. It was a bit cold toward the end of the tour. Beanies and gloves are a good idea, just in case. We took a backpack with extra jackets, hats, gloves. There are restrooms aboard.
  • Bobbi W
    Bobbi W
    0
    0
    Excellent trip
    This was an awesome trip. We saw two humpback whales feeding with a large group of sea lions after only 10 minutes out in the bay. It was almost a let down when you expect to spend time searching for them as we have on other tours. We watched them for a long time and then traveled further out and saw another two whales traveling. Not much action there, so we headed back to see the feeding ones again and got very close to them.
  • 916cher
    916cher
    0
    0
    Exciting experience
    We enjoyed our experience. The boat was large and felt safe. I recommend the VIP pass for upper deck access and Dramamine an hour before the trip. The Dramamine made us very sleepy. Next time I’ll bring a caffeinated drink.
  • G8734ZLamberd
    G8734ZLamberd
    0
    0
    Great Whale Watch
    They did a fantastic job informing guests about the sea life we were viewing and thankfully we had a great viewing of humpback whales, porpoise and sea lions. Amanda and Amber were awesome engaging with my three year old. Had a wonderful experience and would recommend, as well as revisit.
  • shelleyjenni
    shelleyjenni
    0
    0
    Our experience was fantastic!
    Weather was great, boat was awesome, naturalist was informative and they even took us out further so that we could see a pod of Orcas! Also, saw 12 humpback whales, dolphins and porpoises, too!
  • coled2021
    coled2021
    0
    0
    Plenty of sea life!
    It was a great time! We saw a bunch of dolphins and seals. Probably saw 6 or 7 humpback whales as well. Two of them even swam under the boat.
  • lindafH5218JK
    lindafH5218JK
    0
    0
    Great trip
    The crew was exceptional, great trip, saw whales, dolphins and the boat was very clean. Also the crew was very knowledgeable about the whales and marine life.
  • tombF5642TD
    tombF5642TD
    0
    0
    You Cant Bbeat Them.
    Everything from the ordering of online tickets to the boarding of the boat and the professionalism of the crew was first class. Boat was large, clean and comfortable. All of the crew was knowledgeable, friendly and helpful before during and after the trip. My wife and son both took a different company tour a few years ago and they had a rough ride back then, They both commented on much better the enjoyed the experience this time.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions

4.5
71 reviews
Excellent
53
Very good
11
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
5

mark
Ballymena, UK5 contributions
Hi went out this morning 0900 only seen whales in the distance the season must be over. The boat was crawling back he took 1 hour to get us back should have been looking for whales 90 dollars is a rip off . I went on trip on Monday with go whales.com and seen plenty off whales .
Written November 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sorry to hear you did not see any whales on the day you were out with us. The whales are unpredictable and we can assure you we do everything possible to find them and provide our guests the best trip possible. I am happy to hear you had a chance to see them the next day.
Written December 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Graham N
7 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
Whilst it was unlucky that poor weather meant the trip was cancelled, it is unacceptable that over a week has now passed without refund or any response to my asking when I will get my money back. Incidentally, reservation is not free as claimed as there is a one dollar credit check payment. Very disappointing all round.
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello Graham, We are sorry the trip was canceled due to bad weather. Sometimes our booking systems are slow, I will pass your comments to management. We certainly do not want this to happen again.
Written December 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Christinetat
Greater Manchester, United Kingdom50 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
Don’t bother with this company…very poor customer service. We went on the sunset trip which was a joke. Within 30 mins we was in the mist and saw nothing. We then reach the area where the whales were supposed to be…we could hardly see anything at all we spent 20 mins there with nothing. We then headed back with the staff saying plenty of water going back so look out for wildlife …it was by then virtually pitch black !!!! He went full speed ahead back which then made our grandson sick 😡. When we got back to shore they did offer vouchers for another trip which we could not do due to the fact we was leaving in the morning wasn’t an option for us. We had paid €400 for the trip and asked if they would be willing for part refund which was point blank refused !!! No other company in the pier offer this cruise and now we know why 😡😡😡. A total rip off.
Written August 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm so sorry to hear the Sunset trip was a disappointment for you. Most companies do offer a Sunset cruise, particularly in the summer months when the sunsets are absolutely beautiful. The ocean and the whales can be a bit unpredictable sometimes, we do offer the vouchers and apologize that you were not able to use yours.
Written October 21, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Ali W
Lakeland, FL6 contributions
Nice tour. Professional crew. Saw a few whales poking up but that’s how nature goes. It was a beautiful day on the water. I’m not sure how it works but it felt like the captain kept steering away from our view. Also, not quite a fan of the $40 up charge just go upstairs. Probably would’ve made sense on a full cruise, maybe, but in all honesty, you’re not getting anything extra from what we could tell.
Written December 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review. We do have great crew & the best boats in Monterey! Many people enjoy the view from the upper deck. Sorry to hear you were disappointed in that repect.
Written December 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

LeeDavidson18
Wirral, UK39 contributions
It's been a long term wish of my wife to see a whale. We've tried in the Caribbean with no luck. This tour office is situated right at the end
of the Monterey fishermans wharf. The reception staff were friendly, helpful and informative. At this time of year, November, there was no need to book in advance, but we did as we were so keen. 2 options: top deck with access to bottom as well (more expensive), or just bottom deck. I'd recommend top deck, more open and easier to move side to side. We saw 3 Humpback whales, the wife was exctatic. Take sea sick pills though, it a bit rolling! An amazing trip. Saw sea Otter and sealion too. Recommended
Written November 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you & your wife had a great time! Thank you so much for coming out with us and sharing your experience!
Written December 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Thomas R
2 contributions
Great tour...saw numerous whales. Wish we could've been a little closer but still an awesome site. I would highly recommend Princess Tour to anyone who has never done this type of excursion.
The crew was friendly and knowledgeable.
Written April 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Thomas for coming out with us and for your review and recommendation! We hope to see you again sometime 🐳
Written May 4, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Beth Anne L
3 contributions
Jul 2023
Whale watches are hit or miss. This one was a miss for me. We chose this company since they have the larger boats in the area. The seas were very rough. I imagine it would have been worse on the smaller boats so the negative experience is not the fault of the company although a heads up about the conditions would have been appreciated. I guess we should have asked before boarding. The slow ramble being tossed around by the waves while following a few humpback whales is the point where people started to get sick. The guy right next to me on the crowded side of the boat threw up. I may have gotten vomit on my jacket...I'm not even sure. I moved to the empty side of the boat and at that point was also sick. I observed several people people throwing up. I have been on several whale watches off of Cape Cod and none have had such rough seas. Maybe that's just the nature of the Pacific and I was not aware. For reference you could not move around the boat without holding on to a railing or you were gonna go down for sure. Reading all the amazing reviews just makes me sad because this was such a terrible experience for me...not sure I'll get on a boat again let alone a whale watch.
Written August 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So sorry to hear you had a rough day at sea. The weather can get bad sometimes in Monterey and we certainly do like to hear that people get sick. We do sell motion sickness pills in our shop but I'm sure they don't always help everyone. I do hope you will get on a boat again sometime, it can be an amazing experience with wildlife.
Written August 4, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Journey135233
3 contributions
Oct 2022
Spent a week in the San Jose area. We planned for at least one whale cruise and ended up taking two (luckily) on the Atlantis Monterey.

The first was successful but the weather was very foggy so it was, at times, hard to make out the whales.

Weather was superb on the second one and we got to see a gray whale, Risso's dolphins and had a FANTASTIC close-up encounter with some friendly and curious humpbacks that played around the stern of the boat for quite awhile! Crew was excellent (as always) and really recommend the upper deck option. Thanks for a great experience!!
Written October 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
That is fantastic! The friendly whales are the best!!! Thank you so much for your review & coming out with us. Hope to see you again!
Written December 28, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Linda C
1 contribution
Jun 2023
The boat was very clean./ The staff was friendly. They went out of their way to accommodate the passengers who were VERY sea sick. So bring your sea sick pill or Ginger pills or diamine prior to your ship time. We definitely saw three whales during the trip which is about 3 hours. It doesn't seem like 3 hrs. with all the activity. The narrator was very informative and at times funny. It was well worth the visit.
Written July 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Linda! We are happy you were able to see whales on your trip! Thank you for joining us 🐳
Written July 5, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Albert C
2 contributions
Feb 2023
While I was very disappointed that my whale watching tour was cancelled because of treacherous gale force winds... it was the right thing! I booked through Trip Advisor and initially they did not want to process a refund. Finally they did fully refund all monies. Kudos to Gino for intervening. When my guest returns in September from the Netherlands we will give this one more try. This time I will go directly through Princess Whale Watching tours. A sincere thank you for your help, Customer service goes a long way these days!
Written February 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The weather has been crazy, sorry we had to cancel that trip. Thank you for your review, glad Gina was able to resolve the issue for you! We look forward to seeing you & your guest this September! It's a great time to whale watch.
Written March 11, 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Monterey Whale Watching Tour provided by Princess Monterey Whale Watching

Product Overview: Monterey Whale Watching Tour

Prices From$65
Number of Reviews63
Number of Photos55