Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester
5
LIKELY TO SELL OUT*
Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester
By Cape Ann Whale Watch
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About
Optimize your chances of seeing whales in the wild on this catamaran cruise around the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Benefit from the insights of your professional guide as you sail between hotspots for humpbacks, dolphins, and more, and enjoy a choice of morning or afternoon departure to conveniently slot the family-friendly trip into your schedule.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 240 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Highlights
- Optimize chances of spotting wild whales on a guided tour
- Benefit from the expert knowledge of an on-board naturalist
- Choose a morning or afternoon departure to suit your schedule
- Absorb sweeping coastal views as you cruise by catamaran
Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best
2024
- Naturalist onboard
- Professional guide
- Full galley
What's not included- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Start:
- 415 Main St, Gloucester, MA 01930, USA
End:This activity ends back at the meeting 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: 7975P1- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please dress appropriately to current weather conditions
- Please arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your reservation in order to park, check in & board the vessel
- 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 240 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- 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: 7975P1
From
$48.00
per adult
Select date and travelers
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- judiths7760 contributionsGreat ExperienceAlthough cold with light rain (thankfully), we lucked out with sightings of multiple humpback whales. The expert narrator was very knowledgeable, informative in describing the activities, and knew the whales by their "names". The staff and crew were very helpful and kind as my elderly mom was with us. The captain knew where the feeding grounds were and made sure we got our fill. Be sure to catch the photographs of the animals in the lower level, and merch on the upper level and gift shop. (Didn't try the food and note all sales on board is cash.) Couldn't have asked for more on this whale excursion! TY very much!Written October 15, 2024
- Trip234681993970 contributionsGreat experienceNice large and fast whale watching boat, the crew were very knowledgeable and the captain was great at finding the whales in the area. Even though we at the end of the season before the humpbacks moved down to the Caribbean, we still got some great shots of ‘Clamp’.Written October 11, 2024
- mseifter0 contributionsA day on the seaMy wife and I had a great afternoon on the Hurricane II whale-watching. The trip was safe, enjoyable and informative. All the staff on the ship did a great job. My only suggestion would be for your staff to distribute life-jackets to the people before the ship leaves dock. Thanks again for a great cruise at sea.Written October 10, 2024
- meaganofmiller0 contributionsBreathtaking experienceThis was my first whale visitation. It was so magical and Im 100% going to return for more. The crew was awesome!Written October 8, 2024
- lillianrussell08040 contributionsCape Ann was very informativeThe views were beautiful, the staff was very friendly and super informative, we learned a lot while on our trip and got to see two whales hanging out with each other. I already can't wait for my next tour out. At the end they do a free ticket giveaway. There are four bathrooms. If you get hungry they have a cash only snack bar, it also has alcohol for those who would like to utilize that. Will definitely use them again in the future.Written October 4, 2024
- jdi2ro0 contributionsWhale Watch TripHad a great time, the crew was very friendly, knowledgeable and did a great job keeping everyone aware of where the look when a whale was spotted as well as assuring both sides of the boat had opportunity to see the whales. Look forward to going again next year.Written October 3, 2024
- angelicaperez770 contributionsFamily tripWe had a great time. We saw lots of whales. The crew was great. Plenty of sitting and standing room. Fun for the whole family.Written October 1, 2024
- Robert V0 contributionsIt's Whale WatchingThe crew was very knowledgeable. The captain was very courteous to other boaters as well a.s giving everyone a chance on his vessel to take plenty of videos and pictures of the whales 😁Written September 30, 2024
- Sightseer576175658490 contributionsReally the bestCape Ann Whale Watch really is the best out there. Their customer service is great, the staff are top notch and the whales are beautiful. Thank you!Written September 29, 2024
- cindyV1942CE0 contributionsIn the Whale Splash Zone :)It was a long, chilly ride out BUT the wait was worth it. We saw 2 humpback whales & it was a dream come true. Also saw some large tuna jumping out of the water & a huge shark. The whales stole the show of course. All of the employees were super friendly & informative!Written September 24, 2024
- GaelG870 contributionsAs always, an amazing afternoon on the waters5th time for us and we always use the same company, that should say something :-) They are professional and very kind. We were, again, lucky to see plenty of whales and dolphins. We will definitively come back again next year.Written September 24, 2024
- corbettjohn180 contributionsCape Whale WatchMy wife and I have traveled with you in the past and have had great trips. This one didn't disappoint. While I understand you have to go where the whales are, the long ride to Provincetown was unexpected. Once on the feeding grounds the whales,(Bounce and 3.14), were amazing to see. They dove multiple times so we could see their tail colorings an splashed their pectoral fins repeatedly as if waving to us. The captain maneuvered the boat so we could see them from different angles without disturbing them. The naturalist, (Nina?) was very informative and engaging. I will and have already recommended your tours to friends and family. We actually brought some friends with us on this trip and they were very impressed.Written September 21, 2024
- stlb9700 contributionsAwesome dayWe had a spectacular day. The crew was very helpful & informative. The tour was full of excitement. Would definitely do this againWritten September 20, 2024
- atkinsonholiday0 contributionsGreat experienceWe had a great time with the company. We had ongoing information throughout and you could see the staff looking out constantly for the whale areas. The boat felt safe and it kept a respectful distance from the whales. Loved it!!!Written September 20, 2024
- dreambeliever19750 contributionsOvercrowded & uncomfortableNot only was the ship overcrowded but the other visitors were very rude and pushy. I got knocked over and stepped on several times. I have no desire to ever try this againWritten September 19, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members 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.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
3,857 reviews
Excellent
3,373
Very good
336
Average
86
Poor
37
Terrible
25
Tina S
HOUSTON75 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
First I must say thank you to the worker her helped with my daughter who threw up several times and helped clean up around her. You probably don't get paid enough to deal with people's puke. If you want to see whales, you will see them on this trip. Be prepared to be patient and spend some time getting to the location. The reason for only 3 stars is we would have booked with another whale watching cruise had we known that smoking was allowed on this vessel. Dogs apparently are allowed too. Pets- not just assisting dogs. I find it odd, but whatever.
In the middle of the ocean, we started to smell the stench of cigarette smoke and saw that a customer mid boat was smoking amongst the crowd of people. I pulled a worker aside and asked if that was allowed. She said they could smoke but were suppose to be doing it at the back of the boat only. Lovely, our seats we had found were at the back of the boat. She asked the man and wife to go smoke at the back which brought them now right in front of us. It was somewhat bearable when the boat was moving with the wind carrying off the smell, but when the boat stopped for viewings we would be amid the nasty smell of cigarette smoke. They should have signs posted in the back of the boat showing that it is the smoking section. We would have never picked our seats to be there if we had known that section was reserved for smokers. (the boat was too crowded to find new seats once we were midway in the trip) They should also say that smoking is only allowed while the boat is in motion. Once it stopped for viewings, everyone in the upper and lower decks had to suffer with the smokers. My daughter is ultra sensitive to cigarette smoke. It brings on migraines and makes her sick. She eventually had to go inside to the inner cabin to escape it. While inside she started to get sea sick which lead to several throw up sessions. Basically, the trip was a bust and no enjoyment was found for her due to the smokers. Why? Why is smoking allowed? We had taken a sunset cruise with a different company a few days before and they had a strict policy of no smoking and vaping which makes sense when you have a crowd of people cramped into a vessel.
Advice for Cape Ann Whale Watch - please advertise and let people know ahead of time that smoking is allowed at the back of the boat. Post signs showing where smoking is allowed. Also, place on your website information about parking. We had a hard time finding that inf
In the middle of the ocean, we started to smell the stench of cigarette smoke and saw that a customer mid boat was smoking amongst the crowd of people. I pulled a worker aside and asked if that was allowed. She said they could smoke but were suppose to be doing it at the back of the boat only. Lovely, our seats we had found were at the back of the boat. She asked the man and wife to go smoke at the back which brought them now right in front of us. It was somewhat bearable when the boat was moving with the wind carrying off the smell, but when the boat stopped for viewings we would be amid the nasty smell of cigarette smoke. They should have signs posted in the back of the boat showing that it is the smoking section. We would have never picked our seats to be there if we had known that section was reserved for smokers. (the boat was too crowded to find new seats once we were midway in the trip) They should also say that smoking is only allowed while the boat is in motion. Once it stopped for viewings, everyone in the upper and lower decks had to suffer with the smokers. My daughter is ultra sensitive to cigarette smoke. It brings on migraines and makes her sick. She eventually had to go inside to the inner cabin to escape it. While inside she started to get sea sick which lead to several throw up sessions. Basically, the trip was a bust and no enjoyment was found for her due to the smokers. Why? Why is smoking allowed? We had taken a sunset cruise with a different company a few days before and they had a strict policy of no smoking and vaping which makes sense when you have a crowd of people cramped into a vessel.
Advice for Cape Ann Whale Watch - please advertise and let people know ahead of time that smoking is allowed at the back of the boat. Post signs showing where smoking is allowed. Also, place on your website information about parking. We had a hard time finding that inf
Written July 16, 2021
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.
Dear Tina S,
Thank you for your review. We appreciate and acknowledge all of the feedback that we receive from customers. With that being said, as of today - July 20, 2021 - we no longer allow smoking on board and service animals will be the only animal allowed on board. We value and respect each and every customer, so I am hopeful you may have a better experience if you are able to join us again in the future.
Kind regards,
Capt. Jim Douglass
Owner
Written July 20, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Darlyne J
Granby, CT319 contributions
Jul 2021
We purchased our tickets through Groupon and went midweek on this whale watch. When we arrived, they were very well-organized. We were a little terrified of how many people they crammed on the boat UNTIL we realized there was PLENTY of room to spread out. Initially it felt like we were all crammed in with no ability to move around. The reality is that once the boat leaves the dock, there is plenty of room. It doesn't matter where you sit, because you will be able to view the whales from any seat. The captain did an amazing job of maneuvering the boat so everyone gets to view the whales. The trip out was interesting with a narrative of some of the scenery. The guide was fantastic explaining the different whale movements and pointing out their locations. It was a great day and I would highly recommend. You can bring your own food onboard, but no alcohol. On board, they sell food and beverages (including alcohol) for a very reasonable price. Great crew. Free Parking. Very well organized. Just a great day!
Written July 30, 2021
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.
AuntieDodo14
Woodstock, CT1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
A completely amazing experience! I highly recommend Cape Ann Whale Watch in Gloucester, MA. This was our second time out with them and both times were memorable, but this time we really lucked out! We came upon a couple of humpback whales flipper slapping (which the crew informed us is only seen about 10% of the trips they go on), then later encountered two other humpbacks who ended up hanging out around our ship for a really long time, coming very close and "mugging," aka people-watching.
The crew was great about sharing knowledge of the whales, their habits and behaviors, etc.
Per governor's orders, they could be running at 50% capacity, but have chosen to run at 35% for the comfort of all passengers. That was great because there really was a comfortable spacing between groups of passengers.
The crew of Cape Ann Whale Watch was extremely diligent about wiping down touch surfaces every half hour during the cruise, and the boats are electrostatically cleaned by a professional cleaning company when docked.
Face masks were required at all times when walking around on the boat. (People could remove them when they were in their 6' socially distanced seating area, if they chose, but just about everyone kept theirs on the entire time, except when eating or drinking.)
There is a bar and snack area to purchase beverages, both alcoholic and non, and snacks, like microwave popcorn. (The coffee was good!)
We would absolutely go again!!!!!
The crew was great about sharing knowledge of the whales, their habits and behaviors, etc.
Per governor's orders, they could be running at 50% capacity, but have chosen to run at 35% for the comfort of all passengers. That was great because there really was a comfortable spacing between groups of passengers.
The crew of Cape Ann Whale Watch was extremely diligent about wiping down touch surfaces every half hour during the cruise, and the boats are electrostatically cleaned by a professional cleaning company when docked.
Face masks were required at all times when walking around on the boat. (People could remove them when they were in their 6' socially distanced seating area, if they chose, but just about everyone kept theirs on the entire time, except when eating or drinking.)
There is a bar and snack area to purchase beverages, both alcoholic and non, and snacks, like microwave popcorn. (The coffee was good!)
We would absolutely go again!!!!!
Written August 23, 2020
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.
Dear AuntieDodo14,
Wow, it sounds like you had a GREAT trip!! Thank you for taking the time to write us a great review. We hope that we exceeded all expectations you had! We hope to see you again soon aboard the Hurricane II.
Regards,
Capt. Jim Douglass
Owner
Written August 26, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Teresa M
Island Park, NY14 contributions
Jun 2021
As part of an Army Reunion, I arranged a Whale watch tour for 15 members of our group. Booking over the phone was easy. As instructed we showed up early to purchase tickets. It was great that I was able to make the reservation for 15 but each individual/couple was able to pay separately. The ship is very large and comfortable. We sat downstairs. The crew are super friendly and helpful. One of our members was on a scooter thing after having foot surgery. She was able to maneuver with some help. The Crew does explain that you are not GAURANTEED to see whales so enjoy the journey. We were fortunate that we saw five different whale groups!! We enjoyed the Educators who walked the boat teaching about Sea Life. Very well done and interesting. We all had a great time and would highly recommend. I would not recommend for young kids because it is a lot of waiting. 6-7 up should have no problem but you know your kid best. The only negative was caused by people on the tour. This is a large Galley with about ten booths . Some groups dropped their belongings on tables making them unusable for others. Many announcements were made telling people not to do this but you know how selfish and entitled some people are!! The food in the Galley is reasonably priced. A Great day on the water
Written June 26, 2021
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.
Mongore123
1 contribution
Sep 2020
The crew and staff were friendly and helpful. Making Covid announcements regularly and asking people to follow the rules. Unfortunately some people didn't care enough to think past themselves and reminding them did nothing. Even though they said the ship could accommodate 300 they only booked 100 people. They cleaned 3 times during the voyage. Now the naturalist was very informative and spoke well. We spotted about 7 humpback (2 calfs). The whales 🐋 breached, and one flipped it was quite enjoyable viewing these majestic mammals.
Written September 11, 2020
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.
Dear Mongore123,
Thank you for taking time out of your day to leave us a review! Although it sounds like you had a great day with the whales, and appreciate the steps we are taking with COVID, it's unfortunate that some passengers behavior took one star away from us. However, we do hope you are able to join us again soon as it does sound like you had a nice time!
Best Regards,
Capt. Jim Douglass
Owner
Written September 15, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Katie Y
Danvers, MA3 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
We took my son for his 8th birthday. We had lots of fun on this trip! We got to see five whales up close and they were very active!
The staff was great and Jamie was very knowledgeable! We learned names of the whales and she would tell facts throughout the trip.
There were staff members constantly cleaning high touch surfaces like the handrails and railings on the side of the boat.
The guests followed mask protocols when moving around the boat. We were able to take them off when sitting On the benches as long as we felt comfortable. The seating areas were marked with blue tape to ensure a 6ft distance between guests.
Overall this was a great trip. We’ve been in previous years and will continue to use Cape Ann Whale Watch!!
The staff was great and Jamie was very knowledgeable! We learned names of the whales and she would tell facts throughout the trip.
There were staff members constantly cleaning high touch surfaces like the handrails and railings on the side of the boat.
The guests followed mask protocols when moving around the boat. We were able to take them off when sitting On the benches as long as we felt comfortable. The seating areas were marked with blue tape to ensure a 6ft distance between guests.
Overall this was a great trip. We’ve been in previous years and will continue to use Cape Ann Whale Watch!!
Written September 7, 2020
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.
Theodor R
Wayland, MA31 contributions
Jul 2021
We are two couples, sixtysomethings, who had been on whale watches before and had also been disappointed by the lack of... whales. Our Cape Ann experience, by contrast, was exhilarating. On our voyage to our appointed spot, the crew was so friendly and knowledgeable, and shared many interesting bits of information about whales. And when we arrived at our rendezvous with these incredibly beautiful mammals, it was like watching a mystical form of natural theater playing out just yards from our ship. Early on, people were shouting and laughing with excitement as we made our first sightings. Eventually, we spoke in hushed voices, or were in total silence observing these magnificent creatures. The weather was most cooperative, so visibility was excellent, only a slight roll of the ocean to rock us gently, and the warmth of the sun was quite bearable. We took lots of video and gladly because we couldn't quite believe our eyes.
Written July 19, 2021
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.
Dear theodorr2013,
Thank you for taking time out of your day to review our company, we appreciate your kind words. Aren't the whales truly magical? We hope you are able to join us again soon.
Kind regards,
Capt. Jim Douglass
Owner
Written July 20, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
rjhaney
Hampton, NH26 contributions
Once again, Cape Ann Whale Watch came thru in a big way! Hundreds of dolphins, mother humpback with her calf and then 2 other adult humpbacks!! This was the first time that we were able to hear the humpbacks "singing". The mother and calf sounded spectacular each time that they surfaced! When we have visitors who are not from NH or Mass, we call and schedule with Cape Ann and have never been disappointed. They always find whales, dolphins, etc. We will be back!!!
Written September 22, 2020
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.
bweebz
1 contribution
Jul 2020
The crew on this ship takes the COVID-19 pandemic seriously and it pays off for everyone aboard. Reduced capacity, mask guidelines, as well as sanitization done constantly by the crew, helps to make sure everyone felt comfortable on the excursion. The naturalists abroad the ship also gave insightful and meaningful knowledge to guide our whale watching; it was truly a notable trip and I hope to do it again in the future.
Written July 30, 2020
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.
Elizabeth S
2 contributions
Jun 2022
It was a perfect day for whale watching. We took the morning tour and it was cloudy with the sun coming out later. One week prior to the scheduled trip I received a reminder email with lots of need-to-know information such as appropriate dress for weather conditions and more. Since the temperature was in the 70s I was well prepared with a sweatshirt and windbreaker which were absolutely needed once the boat got underway. It took about 40 minutes to get to our destination and we were not disappointed! We saw several whales feeding and a group of whales came close enough to swim underneath the boat. The boat crew was friendly, courteous, helpful, and knowledgeable. I learned some new things about whales and marine facts from the live onboard speaker narrative the crew provided throughout the trip. We spent at least an hour watching the whales and every moment was fascinating. The captain was conscientious about being respectful of the whale's space and avoiding stressing them. We didn't have any of the onboard food because we weren't hungry but the prices were not ridiculous. There was a variety of food options available. We did have tasty adult drinks and the cost was fair. Not one mention or shake of the bartender's tip jar was seen throughout the trip. An added benefit was that the boat had inside seating to get out of the wind and weather. It was a most enjoyable trip and experience. I would recommend it.
Written June 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.
Is the 830 am trip decent for seeing whales? Anyone go that time of day and have good sightings?
Written January 29, 2023
How much are children and how do you book them as it says adult tickets when you try and book. Thanks
Written January 4, 2023
I don't know much children are. Give them a call direct. I purchased through Groupon, but still had to call them to book my spot.
Written January 5, 2023
I am staying in Burlington and need to take an Uber to get there. What time should I have them pick me up to make 10:30. I am staying at the Hyatt house in Burlington.
Written May 10, 2021
Approximately how long is the whale watching tour? Is there parking nearby?
Written January 22, 2021
As others have stated, a large lot is on site for parking, about an hour travel each way to the whales, with about an hour observing once there. A "three hour tour", but this is definitely NOT the minnow! I've never been disappointed....
Written January 22, 2021
How good is the tour in late Sep/early Oct? Are the sightings still good? How cool is it out on the water? Tour goes out rain or shine?
Written August 29, 2020
I've gone as late as late October and seen some beautiful whales. They seem to be even more active this year, but I've never been disappointed. The temperatures can run 20 degrees lower on the water, so dress accordingly. And yes, rain or shine unless there is dangerous lightening. Whales don't care if it rains, they're already wet! Haha
Written August 30, 2020
It’s November a good time to see the wilds?
Written August 3, 2018
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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
