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Stagnaro Sport Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises
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Stagnaro Sport Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises

See all things to do
See all things to do
Stagnaro Sport Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises
5
1,542
#4 of 63 Outdoor Activities in Santa Cruz
Fishing Charters & Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Boat Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching
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9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
The Stagnaro family has been serving the Santa Cruz area for over a century, ever since Italian patriarch Cottardo Stagnaro settled in Santa Cruz in 1879. This historical landmark business is still leading the way in ocean fun on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. There is something for everyone: Whale Watching, Scenic Bay Cruises, Fishing Trips and Private Parties for any occasion. Whichever your choice, today's fourth generation Stagnaro Charter Boats will surely make your trip fun and memorable.
Santa Cruz, California
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Awards
Travelers' Choice
2022
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Stagnaro Sport Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises
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(134 reviews)
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1,542 reviews
Excellent
1,327
Very good
138
Average
38
Poor
18
Terrible
21
Michelle Y
San Jose, CA5 contributions
Great Multi Age Family Activity
Jul 2022 • Family
We went on our very first chartered fishing trip with Stagnaro on July 3. We chose to go on the Twilight fishing trip since it was a shorter trip. We had a total of 11 in our party. Four of them were children. The youngest child (Grade 4) lost interest quite quickly. He ended up taking a nap in the inside cabin. Oldest party member was 82. I loved how we could rent fishing gear and buy our tackle from them. We also purchased our fishing license from their store. Be sure to dress for cold weather (even in the summer) If you're prone to getting sea sick, go prepared. Take motion sickness medication, wear a motion sickness wrist band, and focus on the horizon. The staff on the boat was very attentive. They taught us how to use the fishing pole. Helped us with bait and helped us to unhook the fish. We caught plenty of fish amongst all of us. Because it's deep sea fishing, it was hard to feel the fish tugging on the string. Every once in a while, we will reel up to find a fish stuck on the hook. I loved how they have a fish cleaning service. You pay $1 per fish. So worth it. It was a very expensive fishing trip but well worth it for the experience and memory.
Written July 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
bjc1234215
1 contribution
AMAZING! ORGANIZED!
Jul 2022 • Family
We chose this charter based on reviews and so glad we did! This place is top notch on communication as far as getting our reservation Information to us and providing information to questions I’m
Sure most everyone has…they are ahead of the game. Super easy to locate and getting to where you need to be. The knowledge of the crew was amazing and they have such a true passion about what they do and the whales. We got so very lucky and got to see them jumping out of the water and fin slapping which I know doesn’t happen too often. We got to see many of them and learn how to spot with the spout and count to see them surface and it was quickly easily learned by me and my kiddos to be able to spot and enjoy. I’d suggest arriving an hour to 1.5 before the time THEY ask you to arrive and enjoy breakfast or brunch at Aldo’s at the harbor. I’d also suggest bringing jackets/hats/gloves/pants if you get cold easily. I think the size of my tour was perfect and would hope they don’t sell more than what we had on our ride. That seemed like the right amount for all to enjoy. Hope your experience with them is as wonderful as ours was.
Written July 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nancy C
Santa Rosa, CA25 contributions
irst rate charter company. Our Whales and Sharks -Oh My!
Sep 2020
Stagnaro Charters is a Mafrine Biologist, Bryan, was friendly, highly knowledgeable, and professional. From the intro before we boarded, to the loop around "Shark Park" he gave information and shared stories and kept us informed and on the look-out. It happened to be a most incredibly beautiful SUNNY we were able to spot the whales from afar. Our captain, was a pro, too. We were ablre to get close and she positioned the boat so there wasn't na bad viewing spot. I highly recommend the Velocity for a trip to see the whales and sealife on Monterey Bay. Great for kids, too....
Written September 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jim S
San Jose, CA9 contributions
First Pacific Fishing Trip
Jan 2022
My first fishing trip in California after moving cross-country from New Jersey on Stagnaro's boat Legacy was great. The crew, Joey and Julian, were very helpful in orienting me to the Pacific style of fishing. Service was great; unhooking fish and fixing any tangled lines. We went San-Dab fishing which is perfect for any beginner. Sand-Dabs are small flounder like flat fish that just seem to jump onto your rig. Fishing poles are available for rent, or bring your own. Most of Pacific fishing is in pretty deep water, so a 7ft rod, conventional reel with at least 300 ft of at least 25 lb test line is recommended. Not a place for spinning tackle.Sand dabs are in until the end of March when the fleet switches over to Rock Cod, Salmon and other species. Can't wait until April.
Jimmy Squdder
Written January 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stagnaro Charters
Welcome to California! We look forward to having you on board for rockfish and salmon this season!
Written February 14, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
batcon13
Santa Cruz, CA1 contribution
Great fishing with my 9 year old son
Mar 2022 • Family
My 9 year old son and I went out on a half day sand dab fishing trip with Stagnaro’s . It took about 45 minutes or so to-get to the fishing grounds, when we arrived captain Jason said to drop our lines right to the bottom about 250 feet down. Every single time we reeled our lines up we had at least one fish on and many times 3,4 or 5 fish. At the end of the day we had 88 sand dabs, some mackerel and 2 petrale sole. What an amazing day fishing! My son was very tired from catching and reeling up so many fish. The 3 deck hands were great keeping us in bait, taking fish of the line, untangling lines and cleaning fish on the return journey. I wound highly recommend this to anyone, especially with kids. We look forward to salmon and rock cod season.
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
garetknipe
Gridley, CA1 contribution
Garet Knipe
Aug 2022
We went with Stagnaro on a rock fish trip for my buddies bachelor party. There was 9 of us and only 18 on the boat. The lady in the office was very helpful with the booking process and was very nice. On the fishing trip it started off slow, and in the first ten minutes the captain was yelling at one of my buddies (who’s bachelor party it was) for throwing a 6 inch fish back that wouldn’t have even made a fish stick. I’m assuming he just wanted us to keep everything so he could get home and post that we caught limits. Not long after the older deck hand was yelling at an old man on the boat for using a swim bait with a single hook, accusing him of causing tangled lines which was caused by rough water and a fast drift. Later on in the trip the deck hand ripped into one of friend for using a six ounce weight which was the weight his deck hand put on. He even made a point to call my friend out on the loud speaker to the whole boat saying he needs to pay attention to his weight size, which was never said before that. You would think the deck hands would set you up with the right equipment. It was so bad that he didn’t pick up a pole for the rest of the day. I will say the fishing was really good and the younger deck hand was a huge help and did a great job. I do not think I will be going with them again if the captain is the same.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tmilburn
Sacramento, CA2 contributions
Awesome fishing trip!!
May 2021
Captain Joey and deck hands Julian and Nate were amazing. We did the afternoon/ twilight tour and while morning fishing is usually our jam, we wouldn’t have traded it. The whole boat caught their limit and I can safely say that fun was had by all - men, women and children alike. We would and will absolutely book our next trip with them the next time we’re in the area without hesitation. For future patrons please remember to bring a decent tip for the deckhands. They went above and beyond to make sure customers had a good time and that’s how they make their living so please be sure to show your appreciation. Can’t say enough good things about them so come and experience it for yourself. You won’t be sorry!
Written May 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Tim C
2 contributions
A day to live on forever.
Aug 2022
The 3 of us in my present family spent a glorious afternoon with these guys. We saw more sea life than we ever expected!! Whales, otters, a jellyfish cluster, seals, ad two kinds of dolphins. The one type of dolphin we drove next to for about a half an hour while the more than 50 of them jumped, surfaced and played. We followed a juvenile whale for about a half hour also and then enjoyed encounters with the rest of the wild life! The crew was amazing at helping us see the animals and giving us delightful explanation of their behaviors. It was a ~4 hour trip filled with memory making sights that will last the rest of our days!
Written August 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Perch-n-Corbina
San Jose, CA1 contribution
Very professionally run outfit.
Jun 2022
The main shop was tidy. Excellent printed paper map driving instructions to the marina for first timers. There is an abundance of deckhands (there were four on our load of 23 customers). The Legacy is an older vessel but well maintained. No smelly engine fumes like some other older boats on the California coast. Crew took good care of a special needs passenger that happened to be on board this trip - these are good people. Ticket price is notably less than the boats north of Silicon Valley - anglers take note. My only quibble is they don’t allow braided line.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John F
1 contribution
Fishing with my son
Aug 2022
This was my second trip on the Stagnaro's Sport Fishing Charters. Over the years I've been on a number of other outfits that left from Halfmoon Bay and San Francisco, but my experience with Stagnaro's was the best! Like the first time, it was an excellent experience. From the caption to the deck hands, there was a high level of professionalism. The caption was very experienced and was determined to reach our limits for each angler onboard. The deck hands we're very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The boat and all the equipment was rock solid. If your new to charter boat fishing or and experienced angler you can't beat using Stagnaro's Sport Fishing Charters.
Written August 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Stagnaro Sport Fishing Charters & Whale Watching Cruises (Santa Cruz) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go