Frances Fleet
Frances Fleet
4
Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Full view
About
The Frances Fleet offers Deep Sea Fishing Trips Year Round and Nature/Whale Watch Excursions in July and August. Our fishing trips include half day, full day, night trips and also Long Range Tuna Trips. Our trips are geared toward the novice who brings his family for a half day fishing trip in the summer and also to the more experienced fishermen who enjoys our two and three day tuna trips in the fall. Depending on the season we fish for fluke, cod, seabass, scup, striped bass, bluefish, tautog and tuna. In July and August we also offer Nature/Whale Watch Excursions. Off the coast of Block Island is a perfect area for whales to feed during the summer months. Possible sightings include, humpbacks, finbacks and minke whales. Also dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, sunfish and many different species of bird life.
Narragansett, Rhode Island
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(15 reviews)
(16 reviews)
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
42 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
9
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
7
Kendall M
2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
We went on a whale watching trip. The captain worked very hard to get us as safely close to the whales as possible. I don’t remember his name but the crew member who is also a teacher was amazing!! He was very personable, allowed us to run back to our car for something before hand. We were cutting it close on time and we’re a little frantic getting on board. He assured us they will usually wait up to 5 minutes for someone. I wasn’t impressed with the office workers. We live 2 hours away and got stuck in traffic. When I realized we were going to be cutting it close, not late just close, I called to explain the situation. The woman I spoke with was rude and not at all helpful. She made me feel hopeless, we almost turned around and went back home. I’m so glad we didn’t because like I said, when we got there the school teacher crew member made us feel secure that we were not a burden. The only other negative thing I have to say was the younger crew member (maybe 18) was vaping inside the cabin. None the less, we would use this company again for a fishing tour.
Written August 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
216CelBen
Exeter, RI3 contributions
Aug 2021
We treated our three oldest grandchildren (2- 8yo & a 10yo) to a whale watching tour with the Frances Fleet. The 25 mile ride to the whale grounds is LONG, but once we arrived we were all in for a treat. We must have seen at least 25 whales. The captain was great at pointing out which direction to look and turning the boat multiple times so people each side of the boat had plenty of chances to see the whales. They are huge! I was concerned the kids would be seasick and the ride out was not smooth as glass. There was some belly aching and boredom, but once the whales were sighted everything was better. The ride home was much easier than the ride out and the kids had nothing but great things to say about their day!
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
David C
Wadsworth, OH3,141 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
I know that no captain can guarantee you will see whales but when you get to hang out with the whales like your old buddies from college, it’s a blast. On the way out there you get great views of block island and then Montauk, NY. It’s between these two that the whales are waiting. Maybe not, but once we found them we got to see they far away and way up close. For about 30 minutes a mom and calf just kept going back and forth under our boat. It was incredible. This was a trip my kids and I will remember for a long time. Good crew. Big boat. Covid guidelines were practiced.
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Debbie B
Columbia, MD23 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
We went whale watching on Frances Fleet from 1:00 PM to 5:45 PM. My husband and I got very seasick even though we wore medicated patches to prevent motion sickness. Many people on the boat were seasick and vomited. We did not vomit but we were very nauseous. We stood on the outside deck with the wind blowing on our faces which seemed to help us feel a little better. We did not see any whales the entire trip. Four boring hours of staring into the ocean watching the waves. Although many people love this type of experience, it wasn’t our idea of having a good time.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sam R
Attleboro, MA23 contributions
Jun 2020
This is a perfect half-day fishing excursion for non-fishers (although there were many "real" fishermen on the trip as well). They supplied you with everything you needed - rods/reels, bait, and best of all assistance and help whenever you needed it.
If your fishing line got tangled, needed help reeling in a fish, or just had a question the crew was always there happy and willing to help. They even filleted the fish you caught on the way back to the dock.
This is my 3rd time with Frances Fleet and I would definitely do a 4th.
Thanks
Sam
If your fishing line got tangled, needed help reeling in a fish, or just had a question the crew was always there happy and willing to help. They even filleted the fish you caught on the way back to the dock.
This is my 3rd time with Frances Fleet and I would definitely do a 4th.
Thanks
Sam
Written July 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sheena A
Rhode Island4 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
We did a girls trip yesterday whale watching on the Francis Fleet. No men no kids haha. We had a great time! We were on the boat from 1-5:45pm. We got to see about 5-6 whales in action over and over again. They came right up to the boat, and we even had mother and baby whale. It was an amazing experience. We caught great weather also. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is the food/drink selection on the boat kind of stinks. They should up their game on that- especially being on the boat for that many hours. I would’ve paid $10 for an iced coffee at that point haha. But def recommend!!!
Written August 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1_CASM
Ontario, Canada13 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
We are Canadian, and travel quite a distance to R.I. one thing that has been on our list for several years now is to go whale watching.
Bought 4 tickets several years ago, initial whale watching trip cancelled, they gave us 4 vouchers to use next trip, no expiry.
We have tried several times to use these vouchers, made reservations, showed up early and were told the tour was cancelled, for that day, next day, and following day.
Our schedule to plan for this whale watching tour, was limited, every year we have reserved, and every year they tell us they will call us if tour will be cancelled, since we are on vacation, and touring around, we show up at site hours early to make sure all is good and are told the tour is cancelled.
Just before rep told us it was cancelled she took a reservation via phone for 20.. A little suspicious,
What good are vouchers, they have our money, and we are at their mercy.
Very frustrated
Bought 4 tickets several years ago, initial whale watching trip cancelled, they gave us 4 vouchers to use next trip, no expiry.
We have tried several times to use these vouchers, made reservations, showed up early and were told the tour was cancelled, for that day, next day, and following day.
Our schedule to plan for this whale watching tour, was limited, every year we have reserved, and every year they tell us they will call us if tour will be cancelled, since we are on vacation, and touring around, we show up at site hours early to make sure all is good and are told the tour is cancelled.
Just before rep told us it was cancelled she took a reservation via phone for 20.. A little suspicious,
What good are vouchers, they have our money, and we are at their mercy.
Very frustrated
Written August 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Professor323
1 contribution
Aug 2015 • Family
I signed up for half day Fluke fishing. I am a 3rd generation lobsterman so I know the habitat of various fish. I decided o take my nephew fishing specifically for fluke. When we arrived at the grounds I noticed that my sinker continued to drag over rocky bottom. The few fish that were being caught were black bass and if you caught one legal one that was your limit. We moved from place to place and continually found ourselves fishing rocky bottom. Needless to say a single stray fluke wondered over the rocky bottom that a surprised patron caught. I believe that where the Captain went was intentional because he seemed to know where black bass were plentiful even though most were undersized. If I knowingly pay to go Fluke fishing I want to at least have a chance to catch fluke in their domain of sandy/muddy bottom. I ga.ve one star for the young crew who were very attentive. Several of them agreed that we should have been in sandy bottom. This will be the last time for me and the Frances Fleet. If you want to cruise in a boat for four hours at $40 a head...at least you'll have a boat ride.
Written August 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Diane C
Atlanta, GA69 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
I recently went on a whale watching excursion with Frances Fleet and had a great experience. The captain was very personable and gave lots of interesting information as we spotted several finback whales as well as a huge pod of common dolphins that entertained us for quite a while as the dolphins swam all around and under the boat. We also saw a sun fish up close to the boat, which was very fun to see. The boat was large, clean, and not over-crowded at it's full capacity of 50, so we could view with ease, being able to move easily from side to side on the top deck. The water was pretty rough the day we went so I would highly recommend purchasing the wrist bands to help prevent seasickness. There were several people who were really struggling with nausea that day. Totally worth the $12 for the wrist band, which can be purchased in the shop where you get your ticket. Fun 4 1/2 hours - - - if you are not seasick!
Written July 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
905ellen
14 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Being a little wary of the sea, I was thrilled that our Whale Watching trip was on the largest boat in the fleet - the Lady Frances. Great 2-level vessel! The crew was experienced and kept us all informed throughout the trip. By the end we all felt like whale experts thanks to their knowledge. Once in a lifetime experience! Everyone should go at least once!
Written July 9, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John K
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, United States
piss and moan, piss and moan,,,,, can't please every one and Dogf is living proof of this....been on this boat many time some fishing days better than others,, some not as good as others, as the old timers say,, it is what it is,,, good days,, bad days,,,, but it all evens out in the end .... I didn't catch my limit i'll blame the Capt. and crew for this and not my fishing skills or lack of them
esp5141
Wyoming, NY6 contributions
I have fished from B.C. to Curacao, San Diego to Portland Me. Sometimes fishing is not good (the fish win), sometimes very good. Been scammed on a few open charters, Capt's have ulterior motives, not in clients best interest, and/or conditions may change. If you suspect foul, complain and avoid, warn other people. BUT, if you had a good trip, let people know that also. Word of mouth is the best/worst sales point for any business. From experience, do your research BEFORE plunking down your hard earned money and getting on a boat.
Do you need a fishing license for deep sea fishing
John K
Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, United States
not if you are on a party boat,, there license. will cover you. if not you do need one
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John A
Statesville, NC1 contribution
We are coming up in July and want to do a whale watch with family. there are six of us 2 kids, 12 and 9, 2 seniors and 2 adults. Looking for July 12th middle of the week. Good choice? And How do we buy tickets?
Cory B
Narragansett, RI
Thank you for contacting us. You can book online or you can call us and we can take your reservation over the phone. Your best bet would be to go on a Tuesday or Friday. We offer a family discount on those two days. Two adults and two children (12 and under) would be $130 (normally $180.00) and the two seniors would be $45 each. Its not something you have to book way in advance, the week before would be fine. If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to contact us.