WHALE WATCHING TRAVELER
The trips worth heading out on.
The 15 whale watching trips travellers rate highest in the United States, from the Maui humpback nursery and the bubble-net hunters off Juneau to the blue and grey whales of Monterey and the humpbacks of Cape Cod. Coast to coast, ocean by ocean.
Juneau whale watching with guaranteed humpbacks, heated boat comfort, and cruise-friendly roundtrip pickup from Auke Bay.
Most Popular“Omg we saw so many whales. We had three ladies on our boat. The captain really made the trip so much fun. I think her name was Hannah. We had a great time. A must see. Have your camera ready.”
Half-day Juneau tour pairing Mendenhall Glacier viewing with a warm, wildlife-focused whale cruise, with easy port transfers and guaranteed whales.
“The boat ride is a breeze but you will need warm clothes. The trip to the glacier is fun but not enough time to hike if that’s your goal. Every one is very informative.”
Fast Gloucester whale watching on the Hurricane II to Stellwagen Bank with a naturalist, heated cabin, and real time for whale viewing.
“Everything went smooth, whales were awesome, we saw 3 of them and some dolphins. Captain and Biologist very knowledgeable and made the trip fun and enjoyable. Highly recommend it.”
Boston Harbor whale watch cruise with aquarium naturalists, high-speed comfort, and real odds to spot humpbacks, fins, minkes, and dolphins.
“Great boat, great people! Saw whales and even a seal!”
Eye-level humpback whale or dolphin watching from Lahaina on a small zodiac raft, with marine guide narration and hydrophone whale songs.
“The tour guides knew exactly where to take us for the most Whale 🐳 activity. They were so knowledgeable about them.”
Sail the America replica in San Diego for a 4-hour whale watch with expert narration, onboard snacks, and a sighting guarantee.
“Didnt receive email with lino to captured video since I dont have an iPhone. But tour was nice watching 1 momma whale and babt”
Guaranteed whale sightings on a 4-hour Stellwagen Bank cruise from Gloucester. Learn from naturalists, stay warm, and chase photo moments.
“Such a wonderful experience! Would recommend this tour and the friendly staff. Seeing humpback up close was breathtaking.”
2-hour humpback whale watch from Ala Wai Harbor with expert narration, big-window cabin or upper deck viewing, and an underwater hydrophone.
“Even though it was windy and the water was choppy, we had a great boat ride. We didn't see any whales in our excursion, but were given a pass to come back on any future whale watching tours. Logan and Carell were super informative and made it a great trip! Thank you!”
A 2–3 hour Mission Bay cruise to the open Pacific for whale and dolphin sightings, with onboard naturalists, scenic stops, and easy logistics.
“The boat 🛥️ is great; not a ‘bad seat’ in the “house”. The crew is exceptional….especially the captain (who has an eye for spotting whales) and the naturalist who offered whale 🐳 info in an engaging, interesting way. This was a spectacular experience.”
Ride Maalaea’s Quicksilver catamaran for a 2-hour Maui whale watching cruise with hydrophones, shade, and included juice.
“Breathtaking!!!!!!!!!! Seen soooooooo many whales and got to see a baby jump out the water 3 times. The captain was awesome, very knowledgeable. Staff was awesome, the young man made us feel very safe with boarding and exiting with our large stroller! My husband and I travel with our 17 yr old, 9 year old,…”
2-hour Newport Beach whale watching from Newport Harbor: chance at blue, humpback, gray whales and lots of dolphins with coastline views.
“It was a great birthday gift for my grandson, a college freshman. Our guide, Captain Hunter, managed to find not just one, but two whales, a Baleen whale and a Minke whale, as well as two species of dolphins, Common and Bottle Nose, plus sea lions basking in the sun. I had warned my grandson…”
Small-group whale watch from Lahaina with a low raft, hydrophone whale songs, and a free return if whales don’t show.
“Fantastic experience. The smaller raft allows the captain to quickly move to whale locations. We saw more whales than we could count. I very different experience than the large cats.”
Maui whale watching on a small, fast boat from Mala Boat Ramp with cushioned seating, onboard shade, bathroom, and strong whale-spotting guides.
“Awesome experience to see the whales in action. Levi and Allison were wonderful guides. Don’t miss this!”
Waikiki whale watch with Pink Sails: 2-hour cruise for humpbacks, dolphins, and turtles, plus free re-ride if no whales.
“It’s a bumpy ride but you likely won’t get wet. Beautiful scenery and a few whales but you gotta be patient. Also really appreciated LD being on the boat.”
Spot gray whales and more on a 3.5-hour narrated Monterey Bay cruise, with photo tips, coffee/tea, and a small-group vibe.
“This tour fulfilled a life long dream to see whales wild and free. I went out on the morning tour so it took a bit for us to locate the whales, but once we did it was magical. What a privilege it was to experience Humpbacks and Baird's Beaked Whales in person. The crew was…”
Every coast worth sailing, harbour by harbour.
