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“We had a great time and the crew was friendly, knowledgeable and got us where we saw whales. The deck got a little crowded but folks were nice about sharing space.”
Half-day Juneau tour pairing Mendenhall Glacier viewing with a warm, wildlife-focused whale cruise, with easy port transfers and guaranteed whales.
“Worth it! Greg took us to the glacier first where we had about 45 minutes to explore. Not enough time to get to Nugget falls but you could view it from the areas we were at. Seeing the glacier in person, it was easy to forget this was only part of the tour. Up next,…”
Fast Gloucester whale watching on the Hurricane II to Stellwagen Bank with a naturalist, heated cabin, and real time for whale viewing.
“Had a fabulous time! The whales put on a sweet show for us! The weather stayed friendly and sunny. The sea was wonderful and the trip guides did a great job. Thanks to all.”
Boston Harbor whale watch cruise with aquarium naturalists, high-speed comfort, and real odds to spot humpbacks, fins, minkes, and dolphins.
“-We got lucky with weather, and whales were a bit seen through under water, captain was great and respectful, didn’t disturb the whales and they came really close to us. -Price is too high only for the ride, in Sydney this 2 times cheaper. And some tours you can swim with them.”
Eye-level humpback whale or dolphin watching from Lahaina on a small zodiac raft, with marine guide narration and hydrophone whale songs.
“Captain Jack and Jess were awesome. The whale experience was a highlight of our trip. We saw a baby whale breach probably 150 yards from our boat which was my personal highlight.”
Sail the America replica in San Diego for a 4-hour whale watch with expert narration, onboard snacks, and a sighting guarantee.
“I had an absolutely spectacular experience on the whale watching tour this past weekend with my mother! From start to finish, the staff went above and beyond—attentive, knowledgeable, and full of fascinating facts about marine life and local history. The ride was incredibly smooth (I’ve struggled with seasickness in the past, but not this time!),…”
Guaranteed whale sightings on a 4-hour Stellwagen Bank cruise from Gloucester. Learn from naturalists, stay warm, and chase photo moments.
“Wonderful! Totally worth the time and money. We saw whales and dolphins and had really nice weather. Some ppl were sea sick but I dint think it was bad”
2-hour humpback whale watch from Ala Wai Harbor with expert narration, big-window cabin or upper deck viewing, and an underwater hydrophone.
“A fun experience with great crew members! Obviously you are not expecting to see a ton of whales not on Maui, but going and seeing a few, for a cheap price, and not significant travel time is very nice.”
A 2–3 hour Mission Bay cruise to the open Pacific for whale and dolphin sightings, with onboard naturalists, scenic stops, and easy logistics.
“Friendly crew! Enjoyed Jennifer’s commentary and the friendly service provided by the deck hands. Smooth sailing with a competent captain! We didn’t see whales but we did catch glimpses of dolphins. The only thing I would recommend is dress in layers. By the end I was freezing without a windbreaker!”
Ride Maalaea’s Quicksilver catamaran for a 2-hour Maui whale watching cruise with hydrophones, shade, and included juice.
“Great experience. Probably so the most whales I have ever seen on whale watching cruise. Great crew . Highly recommend !!!”
2-hour Newport Beach whale watching from Newport Harbor: chance at blue, humpback, gray whales and lots of dolphins with coastline views.
“Kayla was a great captain! Great information and got us on a huge group of dolphins. She was safe and full of information on the sea life.”
Small-group whale watch from Lahaina with a low raft, hydrophone whale songs, and a free return if whales don’t show.
“It’s a wonderful way to get up close to whales. The staff are fun and knowledgeable. This was our second time on the boat, and we will come again year.”
Maui whale watching on a small, fast boat from Mala Boat Ramp with cushioned seating, onboard shade, bathroom, and strong whale-spotting guides.
“Family owned business that really cares about your experience! Can’t recommend enough! Much better than huge boats for really getting the great views. Kristen and Levi were amazing and full of great knowledge!”
Waikiki whale watch with Pink Sails: 2-hour cruise for humpbacks, dolphins, and turtles, plus free re-ride if no whales.
“Went on our whale watch a few days ago, u fortunately no sightings but we are going to try again. Captain and crew were very attenuated checked in with guests to ensure they were felling ok. They offered to rescued for another attempt which we will do in a few days.”
Spot gray whales and more on a 3.5-hour narrated Monterey Bay cruise, with photo tips, coffee/tea, and a small-group vibe.
“Great crew! Saw lots of humpback whales. Colby was the naturalist and very informative. Ryan was very attentive and helpful. Water was very choppy so several of us were seasick. Great trip in spite of seasickness.”
Every coast worth sailing, harbour by harbour.
