Monterey Bay Whale Watching
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 370 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Monterey Bay Whale Watching worth booking?
Monterey Bay Whale Watching is a 2-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $70 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 370 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (370)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $70 per person
Sea Goddess Whale Watching promises a once-in-a-lifetime whale watching experience. Our whale watching tours depart from Moss Landing, right at the mouth of the Monterey Bay Canyon, one of the largest underwater canyons
What you get
About this experience
Sea Goddess Whale Watching promises a once-in-a-lifetime whale watching experience. Our whale watching tours depart from Moss Landing, right at the mouth of the Monterey Bay Canyon, one of the largest underwater canyons in the world! This nutrient-rich zone attracts all types of marine life, making Moss Landing the best place for whale watching tours in the entire Monterey Bay. With many migratory whales, we’re able to offer guaranteed whale sightings year-round. Since we our tours depart out of Moss Landing – Less Travel Time than Monterey wharf departures, and More Whale Watching Time! The Biggest & Nicest Boats on Monterey Bay with 360 Degree walk around deck, interior cabin with windows and clean bathrooms Premium VIP Upper Deck seating available (best for viewing) Favorite Whale Watching Tour by both locals and tourists Marine Biologist Tour Guides to narrate your experience FREE parking on street if available
What's included
Included
- All Fees and Taxes
- On-board restrooms
Not included
- Snacks
- Alcoholic beverages
- Lunch
- Carbonated beverages
What you'll see and do
The Monterey Bay is California’s best location for viewing humpback whales, killer whales a.k.a. orcas, gray whales, blue whales, great white sharks and the abundance of marine species including dolphins, jellyfish and mola mola, which call the Pacific Ocean home. Sea Goddess Whale Watching promises you a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Our whale watching tours depart from Moss Landing, at the mouth of the Monterey Bay Canyon, one of the largest underwater canyons in the world! The canyon is a nutrient-rich zone that attracts all types of marine life, making Moss Landing the best place for whale watching tours in the entire state of California, and Monterey Bay including San Francisco. In fact, the Monterey Bay is home to resident whales & dolphins and visited by so many migratory whales that we’re able to offer guaranteed whale sightings year-round. Plan your day!
180 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Monterey & Carmel
Head towards the Moss Landing harbor office and you will see our large mobile office for check-in.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Head towards the Moss Landing harbor office and you will see our large mobile office for check-in.
Options you can book
Whale Watching Cruise
Whale Watching -VIP Upper Deck
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Sea Goddess Whale Watching
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- No walkers or wheelchairs allowed for safety reasons
- Not Available for infants or children under 3 years old due to safety reasons
- All passengers must be able to support themselves with both hands at all times with the motion of the boat
Photos
Traveler reviews
367 verified traveler reviews for Monterey Bay Whale Watching. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Nice Experience
We took the morning tour. The marine layer stayed with us the entire time. There’s lots of seabirds, and we also saw a few humpback whales from a distance. Did manage to see one humpback “chinstrapping” which was magnificent. We saw sea lions and harbor dolphins very close to the boat. In spite of the day being fairly mild, my wife (who is often seasick) did have some trouble. The boat was equipped with seasickness bags so she managed fairly well. The naturalist aboard was OK but a bit under-inspiring. A day on the water is always better than staying ashore !!
via Viator
Whales and Dolphin sightings!!!!
Where warm weather wear, it’s pretty windy. And opt for the VIP view, you could see better and it’s less crowded.
via Viator
Great whale watching and...
Great whale watching and came across a pod of dolphins… there were about 100 of them! Truly magical!
via Viator
EXCELLENT Whale Watching Tours
This was our SECOND time to go out whale watching with the Sea Goddess group. Both times were exceptional. Last time was a few years ago, and they keep in touch with other boats as to where the whales and sea life are. We went North and even got to see the whales Spy-Hopping! This time we hardly had to leave Moss Landing out in Monterey Bay to see a grand show. They keep you informed of where you are and where they are going. If something is spotted, they give very good information on where to look. They identify what you are seeing with a naturalist on boat...whether it is whales or other sea life. We saw about 10 to 12 different individual whales multiple times. Sea life is NEVER guaranteed, but they definitely do their best to help you see what is in the area...with ship movements and time spent. GREAT COMMUNICATION ON BOOKING ALSO.
via Tripadvisor
Not recommended. Very disappointing and poorly handled cancellation.
We traveled to Moss Landing specifically for this whale watching tour and booked a hotel nearby. We arrived 30 minutes early as requested, but were not informed until around 9:45 AM that the tour was cancelled due to an engine issue. I understand mechanical issues can happen, but I would expect this to be identified during pre-departure checks, or at least communicated to customers before they arrive. Very poor communication and disappointing customer service. I would recommend booking with another company if whale watching is an important part of your trip.
Response from the operator: I understand your disappointment and mechanical failures are never convenient or good all the way for everyone. But they are reality in the travel/ tourism industry as even billion dollar airlines often have to cancel flights or delay flights to switch to another aircraft. Unfortunately, we are not immune to this and don't have the luxury to switch to another vessel. I'm sure you've had your car not start at not the optimal time or at least heard about that happening. At least this it happened before we departed vs. being stuck in the middle of Monterey Bay. We don't start the engines until we're ready for departure just you would with you car. We did offer everyone to reschedule and be on our next available tour the next day or a refund if that wasn't an option due to a tight travel itinerary to try to make things right. We apologize again but some things are a little out of our control which I hope you would understand. SG
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $70 to $90
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 130
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Monterey Bay Whale Watching: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.
How much does Monterey Bay Whale Watching cost?
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Prices start at $70 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Monterey & Carmel usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Monterey Bay Whale Watching take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Monterey & Carmel is not rushed.
Is Monterey Bay Whale Watching worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 370 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Monterey & Carmel, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Monterey Bay Whale Watching?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Monterey Bay Whale Watching suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Monterey Bay Whale Watching?
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Around 130 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Monterey & Carmel can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Monterey & Carmel and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Monterey Bay Whale Watching start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Monterey & Carmel within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Monterey & Carmel?
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Monterey Bay is one of the best whale watching stretches in the world, alongside kayak tours over the kelp forest, 17-Mile Drive and Big Sur coastal runs, and Carmel wine walks. Boat size and naturalist quality decide the whale trips, and we score them accordingly. On Outty we rank every Monterey & Carmel experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Monterey's 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr, Whale Watching Tour From Monterey, Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Monterey & Carmel?
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April to November for whales and calm seas. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Monterey & Carmel?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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