Monterey Whale Watching Tour in Monterey & Carmel, United States
Monterey & Carmel, United States

Monterey Whale Watching Tour

Outty Ranking 83 4.7 · 925 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $70
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Outty Ranking

83/100

Exceptional. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 925 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Monterey Whale Watching Tour worth booking?

Monterey Whale Watching Tour is a 2-hour experience in Monterey & Carmel, United States, from $70 per person. It scores 83 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 925 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
83 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (925)
Duration
2 hours
From
$70 per person

We are honored to be the #1 Whale Watching Company in Monterey Bay with a 99% success rate and offer: Two of the largest and most comfortable boats operating in Monterey – the 110 foot Princess Monterey and the 100 foot Atlantis Monterey. Heated cabins with large windows for easy viewing and comfort in any weather. Indoor and Outdoor seating with a 360-degree walk-around deck. Optional VIP Upper Deck seating is available for an additional per person charge upon check in if space is available. Vessels exceeding all United States Coast Guard safety requirements with full inspections and certifications. Professional Marine Biologist and Naturalists to narrate the experience. We cannot take children under 3 years old or pregnant women on our trips

What you get

    About this experience

    We are honored to be the #1 Whale Watching Company in Monterey Bay with a 99% success rate and offer: Two of the largest and most comfortable boats operating in Monterey – the 110 foot Princess Monterey and the 100 foot Atlantis Monterey. Heated cabins with large windows for easy viewing and comfort in any weather. Indoor and Outdoor seating with a 360-degree walk-around deck. Optional VIP Upper Deck seating is available for an additional per person charge upon check in if space is available. Vessels exceeding all United States Coast Guard safety requirements with full inspections and certifications. Professional Marine Biologist and Naturalists to narrate the experience. We cannot take children under 3 years old or pregnant women on our trips

    What's included

    Included

    • On-board restrooms

    Not included

    • We cannot take kids under 3 or pregnant women on our trips
    • Carbonated beverages
    • Tea and coffee
    • Snacks
    • VIP upper deck seating optional upgrade $20 per person at check in if space is available

    What you'll see and do

    1. Monterey Bay

      As one of the only places in the world to whale watch year-round, Monterey Bay is abundant with a huge diversity of sea life, and is at the top of many things to do in Monterey. As a protected marine sanctuary rich with nutrients, the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon thrives with a bounty of breathtaking wildlife including Humpback Whales, Killer Whales, Gray Whales, Blue Whales, Sperm Whales, Risso Dolphins, Long Beaked Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, Dall’s Porpoise, Mola Mola aka Ocean Sunfish, Jellyfish, Sea Turtles, Sea Lions, Pelicans, Sea Otters and so much more! Board the 2 largest boats in the Monterey fleet the 110ft. Princess Monterey and the 100ft Atlantis Monterey. Limited VIP upper deck seating optional upgrade for an additional charge of $20 per person at time of check in if space is available.

      180 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Monterey & Carmel

    PARKING INSTURCTIONS-GPS ADDRESSES TO PARKING AREAS WATERFRONT LOT 245 WASHINGTON ST. MONTEREY HERITAGE HARBOR PARKING GARAGE 100 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY You will walk down the wharf with the shops and restaurants, we are the yellow building toward the end of the wharf.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    PARKING INSTURCTIONS-GPS ADDRESSES TO PARKING AREAS WATERFRONT LOT 245 WASHINGTON ST. MONTEREY HERITAGE HARBOR PARKING GARAGE 100 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY You will walk down the wharf with the shops and restaurants, we are the yellow building toward the end of the wharf.

    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 30 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Princess Monterey Whale Watching

    Know before you go

    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Can not take children under 3 years of age
    • Can not take pregnant women on our trips

    Photos

    Monterey Whale Watching Tour in Monterey & Carmel, photo 2Breaching Humpback, Monterey Whale Watching Tour in Monterey & CarmelSunset with the whales, Monterey Whale Watching Tour in Monterey & CarmelRisso's Dolphins, Monterey Whale Watching Tour in Monterey & CarmelSea Lion, Monterey Whale Watching Tour in Monterey & CarmelLunge feeding humpback whale, Monterey Whale Watching Tour in Monterey & Carmel

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 908 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Photo opportunities

    3 mentions

    The views and photo stops come up again and again.

    Traveler reviews

    908 verified traveler reviews for Monterey Whale Watching Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    742
    4 star
    98
    3 star
    25
    2 star
    17
    1 star
    26
    Sort
    Renee_A · October 2026

    My First Whale Watching Tour - Fantastic!

    The crew were very nice and the person providing the information on the whales was very knowledgeable

    via Viator

    kathleenbF516CO · October 2026

    A fun family sea adventure

    This tour was a perfect event to crown our visit to Monterey. The tour was 3 hours long and we were treated to up close viewing of a wide range of sea life. We encountered an incredible number of whales as well as a raft of sea lions, a variety of sea birds, and dolphins. The crew were friendly and highly knowledgeable. Overall it was a wonderful experience.

    via Tripadvisor

    Shayne_C · October 2026

    Great tour!

    An absolute 10/10 ocean adventure! We took the 6:30 PM evening tour and were blown away. The golden-hour light over the bay was stunning, and the marine life did not disappoint—we saw humpback whales breaching and tail-slapping along with massive groups of sea lions. The naturalists on board were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and kept everyone informed throughout the trip. Highly recommend to anyone visiting the California coast!

    via Viator

    Joe_C · October 2026

    Fun experience

    This was a fun experience. We got to see a lot of whales, some of which came really close to our boat, and we saw a ton of dolphins and seals. Our narrator did a nice job pointing out where all of the activity was, and the entire crew was nice and helpful. It was fun and relaxing.

    via Viator

    Boromir1234 · October 2026

    Lots of whales, dolphins, and sea lions

    I had never gone whale watching because I was afraid of going all the way out there and not seeing whales. It turns out that apparently they always see whales. On our trip, we saw dozens of humpbacks, including two doing courtship. We saw a huge pod of hundreds of dolphins all racing along in the waves next to the boat. And lots of sea lions jumping as they tried to get the leftovers from the whales feeding. The whales didn’t really breach and splash, but we saw their tails and spouts and backs, and a couple poked up their heads. We took our 3 year old, who liked watching the whales for about 15 minutes, but also felt sick some of the time and wanted to play inside the cabin for most of the time. She was too young for this trip. It was cold and windy and we wished we had brought an additional layer. The boat ride out to the whales was about an hour each way.

    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
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    324
    Verdict
    Exceptional

    Why this scores 83

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)78
    Review evidence (18% weight)99
    Booking momentum (14% weight)99
    Value for money (12% weight)52
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)62
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Monterey Whale Watching Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Monterey & Carmel.

    How much does Monterey Whale Watching Tour cost?

    +

    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 Whale Watching Tour take?

    +

    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 Whale Watching Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 83 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 925 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Monterey & Carmel, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Monterey Whale Watching Tour?

    +

    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 Whale Watching Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Whale Watching Tour?

    +

    Around 324 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?

    +

    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 Whale Watching Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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, 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided 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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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.

    What is included in Monterey Whale Watching Tour?

    +

    Included: On-board restrooms. Not included: We cannot take kids under 3 or pregnant women on our trips; Carbonated beverages; Tea and coffee; and Snacks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Monterey Whale Watching Tour?

    +

    PARKING INSTURCTIONS-GPS ADDRESSES TO PARKING AREAS WATERFRONT LOT 245 WASHINGTON ST. MONTEREY HERITAGE HARBOR PARKING GARAGE 100 PACIFIC ST. MONTEREY You will walk down the wharf with the shops and restaurants. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Monterey Whale Watching Tour offered in?

    +

    It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Monterey Whale Watching Tour?

    +

    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Monterey Whale Watching Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

    +

    The operator notes: Can not take pregnant women on our trips. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Monterey Whale Watching Tour if the weather is bad?

    +

    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Monterey Whale Watching Tour?

    +

    Across 925 reviews averaging 4.7 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

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