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Catch the excitement of whale watching in Monterey Bay! Our skilled guides make it an unforgettable journey as you get close to these awe-inspiring giants.
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BROWSE MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH TOURS
Join Monterey Bay Whale Watch for an amazing and unforgettable whale watching experience! We offer Daily Whale Watching Tours, Pelagic Seabird Tours, Killer Whale Tours, as well as Private Charters here in Monterey Bay. Discover the world of cetaceans and sea birds with us!
Monterey Bay Whale Watch, named one of the top five whale watching companies in the U.S., offers year-round whale watching tours to observe the spectacular diversity and abundance of whales and dolphins inhabiting the Bay. Our trips are led by experienced marine biologists, including owner and lead naturalist Nancy Black, expert on the biology of marine mammals in Monterey Bay and Moss Landing.
The Monterey Submarine Canyon approaches close to the shore, allowing us to spot deep water species of whales, dolphins, and seabirds near the coast. Shallow water species, such as the gray whale, are found very close to shore in the narrow shelf region.
Depending on the season, whales and dolphins that are frequently observed include Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales, Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, Northern Right Whale Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Killer Whales, and Dall’s Porpoise. We occasionally spot Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Harbor Porpoise, Bottlenose Dolphins, and Beaked Whales.
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MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH IN THE NEWS
February 25, 2025 – abc News: Thousands of dolphins swim together in California’s Monterey Bay
February 25, 2025 – AP News: Rare video captures super pod of 2,000 dolphins breaching and playing off Califoria coast
January 29, 2025 – ABC 6: “Super pod” of 1,500+ dolphins, whales recorded by drone camera off California coast
January 29, 2025 – AP News: A miles-long cluster of dolphins has been filmed leaping and gliding across Carmel Bay off the central coast of California, forming an unusual “super pod” of more than 1,500 of the marine creatures.
November 3, 2024 – Daily Mail: Read featured stories about how mysterious clicking sounds reveal rare apex predator lurking in California: ‘Sounded like a human machine’
October 11, 2024 – SFGATE: Read featured stories about killer whales spotted doing seemingly ‘cruel’ act by Central California coast.
DISCOVER THE EXTRAORDINARY WITH MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH
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DIRECTIONS/MAPS
Coming from north of Monterey, from San Francisco or the Bay area: Take highway 101 south, take the Highway 156 west exit to Castroville, then turn onto Highway 1 south, then take the Pacific Grove / Del Monte exit (Exit #402B) off of Highway 1. Follow the signs to Fisherman’s Wharf. If you are coming from the Bay area or San Francisco, do not take Highway 1 the whole way unless you allow plenty of extra time. It takes about 2 hours from San Francisco to Monterey following the above directions.
Coming from south of Monterey: If you are coming from southern California, take Highway 101 north to Highway 68 and the Monterey Peninsula exit. This will take you through Salinas on Highway 68. This will lead to Highway 1, stay in the left lane and follow signs to Monterey then follow signs to Fisherman’s Wharf (on Del Monte Ave). If you are coming from Carmel or up the coast on Highway 1 from Big Sur, take the Munras exit (exit #399) and follow the signs to Fisherman’s Wharf.
Walk down the Wharf with all the restaurants and shops; near the end turn right at the Crab House Restaurant and you will see a large red sign that says “Monterey Bay Whale Watch Center”.