| Rating |
Date Attended [v] |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
|
whale watching
|
| Sun, Mar 9 9:00 AM |
belugalove3 |
Female |
30-39 |
Local |
Family With Children |
| We had a fantastic trip and saw tons of wildlife! The crew was great and very knowledgeable! Can't wait to go again! |
|
|
Irreplacable Memories
|
| Fri, Mar 7 10:30 AM |
LWaldren |
Female |
60-69 |
Combination |
Group of Friends |
| The Sanctuary and crew were prompt, attentive, well informed, patient. The sea cooperated...glassy smooth all the way out. Some clouds, indirect sun for most of the trip.
A pod of California Grey (Gray) Whales and a lone young adult Humpback showed off and teased respectively. Otters were charming as always.
All five of us had a great time. My daughter and I especially enjoyed the time we had sitting in front of the wheelhouse on the return trip...no one else wanted to sit in the brisk cold so we had the sea and sky and salt spray all to ourselves.
Cha! as my friend Muckee would say! Way fine day. |
|
|
Great trip
|
| Fri, Mar 7 10:30 AM |
mtwhalelvrs |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Other |
| this was my daughter and mine 4th trip with Sanctuary. we come down to Monterey from Montana to specifically watch whales with Captain Andy and his crew. I would not go out with anybody else. They are very helpful and always make sure that you have a enjoyable trip. Last trip we saw Gray whales and the first humpback whale of the season/ sea otters, sea Lions. we will definitely return. |
|
|
Excellent Day Trip on a Beautiful Day on the Bay
|
| Fri, Mar 7 10:30 AM |
mturangan |
Male |
30-39 |
Local |
Couple on a Date |
| A few words on our excellent whale watching adventure... It was a very educational day for us as the crew was extremely knowledgeable and friendly. They were very eco-friendly as well for we stopped a couple of times to pick up trash in the ocean. (It is quite disturbing how some garbage ends up in the ocean and we were able to view the impact it can have.) The crew was also cautious not to impose on the various sea life in their natural environment. We left promptly in the morning and was expecting a small glimpse of a whale. We were surprised to have seen a half dozen grey whales and the first sighting of a humpback for the year. As for the boat, it was comfortable with a clean rest room and snacks. We highly recommend Sanctuary Cruise and are planning a return trip. |
|
|
Whales Ahoy Matey!
|
| Tue, Mar 4 9:30 AM |
blossomgirl |
Female |
30-39 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Couple on a Date |
| Noel is a great, safe sturdy captain with lots of information clearly presented and done so with a smile. We saw whales which is what we came out for. Weather was perfect. I would do it again and recommend SANCTUARY to all I know who may be going. Loved the little taqueria with the glorious flower pots our captain suggested. Nothing bad to say except I wish there had been more people to make it worth your while as I know fuel is costly and five seems a little short of what you may need to at least break even. So thank you for not canceling the trip as it would not have been as fun a trip to Monterey area without the whales and whale watching experience. Noel even was gentlemanly enough to turn the boat around to scoop my hat out of the bay and also he removed a bouquet of errant ballons which would most likely cause harm to sea life. Noel is awesome! . THANK YOU! A++++ |
|
Very Enjoyable
|
| Sat, Mar 1 9:00 AM |
LolaBruton |
Female |
40-49 |
Local |
Group of Friends |
| Overall it was a fun experience and the crew was knowledgeable and entertaining. We had white caps to contend with which we thought made the trip more of a fun adventure. Unfortunately we did not see any whales on this outing, however we were all given a rain check for another whale watching trip which certainly confirmed ongoing future trips for me and my friends. |
|
|
Whales: 0 Experience 7-8
|
| Sat, Mar 1 9:00 AM |
bkrh6687 |
Female |
60-69 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Group of Friends |
| Altho the seas were rough & we did not see any whales, it was a good experience. I was especially impressed when we received complimentary passes for another try. If possible, I will try to go again. The crew was very friendly, helpful.....& I would definitely go with you again if I can work it out. |
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|
What a great way to spend a day!
|
| Mon, Feb 18 9:00 AM |
mrsj_53 |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| We had a fabulous trip with Sanctuary. We stayed at the local RV park and walked from the park to the boat dock as well as the great area restaurants. The day was a bit overcast but we still saw gray whales and of course, sea otters and seals. We were greatly surprised when after watching the grays for a period of time, our captain enthusiastically announced that we were setting course in a northernly direction because of a report of orcas. We were able to locate and observe these magnificent creatures before heading back to harbor. I have been on many similar excursions in Hawaii, Mexico, Washington and Monterey Bay and this was one of the best. It was certainly more entertaining than those out of Monterey Bay and far less crowded. Sanctuay offers whale watching year round and I suspect that they are pretty successful at spotting whales. One passenger said that he regularly goes out on Sanctuary because he has never been disappointed. The captain and his first mate were extremely knowledgeable about the area and sealife and gave us just enough information without being overbearing. Passengers had plenty of room to walk around . They easily accomodated my daughter and her wheelchair. I will definitely book this cruise in the future and recommend this cruise for whale lovers of all ages.. |
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|
Fantastic way to enjoy my birthday!
|
| Sun, Feb 17 9:00 AM |
Darlene123 |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Couple on a Date |
| We started out on our first whale-watching cruise with excitement, not knowing what to expect. The overall experience was Outstanding. Captain Andy and Crewmate Jane made the adventure memorable. Captain Andy gave detailed narrations and answered everyone's questions. Jane moved throughout the group providing individual narrations, sharing her own experiences. Every seat was a "winner."
The weather was cool, and dressing in layers is a plus. The waters were relatively calm, and the undulating waves were relaxing, providing special marine life viewing. We saw sea otters, sea lions, birds galore, some shy harbor dolphins, and
dense schools of jellyfish. The skies were overcast, but once near Cypress Point,
the sun shone brightly and the horizon glimmered. We patiently waited to see our
first whale sighting. A sharp-eyed passenger next to us, made the first sighting of the first grays. We waited, and they were elusive. From there, another keen-eyed passenger sighted two more grays in another area, and we clearly saw the graceful swimming of the grays and the jets of spray coming from their blow holes. Captain Andy trailed them and another three for awhile, and he took the time to enhance and extend our viewing experience. The personal touch and interest shown by Captain Andy and Jane were the distinguishing marks in making the trip fantastic. They definitely love what they do, and it certainly adds to the participant's own experience. We highly recommend Sanctuary Cruises, and will be back soon to view the upcoming humpbacks. Thanks Andy and Jane for making my birthday extra-special. |
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|
Watching the Grey Whales
|
| Sat, Feb 16 9:00 AM |
janicebaxter |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
| The tour operator put a lot of efffort in getting us as close to the whales as is legally allowed. Unfortunately, whales dive after blowing from their water hole more than three times so we were not able to see the entire whale. This was no fault of the tour operator, just nature. We were able to see an impressive, up close view of giant dolpins swimming. |
