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Activity #808

The Princess Monterey Whale Watching Cruise

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THURS 11/26 THANKSGIVING DAY HUMPBACK WHALES-JUMPERS!! RISSO'S DOLPHINS NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS PACIFIC WHITESIDED DOLPHINS WEDS 11/25 ANOTHER FANTASTIC DAY ON THE BAY!! LOTS OF HUMPBACK WHALES!! 400 TO 500 RISSO'S DOLPHINS!! TUES 11/24 BEAUTIFUL WEATHER!! HUMPBACK WHALES! RISSO'S DOLPHINS DALL'S PORPOISE NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS MON 11/23 LOTS OF HUMPBACK WHALES!! SUN 11/22 ANOTHER GREAT DAY ON THE BAY!! HUMPBACK WHALES!! RISSO'S DOLPHINS PACIFIC WHITESIDED DOLPHINS NORTHERN RIGHT WHALE DOLPHINS SAT 11/21 FANTASTIC!! LOTS OF HUMPBACK WHALES!! RISSO'S DOLPHINS!! Also bonus sightings at any time, several different species of dolphins including the Orcas "Killer Whales", Risso's Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Dall's Porpoise also Sea Otters, Sea Lions, Spotted Harbor Seals and a variety of marine birds. Bring the cameras!! "We're Saving the Whales for You!" Reports by: Benji Shake-Owner

While we can’t guarantee a whale sighting every trip, our experience has allowed us to maintain an unsurpassed record for success in the Monterey Bay area! If you do not see a marine mammal, you will receive a voucher to come back for another trip for free.

Generally the 10am trip is the calmer trip of the day, but that really depends on the weather for the day as well. However if the weather is fair the whale watching is good all day long!!

This trip will take place on the 100 ft Princess Monterey or the 75 ft Pacific Explorer. The Pacific Explorer sits lower on the water and provides a close-up view of all animals. You'll also get a chance to find out what blubber mitts are and use them to learn how whale blubber works (weekends only).

The kinds of whales that you see depend on the time of year. During the winter (December through April), you’ll most likely see California Gray Whales, who generally travel only a few short miles from the coast. During the rest of the year (April through November), popular sightings include humpback whales, fin whales, minke whales, orcas (killer whales), and mighty blue whales (the largest animal to inhabit the earth).

There is plenty of wildlife in the area, such as seals (including the Harbor seal and Northern Elephant Seal), sea lions (including the California Sea Lion, Stellar Sea Lion, and Northern Fur Seal), dolphins (including the Common Dolphin, Risso's Dolphin, Pacific White-sided Dolphin, Northern Right Whale Dolphin, and Bottlenose Dolphin), porpoises (including the Harbor Porpoise and Dall's Porpoise), Southern Sea Otters, Leatherback Sea Turtles, and various seabirds (including loons, grebes, black-footed albatross, shearwaters, pelicans, cormorants, phalaropes, jaegers, gulls, terns, and alcids), along with sharks, ocean sun fish, and jellyfish.

The cruise lasts between 2 1/2 to 3 hours, depending on how far/long we have to travel to locate where the whales are for that day (duration may also be impacted by the condition of the sea).

Sometimes departures may be delayed up to 30 minutes due to weather,late returns previous trip,or other conditions determined by staff. Thank You for your patience if this were to happen.

Because the distribution of whales and dolphins in the Monterey Bay depends on their migration route or where their food is located, we may have to travel between 2 and 16 miles (3 and 26 km) from the harbor.

Severe weather in this area of California is rare and cruises will proceed as scheduled in light rain and other mild weather conditions. Both our boats are enclosed with plenty of large windows, so your visibility shouldn't be impaired! In the rare event that a cruise for which you have purchased tickets is cancelled, you will have the opportunity to to reschedule your tickets (subject to availability), receive credit towards a future event, or receive a full refund.

Advanced purchase is strongly recommended, as cruises often sell out well in advance. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book as far ahead of time as possible.

If the day and time you are looking for has not yet been added to the calendar, we encourage you to keep checking back on the website, as we extend our schedule regularly.

For safety reasons due to the inherent motion of the boat, children under the age of 3 and expecting mothers are not allowed on the cruise. If you are bringing a child between the ages of 3 and 12, you can purchase a reduced price Child ticket.

We follow the federal whale watching guidelines; stopping the boat at least 300 ft (91 m) away from the whales and allowing the whales to approach us. The California coast offers a unique opportunity to observe whales and other marine wildlife year round. We offer a safe, fun, and educational trip for the whole family to enjoy.

We recommend that you dress in warm layers, wear long pants, and a warm windproof jacket. A wide brimmed hat or baseball cap and a warm cap, along with flat-soled closed toed shoes are also a good idea. The Bay gets sunny, so bring sunglasses and don't forget sunblock and chapstick.

You are able to bring wine and beer on the cruise, but nothing with a higher alcohol content. You are also able to purchase wine and beer at the snack bar during the cruise.

The cruise returns to the same pier from which it departed.

Unfortunately, there are 14 steps down to our loading area that are not passable by a wheelchair. If you are mobile and able to navigate the steps, our friendly staff is always willing to assist you. If you need more information, please click on "Contact this seller".

Yes! Both boats are equipped with large, clean restrooms for your convenience.

There is some room on the boat where you may store your belongings. Please keep in mind that these areas are not guarded, so we cannot take responsibility for any broken, lost or missing items. But we have not had any problems with items being left on prior cruises.

Yes! We are animal-friendly, and we'd love to have your well-behaved pet on the trip with us.

No, the Princess Monterey and the Pacific Explorer are completely non-smoking, including both the inside and the decks. If you would like to smoke, you may do so on the dock area before or after the cruise.

Although modern and speedy, our boats are steady and gentle. It is very rare for our guests to become seasick. While most people do not experience any sea sickness, you may want to consider light medication if you normally take it for motion sickness. We cannot officially advise you to take any medication, however.

Absolutely! Your safety is our number one concern. Both of our boats meet the latest United States Coast Guard regulations carrying life vests for all passengers and all other required safety equipment. All kids age 3 - 8 years of age must wear a life vest for the duration of the cruise (children under 3 are not allowed on the cruise). And our trained crew is always there to help!

Yes! You can visit our shop for great deals on hats, sweatshirts, jackets, and more!

We are approximately 2.5 hours from either San Francisco and Oakland airports, and approximately 1.5 hours from San Jose International Airport. Whether you are coming from or heading to the airport, please note that traffic may be heavier at times, so allow yourself ample travel time.

Yes, our cruises are only conducted in English. However, our non-English speaking guests always enjoy the beauty of the area and the experience of watching exotic marine life. For by-appointment private charters, we can arrange for a translator to accompany the cruise. Click on "Contact the seller" for more information.

Yes! Gift certificates for Princess Monterey Whale Watching are great for any occasion. To purchase a gift certificate, click on the "Contact this seller" link.

Yes! We offer cruises for private charters, marine education field trips for school groups, conferences, corporate events, family outings, and much more - any size, any occasion, any time! We can accommodate a variety of special requests. Please use the "Contact this seller" link to inquire further.

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