Princess Monterey Whale Watching Cruises

What Is Not Included?

Meeting Location

Whale Watching Report

For our daily sightings please visit our website: http://www.montereywhalewatching.com/sightings/captains-report

Do you guarantee that I'll see a whale on every trip?

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 whale and/or dolphin, you will receive a voucher to come back for another trip for free.

Are there age restrictions?

We do not take children under 5 years of age.

Can pregnant women attend the trip?

No, for safety reasons pregnant women are not allowed on the trips.

When is the best trip of the day?

Generally the morning trips are the calmer trips 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!!

Which boat will I be on?

The Greatland departs at 9am, 12:30pm and 3:30pm. The 100 ft Princess Monterey departs at 10am, 1:30pm and 4:30pm. Princess Monterey Whale Watching reserves the right to substitute one vessel for the other at any time without prior notice.

What kind of whales will I see?

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).

What other marine life should I expect to see?

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.

How long is the tour?

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).

Do your trips depart on time?

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.

How far do we have to travel to view whales?

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.

Can I upgrade my ticket for the sky deck on "The Greatland"?

Yes, for an additional $20.00 per person, you can purchase an upgrade on The Greatland for a premium viewing spot. Please note that you will also be able to see the whales from the lower deck. To see which boat is going out at a specific time, please check the box at the top of the page where dates and times are listed.

What happens in the event of bad weather?

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.

Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?

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.

What if I want tickets for a future day not listed?

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.

How close can we get?

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.

How should we dress?

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.

Can I bring my own food or drinks?

Beverages and snacks are available on the boat from the snack bar but are not included in the price of the cruise (around $2 each). You are always welcome to bring any food or drinks of your own that you would like to enjoy along the way!

Can I bring alcohol on the cruise?

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.

Where does the trip end?

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

Are the boats handicapped accessible?

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 MontereyWW" on the left of the page.

Are there rest rooms on the boats?

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

Can I stow anything (eg, my briefcase) during the cruise?

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.

How much does it cost to upgrade my ticket for the sky deck on "The Greatland"?

For an additional $20.00 per person you may upgrade your tickets at check-in to be allowed on the upper deck of "The Greatland" on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Can I smoke on the boat?

No, the Princess Monterey and the Greatland 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.

Am I likely to get seasick?

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.

Are the boats safe?

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 5 - 8 years of age must wear a life vest for the duration of the cruise (children under 5 are not allowed on the cruise). And our trained crew is always there to help!

Do you offer Princess Monterey Whale Watching merchandise?

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

How far are you from the major airports?

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.

Are the cruises conducted in English only?

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. Please click on "Contact MontereyWW" on the left of the page for more information.

Can I purchase a gift certificate?

Yes, gift certificates are available and make perfect gifts for holidays, birthdays or any other occasion! To purchase a gift certificate, please click on the "Gift Certificates: Purchase" link in the box above.

Can I book a private cruise?

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 click on "Contact MontereyWW" on the left of the page to inquire further.

Can you bring dogs?

Yes, dogs are welcome!

Refund/Rescheduling Policy

Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled.

Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.

Other Policies

Activity may be cancelled due to severe weather.

Activity usually runs in light rain and moderate weather, but the seller may cancel the activity up to an hour before start time in the event of severe or unsafe weather conditions. In the rare situation the seller must cancel the event prior to departure, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule tickets (subject to availability), receive credit for a future event, or receive a full refund.

Children under 5 and pregnant women are not allowed on the trip.

For safety reasons due to the boat's inherent motion, pregnant women and children under the age of 5 are not allowed to attend the cruise.

Participants must sign a US Coast Guard passenger registry.

All participants are required to sign a US Coast Guard passenger registry before boarding the vessel. Parents or guardians must sign for children. This is required by law.

Princess Monterey Whale Watching Cruises