Whale Watching · USA

The 15 Best Whale Watching Tours in the USA

95 tours  ·  from $27 a head

Three coasts, three different animals: humpbacks feeding in Alaska, grays passing California twice a year, and resident orca in the Salish Sea. The 15 below sort them by month, price and how far offshore the boat actually goes.

Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching - How the whale watching actually works
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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

1.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7,379 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $177Our pick

Meet Alaska Tales beneath the Mt. Roberts Tramway tent, ride past Mendenhall Glacier to Auke Bay, then spend about two hours watching humpback whales from a heated boat with outdoor decks. Naturalists such as Kacie, Genevieve, Ashley, and Nate explain whale behavior, family groups, and safe viewing practices.

“Big kudos to Michelle (Captain), Ashley and Sophie. Go girl power!! This tour was amazing. Though the day was rainy and windy, these group of lady did a wonderful job making sure we were able to see some whale. This is my first time booking a tour through this company and I recommend it. Wonderful job!!!”

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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier - From glacier forest to whale water
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Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

2.Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,236 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $249

Spend about an hour at Mendenhall Glacier, then board a warm, windowed boat with an outdoor deck to search for humpback whales, orcas, seals, and eagles. Guides such as Captain Michelle, Nate, Taylor, and Jay add local detail, while round-trip transport keeps this cruise-friendly.

“Great tour at the Mendenhall glacier visitor center and picturesque hike around. Our bus driver was very knowledgeable about the area and gave great advice on food and shopping in Juneau. The boat trip was also manned by local experts and very fun seeing multiple whales and sea lions. Would definitely recommend this tour!”

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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise - Why Stellwagen Bank matters
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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

3.Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,710 reviews · 3h 30m · from $85

Cruise from Boston’s Long Wharf to Stellwagen Bank aboard a high-speed whale-watching boat with outdoor decks, indoor seating, snacks, and New England Aquarium Naturalists. Expect expert commentary, changing sea conditions, and a real chance to see humpback, fin, and minke whales in the wild.

“We were very lucky to have a fine day for this activity and although I do suffer from motion sickness I felt absolutely fine for the whole trip. We were given an interesting dialogue on the way out to the whale watching area and it was wonderful to manage to see three magnificent whales.”

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Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester - The ride out: why speed matters
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Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester

4.Whale Watching Tour in Gloucester

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,460 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $48

From Gloucester, board the 115-foot Hurricane II for a roughly 4-hour search for humpback and fin whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Naturalists such as Jessica and Tina explain the wildlife, while indoor seating, a galley, and wide viewing decks make the trip comfortable.

“Excellent trip. Captain and crew were fabulous. Loved it and will be back. Pitcher and Satchula were beautiful hump back whales.”

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City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat - Why Stellwagen Bank matters
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City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat

5.City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,115 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Leave Boston’s Long Wharf aboard a high-speed catamaran for a 3.5-hour whale watch at Stellwagen Bank. An onboard naturalist points out humpbacks, fin whales, minkes, dolphins, and seabirds, while indoor seating, restrooms, and a snack bar make the long ride easier.

“Great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well worth it. Very educational and interesting!!!!!!!!!!”

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Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina - December through April: searching for humpbacks
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Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina

6.Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,482 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85

Board a small zodiac raft at 1223 Front Street in Lahaina for a 2.5-hour wildlife trip. From December to April, search for humpback whales and hear their songs through a hydrophone. In summer, the focus shifts to dolphins and coastal views. Expect spray, sun, and a close-to-the-water ride.

“We had a great experience! The captain Jack worked very hard to give us a great experience! Highly recommend!”

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San Diego: Whale Watching Cruise - Marine biology narration that adds meaning
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San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

7.San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,317 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85

Board America, a replica of the 1851 America’s Cup winner, at Shelter Island for a 4 to 4.5-hour whale-watching sail. Your crew, including guides such as Fathom when scheduled, shares facts about marine life and Navy landmarks. Expect open decks, snacks, blankets, and cold Pacific air.

“Great experience and everyone will have a great view. The guide was very knowledgeable and we saw a couple of grey whales.”

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Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour - From Discovery Whale Watch to Old Fisherman’s Wharf
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Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

8.Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,300 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $75

Cruise from Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with a marine biologist. Guides such as Isaiah and Maddy explain the wildlife while you look for humpbacks, gray whales, blue whales, orcas, dolphins, sea lions, and otters. Bring layers and motion-sickness medicine.

“Excellent, guide (Isiah) was very good/knowledgeable, (also very good at singing sea shanty’s!); sightings very good, 90 minutes sailing alongside a family of 5 Orca, then lots of White Sided Dolphin bow riding the boat. Fabulous.”

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Whale Watching Trips to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. Guaranteed sightings! - The boat ride and finding the first whale
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Whale Watching Trips to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. Guaranteed sightings!

9.Whale Watching Trips to Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary. Guaranteed sightings!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,135 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $45

Sail from Gloucester with 7 Seas Whale Watch for 3.5 to 4 hours among the whales and dolphins of Stellwagen Bank. A naturalist such as Cindy or Amanda explains marine life while the captain searches for feeding pods. Expect open-air viewing, indoor seating, a restroom, snacks for sale, and a $5 fuel surcharge.

“We were able to see multiple whales so close and things are so calm. It was awesome.! The staff was great. The drink area was great. Bathroom was relatively clean.”

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2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki - Diamond Head from a whale-watching boat
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2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki

10.2-Hour Oahu Whale Watch from Ala Wai Harbor, Waikiki

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,929 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49

Join Captain Logan and the crew at Ala Wai Harbor for a two-hour whale watch from Waikiki. From December through May, you’ll scan for humpbacks, dolphins, turtles, and flying fish while learning about whale behavior through live narration and an onboard hydrophone.

“Captain and crew were great, very accommodating, knowledgeable and fun! We saw a sea turtle, and monk seal! No whales, but we did get a voucher to go back anytime! Will be back!”

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Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour - The first wildlife: otters, seals, and seabirds
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Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

11.Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,645 reviews · 3 hours · from $62

Cruise from Old Fisherman’s Wharf with Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching for three hours of wildlife spotting. Guides such as Kevin explain whale behavior, migration, and Monterey Bay’s ecology while the captain searches for humpbacks, gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, birds, and, sometimes, orcas.

“Was able to see whales, sea lions and migrant birds it was worth it”

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San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise - Searching the Open Pacific for Whales
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San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

12.San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,588 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

Cruise from Mission Bay into the Pacific in about 10 minutes, with naturalists and crew pointing out whales, dolphins, sea lions, and landmarks. Allison and Jennifer have earned special praise for clear, engaging commentary. Expect a scenic, sometimes chilly boat ride with wildlife sightings that can never be guaranteed.

“What an amazing experience. We saw 2 Grey Whales and several pods of dolphins throughout our cruise. The weather was perfect and the staff were very accommodating. I highly recommend this cruise.”

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From Maalaea: Whale Watching Tour Aboard the Quicksilver - Two hours on a double-deck catamaran
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From Maalaea: Whale Watching Tour Aboard the Quicksilver

13.Maalaea: Whale Watching Tour Aboard the Quicksilver

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,461 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $49

Board the Quicksilver at Maalaea Harbor for a two-hour whale watch from December through April. The high-speed catamaran reaches Maui’s whale waters quickly, while the captain and crew explain whale behavior. You get hydrophone songs, shaded seating, restrooms, and free juice and soda.

“Great team on board, knowledgeable, keep it fun and informative👍, the whales were all over the area”

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Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour - Balboa Pavilion, 400 Main Street
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Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour

14.Newport Beach: 2-Hour Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,375 reviews · 2 hours · from $27Best value

From Balboa Pavilion, you’ll cruise Newport Harbor and the coast with an English-speaking guide, watching for blue, fin, gray, humpback, and minke whales. Captains such as Hunter and Kayla also track dolphins, sea lions, and birds. Bring a jacket, arrive early for parking, and remember that whales are never guaranteed.

“Super well run, and the guide/announcer was great -- she sang songs that were fun, told interesting data, got wxcited when we spotted pods of dolphin. She made it more fun for everyone.”

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3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska - From downtown Juneau to Auke Bay
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3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska

15.3.5 Hour Crowd-Skipping Whale Tour in Juneau, Alaska

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,164 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $189

Join Juneau Whale Tours for a 3.5-hour outing with roughly 2.25 hours on the water aboard a heated 40-foot catamaran. TJ, Andrew, Cedar, and other local crew members share wildlife facts while you watch for humpbacks, sea lions, bald eagles, glaciers, and seals.

“Another excellent excursion with JWT. The crew was amazing and could not be more helpful and accommodating. We saw several whales and some incredible flying squirrels!!!”

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New in USA Whale Watching Tours

★ 4.52 Hour Waikiki Whale Watching Cruise from OahuFrom $40139 reviews
★ 4.5Whale Watch Cruise Aboard The MajesticFrom $85193 reviews
★ 5.0Whale Watch and Turtles SnorkelFrom $138122 reviews
★ 5.0Ultimate 3.5 hour Whale Watch & SnorkelFrom $19587 reviews
★ 3.5Honolulu, Oahu: Waikiki Whale Watching CruiseFrom $39166 reviews
★ 5.0Best Whale Watching and Wildlife Shore Excursion in SitkaFrom $205103 reviews
★ 4.5Amazing Whale Watching and Marine Wildlife Shore ExcursionFrom $19974 reviews
★ 5.0A Comfortable Sitka Whale Watching Wildlife Shore ExcursionFrom $22524 reviews
★ 5.0Sitka Premier Whale Watching and Wildlife TourFrom $190114 reviews
★ 4.5Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset CruiseFrom $71249 reviews
★ 5.0West Maui Sunset Whale Watch117 reviews
★ 5.0Guaranteed Whale Watching TourFrom $119239 reviews
★ 5.0Kenai Fjords Orca Quest CruiseFrom $165137 reviews
★ 4.8Seward: Resurrection Bay Orca Quest CruiseFrom $16566 reviews
★ 4.5Early Bird Whale Watching Cruise from WaikikiFrom $68202 reviews

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