Best price guarantee
Best price guarantee
Your trip will take place on either 110 ft. The Princess Monterey, or The Atlantis Monterey. You’ll enjoy a heated cabin, snack bar with both hot and cold beverages and snacks and spacious seating around the boat.
The Atlantis Monterey and Princess Monterey boats have limited VIP upper deck seating available for an additional charge at the time of purchase.
Princess Monterey Whale Watching Cruises
Princess Monterey Whale Watching has been in the cruise business for over 30 years and holds the reputation as the area’s leading company in narrated ocean and bay tours, specializing in natural history and biology of marine wildlife, especially whales!
The deep, cold, nutrient-rich waters of Monterey Bay are the perfect place to get an up-close view of exotic marine life. The Bay is home to the third largest submarine canyon in the world, which feeds many diverse marine mammals and sea birds.
Princess Monterey Whale Watching is dedicated to customer service, so you’ll get an amazing experience every time!"
FOR SAFETY REASONS WE DO NOT TAKE KIDS UNDER 3 YEARS OLD OR PREGNANT WOMEN ON OUR TRIPS
During this 2.5 - 3 hour, fully narrated tour, you have the opportunity to see:
Gray Whale Migration (Dec - Apr): a few miles from the coast, the Gray Whale Highway runs along the third deepest submarine canyon in the world
Blue and Humpback Whales (Apr - Nov): rich feeding areas are home to a variety of summer whales, such as fin whales, minke whales, orcas (killer whales), and mighty blue whales (the largest animal to inhabit the earth)
Dolphins and Porpoises: (year-round): looking for food or just playing in the bay
Sea birds, Seals, Sea Lions, Sea Otters and other marine life
Check out our Whale Watch Report below in the Frequently Asked Questions!
Every trip is different, so whether it's your first time or you're a veteran, come on out and see what the magical Monterey Bay will reveal today!
What Is Not Included?
You are always welcome to bring any food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Meeting Location
Fisherman's Wharf (Monterey Bay, CA)
(Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)
Can I upgrade my ticket to the VIP sky deck?
Yes, for an additional $20.00 per person, you can purchase an upgrade. If you would like to do so, please select the VIP Upper Deck option when purchasing your ticket. 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.
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 the boats handicapped accessible?
We do not allow walkers or wheel chairs on our boats due to the safety of all passengers. Unfortunately, there are 14 steps down to our loading area and one large step onto the boat over the water 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.
Can you bring dogs?
As much as we love dogs we do not allow them on the boats. This is for your dogs comfort and safety. However, service animals are allowed on board, but not a therapy dog.
Are there age restrictions?
We do not take children under 3 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 110 ft. Princess Monterey departs at 9am, 12:30 and 3:30. The 100ft Atlantis Monterey departs at 10am and 2:00pm and 5pm. 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 2.5 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.
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?
Both boats have a snack bar with snack and drinks including beer and wine for sale. You are welcome to bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages onboard.
Can I bring alcohol on the cruise?
Beer and wine for sale in the snack bar. No outside alcohol is allowed on the boat.
Where does the trip end?
The cruise returns to the same pier from which it departed.
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 VIP upper deck?
For an additional $20.00 per person, you may upgrade your tickets to be allowed on the upper deck of ""The Atlantis"" or ""The Princess.""
Can I smoke on the boat?
No, the Princess Monterey and the Atlantis Monterey are completely non-smoking, including both the inside and the decks.
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 3 - 6 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!
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 cards?
Yes, gift cards are available and make perfect gifts for holidays, birthdays or any other occasion!
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.
Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled.
Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.
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 3 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 3 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.
Parking
IF USING GPS USE THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS FOR ACCURATE DIRECTIONS TO THE PARKING AREAS:
There is construction currently happening in the Fisherman's Wharf Parking Waterfront Lots so please allow extra time to find parking.
The Waterfront Lots are now PREPAID** lots so be sure to pay for your parking before heading to the boat. There are currently 2 pay stations at the parking lot or you can download the ParkMobile app or pay online at ParkMobile.io
WATERFRONT LOT THE LOT ZONE IS #21031 USING THE PARKMOBILE APP.
245 WASHINGTON ST.
MONTEREY CA 93940
OR
HERITAGE HARBOR PARKING GARAGE
100 PACIFIC ST.
MONTEREY CA 93940
Princess Monterey Whale Watching is located at the end of the historic Old Fisherman’s Wharf #1 in Monterey, CA. From Pacific Coast Highway 1, follow the signs to Fisherman’s Wharf where you wil
Check-In Information
Please arrive 45 minutes before your scheduled departure to check in.This confirmation is Not your ticket please check in in the shop for your boarding passes upon arrival!
Limited Upper Deck Seating
Upper deck access/seating is available on the Princess Monterey and Atlantis Monterey for an additional fee at the time of purchase or check in if there is remaining availability.
What to Wear
The wind and temperature on the water can be significantly cooler so we recommend that you dress in warm layers, wear long pants, and a warm windproof jacket.
Also a wide brimmed hat or baseball cap and a warm cap along with flat-soled closed toed shoes are a good idea. The Bay gets sunny so bring sunglasses and don't forget sunblock and chapstick.
What to Bring
Bring your camera! There are plenty of photo opportunities along the way that you won't want to miss. Some of our best pictures come from our guests!
If you'd like to purchase additional beverages or snacks on board, be sure to bring some extra cash! You are always welcome to bring any food or drinks of your own that you would like to enjoy along the way!
Other Tips & Guidelines
NOTE: SOMETIMES DEPARTURES MAY BE DELAYED UP TO 30 MINUTES DUE TO WEATHER, LATE RETURNING PREVIOUS TRIP, OR OTHER CONDITIONS. TRIPS MAY ALSO BE CANCELLED AT ANYTIME DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE TRIP MUST MEET A MINIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE. ALL EFFORT WILL BE MADE TO INFORM GUEST OF ANY CANCELLATION OR CHANGES Thank you for your patience if this comes up.
Check out the Pirate's Cove Gift Shop or dine at Old Fisherman's Grotto located along the wharf!
Please keep in mind that the cruise can last between 2.5 and 3 hours, so plan the rest of your day in Monterey accordingly.
Important:
Any directions or maps provided by Princess Monterey Whale Watching are only a rough guide. You are responsible for arriving at the activity's meeting location on time, so make sure to check with a second source that can provide specific directions from your starting point.
