Free Concierge Service
    Text or call 1-877-GREET-WELL
    Ask AIAI
    Ask AIAI
    1. Local experiences
    2. /Things to do in Santa Cruz…
    3. /Animal Encounters
    4. /Wildlife Safaris
    5. /Santa Cruz Shark & Wildlife Cruise
    Why travelers choose Greetwell

    Curated by our team

    Every experience is hand selected and approved by Greetwell.

    Personal concierge

    Real humans available to help before, during, and after your booking.

    Intimate & authentic

    Including unique in-home experiences you won't find anywhere else.

    Easy booking & cancellation

    Reserve in minutes with free cancellation on most experiences.

    Greetwell

    Experiences that stay with you long after the trip

    Greetwell curates authentic local experiences and provides personal concierge support in over 500 destinations, helping you explore confidently wherever you go.

    About

    • Our Story
    • For Experience Providers
    • For Hospitality Partners
    • For Developers

    Resources

    • Travel Guides
    • Help Center
    [email protected]1-877-GREET-WELL

    Safe & Secure Payments

    © 2026 Greetwell, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Privacy PolicyTerms
    Product image 1
    Product image 2
    Product image 3
    Product image 4
    Product image 5
    Product image 6
    Product image 7
    Product image 8
    Product image 9
    Product image 10
    Gallery image
    Gallery image 1
    Gallery image 2
    Gallery image 3
    Gallery image 5

    Santa Cruz Shark & Wildlife Cruise

    Search northern Monterey Bay for sharks and marine wildlife with expert naturalist insight

    4.8 stars• 1.7K reviews
    From$55/ personincl. taxes and fees

    Duration

    2 hours

    Includes

    Naturalist guide, life jackets

    Highlights

    Explore northern Monterey Bay's nearshore waters on a wildlife-focused cruise led by a marine biologist or expert naturalist. Look for sharks, seals, sea lions, sea otters, dolphins, seabirds, and possibly whales; sightings vary.

    • Search coastal waters for sharks and other marine wildlife
    • Learn about the animals you see from a marine biologist or expert naturalist
    • Listen to captain narration on local historical points of interest
    • Capture wildlife photos from the boat
    • Use indoor seating, awnings, and the onboard restroom

    Important details

    • Arrive 45 minutes before departure for check-in
    • Complete the electronic waiver for every passenger before arrival
    • Minors must attend with a parent or guardian
    • Pregnant travelers must consult a doctor and sign a special waiver
    • Trips run rain or shine unless severe or unsafe weather requires cancellation
    • Bring only food and non-alcoholic drinks; outside alcohol is not allowed and coolers must be under 20 inches long
    • Leave pets at home
    • Wheelchair access requires climbing 4 stairs with assistance or being carried between the dock and boat
    • If you park at the harbor, parking is not included in the listed price and costs $2 per hour; use a physical credit card at the pay boxes

    Cancellation Policy

    Non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. If the operator cancels due to severe or unsafe weather, you may request a refund.

    FAQs

    This cruise is not suitable for pregnant guests for safety reasons. If you still want to attend, consult your doctor first; a special waiver is required.

    No. The crew will try to see as much marine wildlife as possible, but conditions can change and sightings are not guaranteed.

    Wear warm layers and rubber-soled shoes. Bring sunscreen, a camera, binoculars, and motion-sickness medication if you need it; polarized sunglasses help for shark viewing.

    Meeting details

    789 Mariner Park Way, Dock F, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

    Experience provided by Stagnaro Charters

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    Reference #KB2QQT

    Adult

    $55.12

    0

    Child

    $37.10

    Between ages 4 and 13

    0

    Infant

    $2.12

    Ages 3 and younger

    0

    Adult with Binocular Rental

    $61.48

    Limited capacity of 12

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.8
    Excellent
    1.7K reviews•Google Maps
    62
    8
    2
    2
    7

    Captain Jason and his crew consistently deliver solid fishing experiences, with many regulars returning year after year. The boats are clean and well-maintained, anddeckhands like Kyle, Kelvin, Devin, and Jake get high marks for working hard to keep lines untangled and help anglers of all skill levels land their catch. People regularly hit their limits on rockfish, lingcod, halibut, and sand dabs, with the captains skillfully using sonar to find productive spots. Whale watching trips also shine, with close encounters of humpbacks and orcas making memorable outings. The main concern centers on occasional staff inconsistencies. While most crew members are praised for being friendly and helpful, a few reviewers encountered rudeness from specific staff members, both at the front desk and on deck. One review raised concerns about a crew member's fish handling practices. There's also a complaint about overcrowding on whale watching trips, which affected viewing quality. These issues seem to be exceptions rather than the rule, but it's worth noting they've happened. Overall, the operation has a strong track record with experienced captains and a hardworking crew that knows how to make a fishing trip successful.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 4
    5/5

    Went out twice with captain Jason! Cap work hard to put us on fish!! We land 2 hali 2 ling and many Rocks. Cap Jason deckhand Kyle and kelvin Thank you guys !!!

    Photo of jeremy li

    jeremy li

    August 17, 2025

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    Went out twice with captain Jason! Cap work hard to put us on fish!! We land 2 hali 2 ling and many Rocks. Cap Jason deckhand Kyle and kelvin Thank you guys !!!

    Photo of jeremy li

    jeremy li

    August 17, 2025

    Nearby activities

    3.5-Hour Santa Cruz Whale Watching Cruise
    Whale Watching

    3.5-Hour Santa Cruz Whale Watching Cruise

    Search Monterey Bay for seasonal whales and marine wildlife with a naturalist

    Search Monterey Bay for seasonal whales and marine wildlife with a naturalist
    4.8 • 1.7K reviews
    $72/ person
    Santa Cruz 4.5-Hour Cod Fishing Trip
    Fishing Charters

    Santa Cruz 4.5-Hour Cod Fishing Trip

    Fish nearshore Santa Cruz reefs without an all-day offshore trip

    Fish nearshore Santa Cruz reefs without an all-day offshore trip
    4.8 • 1.7K reviews
    $86/ person
    Santa Cruz 5-Hour Deep Sea Cod Fishing Trip
    Fishing Charters

    Santa Cruz 5-Hour Deep Sea Cod Fishing Trip

    Fish Monterey Bay’s deep local reefs for cod, ling cod, and rockfish

    Fish Monterey Bay’s deep local reefs for cod, ling cod, and rockfish
    4.8 • 1.7K reviews
    $107/ person
    Private Group Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
    Surfing Lessons

    Private Group Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

    Build Surf Skills With Private 4:1 Instruction

    Build Surf Skills With Private 4:1 Instruction
    4.9 • 141 reviews
    $138/ person
    Santa Cruz Semi-Private Surfing Lesson
    Surfing Lessons

    Santa Cruz Semi-Private Surfing Lesson

    Learn to surf with focused instruction in a semi-private setting

    Learn to surf with focused instruction in a semi-private setting
    4.9 • 141 reviews
    $159/ person
    Private Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz
    Surfing Lessons

    Private Surf Lesson in Santa Cruz

    Build your surfing skills with focused one-on-one coaching

    Build your surfing skills with focused one-on-one coaching
    4.9 • 141 reviews
    $159/ person