Cruise Monterey Bay with a marine biologist on a small-group whale watch
3.5-4 Hours
Whale watch cruise, Naturalist
Head out from Moss Landing on a 3.5–4 hour whale watching cruise aboard the 43-foot Sanctuary. Learn from marine biologists as you scan for whales, dolphins, and other marine life.
A Relief Band seasickness rental is available for an extra $7 per person.
Life jackets are required for children 12 and under at all times.
The vessel is not ADA certified and cannot take motorized wheelchairs aboard.
You can reschedule up to 1 week prior to departure. If the trip is cancelled due to rough conditions, you can reschedule using credits. No refunds.
Arrive 30 minutes before departure for check-in and the safety briefing. Boarding starts 15 minutes before departure, and the boat leaves at the scheduled time.
Plan to pay for harbor parking at the kiosk. Bring cash for snacks, Relief Band rentals ($7 per cruise), souvenirs, and optional crew gratuities.
Bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks if you’d like. Do not bring alcohol, glass, coolers, or coolers.
Meet your naturalist at the picnic tables to the left of Dock “A” in Moss Landing’s Harbor District's parking lot.
Step aboard a vessel at Moss Landing Harbor and let Sanctuary Cruises take you into the heart of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The cold, nutrient-rich waters here draw humpback whales, blue whales, orcas, dolphins, and sea otters in remarkable numbers. Sanctuary Cruises runs small-boat tours that put you closer to the action than larger vessels can manage, making each trip feel genuinely intimate with the ocean and its inhabitants.
Wow! Our friends booked this for our families and it was excellent. Captain Joey and marine biologist/photographer Chase clearly love their jobs. I got great photo-taking tips from Chase, and he and Joey knew exactly where to go to see humpback whales. Having a real Marine biologist on board as well as having both crew members be locals, who grew up on boats, is the reason to take this tour. They were amazing with our kids (ages 3 -13) and they took their time. Even though we were due into shore, they still stopped when they saw action, and the best whale watching ended up happening when we might have been rolling into port. If you're looking for the best, you found it here.
Jennifer Dial Santoro
June 26, 2026
Wow! Our friends booked this for our families and it was excellent. Captain Joey and marine biologist/photographer Chase clearly love their jobs. I got great photo-taking tips from Chase, and he and Joey knew exactly where to go to see humpback whales. Having a real Marine biologist on board as well as having both crew members be locals, who grew up on boats, is the reason to take this tour. They were amazing with our kids (ages 3 -13) and they took their time. Even though we were due into shore, they still stopped when they saw action, and the best whale watching ended up happening when we might have been rolling into port. If you're looking for the best, you found it here.
Jennifer Dial Santoro
June 26, 2026
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