Discovery Whale Watch

Discovery Whale Watch Monterey Bay is the premier destination for whale watching year around! Monterey Bay is the premier destination for whale watching all year!
(550)

We see whales every day here in Monterey. Our daily whale watch trips are narrated by a marine biologist or naturalist who provides educational and interesting information about whales, dolphins, and a wide variety of marine wildlife. In addition to teaching you about the wildlife, our marine biologists and naturalists will provide information about the natural history of the local area and talk a

bout conservation. While out on the ocean, our marine biologists and naturalists are also collecting sighting data for scientific research. We are highly invested in learning about our local wildlife and serving as a data collection resource for other scientists who study our local wildlife as well. Our daily whale watch trips are 3.5-4 hours in duration in the morning and 3 hours in the afternoon. (Trips are weather permitting.) We travel to different locations within Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to view whales and dolphins throughout the year. Our crew will show you how to spot whales and dolphins as well as give you advice on how to best capture photos and videos of the wildlife. We regularly send out a professional photographer on our whale watch trips to capture those amazing moments with the wildlife. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about getting the perfect shot. Furthermore, the photographers will be available to give you some tips and tricks for how to catch those moment for yourself while on board with us. We see whales year round! Learn more about the different species throughout the seasons on our website here: https://discoverywhalewatch.com/education/

Moments from whale watch trips Saturday – TuesdayThe past few days have kept us busy with sightings of Blue Whales, Fin ...
06/25/2026

Moments from whale watch trips Saturday – Tuesday

The past few days have kept us busy with sightings of Blue Whales, Fin Whales, and Humpback Whales, along with Risso's Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, and an unexpected Killer Whale sighting!

Photos taken Saturday & Sunday by Photographer Amanda (June 20 & 21)
Photos taken Monday & Tuesday by Naturalist Isaiah (June 22 & 23)

06/24/2026

Lone male Killer Whale (CA199) put on quite a show for our 9am trips today!

Thanks to Deckhand/Naturalist Kalea for capturing this moment!

Moments from our whale watch trips on June 18th & 19thBlue Whales, Humpbacks and dolphins around Monterey Peninsula!So m...
06/22/2026

Moments from our whale watch trips on June 18th & 19th

Blue Whales, Humpbacks and dolphins around Monterey Peninsula!

So much is happening, time to get onboard!

06/20/2026

FAQ: Best time to see Humpback Whales in Monterey? Definitely now thru December.

Humpback whales born off the pacific coast of Mexico/Central America travel to Monterey, California to feast on anchovies and other small schooling fish. They are here to get as fat as they can and then migrate south for their winter breeding/calving season.

Today’s afternoon trip (on Pacifica) had a special treat watching an active Humpback Whale named “Fingers” (CRC-12223) who was first documented in 2006 in Nayarit, Mexico. Welcome back!
🎥: Photographer Amanda

Come sea for yourself! 🌊

Letting it ride with consistent Blue and Fin Whale sightings! Monday morning’s calm conditions allowed us to spot a Bask...
06/18/2026

Letting it ride with consistent Blue and Fin Whale sightings! Monday morning’s calm conditions allowed us to spot a Basking Shark at the start of the trip! The more notable whale encounters that day (sighted on Pacifica) was a cow/calf/escort Fin Whales. The calf was playful, rolling around at the surface and made several close passes by the boat. With the calm conditions, it was peaceful to watch Blue Whales surface, take a few breaths, and then go back down lifting their flukes. Monday afternoon, we re-encountered one of the S***m Whales that had stuck around from the previous day.

Humpbacks are still hanging around and were active in the area, tail throwing Monday afternoon and lunge feeding on Tuesday. Wednesday kept the streak alive, with more Blue and Fin Whale sightings. We’re still regularly seeing dolphins as well, including Risso’s Dolphins and Pacific White-sided Dolphins.

Come sea for yourself! 🌊

Photos from trips June 15 & 17th (morning trips)

06/16/2026

FAQ: Best time to see Blue Whales?
During our summer months: June & July

Blue Whales come here to feed on Krill during our peak season.

It varies year by year of how many individuals come into Monterey Bay. Weather and distance also play a factor in sighting them. We’ve been so lucky this past week, encountering so many in the area.

Video taken on yesterday’s 9am trip
🎥: Photographer Amanda

Heck of a weekend we just had! 🤯Though it’s not quite officially summer just yet…summer feeding season is in full swing ...
06/15/2026

Heck of a weekend we just had! 🤯
Though it’s not quite officially summer just yet…summer feeding season is in full swing in Monterey Bay with a variety of whale species feeding in the area!

Saturday’s trips got to see Blue Whales, Fin Whales and Humpback Whales (including a pair rolling in the kelp on the afternoon trip), white-sides and Risso’s Dolphins

Sunday’s trips was just nonstop overstimulating action, morning trip got to encounter S***m Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales, a Minke Whale, and Pacific White-sided Dolphins within a 5-mile radius. Afternoon had active Humpback Whales all around and the sunset had so many Blue & Fin Whales as far as the eye can see.

With the amount of activity we saw this weekend, it’s easy to see why June/July is considered “Peak Season” for whale watching in Monterey Bay!

06/15/2026

Cetacean Hat Trick! 🏒🥅
S***m Whales, Blue Whales and Fin Whales (not to mention the dolphins, humpbacks and reported killer whale sightings in the area).

Everyone in Monterey Bay today is celebrating at what all of us got to experience this morning scattered within a 5+ mile radius 🤯

To have each species in one trip on their own is exciting but to see ALL OF THEM in a regular 3.5 -4hr trip is blowing our minds right now!
Enjoy a few moments from this morning’s 9am (6/14/2026)

S***m whale fluke video taken by deckhand Matt and the Blue & Fin Whale taken by photographer Amanda

Started the week with Killer Whale sightings on Monday morning. On Thursday, Capt. Rod found a pod of Fin Whales. Then o...
06/13/2026

Started the week with Killer Whale sightings on Monday morning. On Thursday, Capt. Rod found a pod of Fin Whales. Then on Friday, Capt. Danny was able to relocate the same group feeding offshore.

Humpback whales spotted consistently this week and we also encountered plenty of dolphins including Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, and Common Dolphins.

Weather conditions: Fog or wind… or fog AND wind. A challenge yes, but we try to find whales nonetheless!

Photos/videos from Trips 6/8 (Monday) & Wednesday (6/10) – Friday (6/12)

So far Spring has brought plenty of wildlife... and plenty of swell to go with it! Photos from trips May 30 & 31 & June ...
06/07/2026

So far Spring has brought plenty of wildlife... and plenty of swell to go with it!

Photos from trips May 30 & 31 & June 3rd, 5-7th

Address

66 Fishermans Wharf
Monterey, CA
93940

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 7am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 7am - 5pm
Sunday 7am - 5pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Discovery Whale Watch posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Discovery Whale Watch:

Shortcuts

Share

Category