Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters

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Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters Stagnaro Charters presents year-round whale watching trips on Monterey Bay.

See humpback whales & gray whales, dolphins, California Sea Lions, Southern Sea Otters and much more! The Stagnaro family has been serving the Santa Cruz area for over a century, ever since Italian patriarch Cottardo Stagnaro settled in Santa Cruz in 1879. This historical landmark business is still leading the way in ocean fun on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. There is something for everyone: Fishing Trips, Scenic Bay Cruises, Whale & Dolphin Watching and Private Parties for any occasion. Whichever your choice, today's fourth generation Stagnaro Charter Boats will surely make your trip fun and memorable.

October 9th: 25+ Humpback Whales! We saw a mom, calf pair! Behaviors such as; breaching, feeding, tail throws! Next trip...
10/10/2026

October 9th: 25+ Humpback Whales! We saw a mom, calf pair! Behaviors such as; breaching, feeding, tail throws!

Next trips:
Sat. 10/10 at 12pm
Sun. 10/11 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/12 at 12pm
Fri. 10/16 at 12:15pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





October 7th: 11 Humpback Whales!California Sea Lions!Southern Sea Otters!Harbor seal!Migrating seabirds!Next trips:Fri. ...
10/09/2026

October 7th:
11 Humpback Whales!
California Sea Lions!
Southern Sea Otters!
Harbor seal!
Migrating seabirds!

Next trips:
Fri. 10/9 at 12:15pm
Sat. 10/10 at 12pm
Sun. 10/11 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/12 at 12pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





October 7th: We had over ten nearshore Humpback Whales on Wednesday including “Rainbow” and “Clubs”! In the mix were a M...
10/08/2026

October 7th: We had over ten nearshore Humpback Whales on Wednesday including “Rainbow” and “Clubs”! In the mix were a Mom, calf, and es**rt trio, a distant breaching and pec slapping pair, and whales feeding in only 30 feet of water!

Photos by Naturalist Abby

Next trips:
Fri. Oct. 9 at 12:15pm
Sat. Oct. 10 at 12pm
Sun. Oct. 11 at 12:15pm
Mon. Oct. 12 at 12pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





October 4th: Orcas! Humpback Whales! Common Dolphins!Next trips:Fri. 10/9 at 12:15pmSat. 10/10 at 12pmSun. 10/11 at 12:1...
10/07/2026

October 4th:
Orcas! Humpback Whales! Common Dolphins!

Next trips:
Fri. 10/9 at 12:15pm
Sat. 10/10 at 12pm
Sun. 10/11 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/12 at 12pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





October 4th: We had an EPIC day on 10/4 spending time with ORCAS! Hopper’s pod was hanging out over the canyon, when we ...
10/06/2026

October 4th: We had an EPIC day on 10/4 spending time with ORCAS! Hopper’s pod was hanging out over the canyon, when we suddenly saw chunks of meat float up to the surface! Your crew hadn’t seen any sea lions or dolphins near by, and the hunt took place quickly and fully below the surface so we think these four orcas might have killed and eaten an elephant seal! We watched them celebrate this feast with a breach, a spy hop, and a few tail slaps!
We also saw over 1000 Common Dolphins earlier in the trip stampeding in the opposite direction from the orcas (probably a smart move) and some of those dolphins approached our boat to bow ride! We also saw a few Humpback Whales including a mom and calf pair at the beginning and end of the trip! This was one for the books!

Stills from video & insights by naturalist Abby

Reels coming soon!

Next trips:
Wed. 10/7 at 10:30am
Fri. 10/9 at 12:15pm
Sat. 10/10 at 12:00pm
Sun. 10/11 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/12 at 12pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com






October 4th: On Sundays trip we are seeing ORCAS, Humpback Whales & Common Dolphins! More details and photos soon!Photos...
10/04/2026

October 4th: On Sundays trip we are seeing ORCAS, Humpback Whales & Common Dolphins! More details and photos soon!

Photos by Naturalist Sydney from trips in Sept.

Next trips:
Wed. 10/7 at 10:30am
Fri. 10/9 at 12:15pm
Sat. 10/10 at 12pm
Sun. 10/11 at 12:15pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





October 2nd: Humpback Whales! We had a great Friday on Monterey Bay with a nonstop breaching and pec slapping mom & calf...
10/03/2026

October 2nd: Humpback Whales! We had a great Friday on Monterey Bay with a nonstop breaching and pec slapping mom & calf pair close to Santa Cruz! We also had a 10/10 synchronized dive and feeding behaviors from “Batman”, “Caesar” and friends! “Batman” gets his name from his bat signal or bat wing shaped tail!

Photos by Naturalist Abby & guest photographer Jim!

Next trips:
Sun. 10/4 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/5 at 10:30am
Wed. 10/7 at 10:30am
Fri. 10/9 at 12:15pm
Sat. 10/10 at 12pm
Sun. 10/11 at 12:15pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





October 2nd: Humpback Whales, including a mama and calf pair! Breaching! Pec-slapping, tail-throws, tail-lobs and feedin...
10/02/2026

October 2nd: Humpback Whales, including a mama and calf pair! Breaching! Pec-slapping, tail-throws, tail-lobs and feeding! Named whales “Batman” & “Caesar”! Also, Harbor Seal, California Sea Lions & Southern Sea Otters!

Next trips:
Sun. 10/4 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/5 at 10:30am
Wed. 10/7 at 10:30am
Fri. 10/9 at 12:15pm
Sat. 10/10 at 12pm
Sun. 10/11 at 12:15pm

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





Monday, September 28th: We saw Humpback Whales, Southern Sea Otters, California Sea Lions and seabirds galore!Photos by ...
10/02/2026

Monday, September 28th: We saw Humpback Whales, Southern Sea Otters, California Sea Lions and seabirds galore!

Photos by Naturalist Sydney

Next trips:
Fri. 10/2 at 11am
Sun. 10/4 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/5 at 10:30am
Wed. 10/7 at 10:30am

You can see our trip calendar online (Nov & Dec coming soon!) & book or call the office direct to book!

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





September 27th: On Sunday’s trip we saw Humpback Whales feeding & pec-slapping! Seabirds were feeding as well! And a cut...
10/01/2026

September 27th: On Sunday’s trip we saw Humpback Whales feeding & pec-slapping! Seabirds were feeding as well! And a cute Southern Sea Otter pair!

Photos by Naturalist Sydney

Next trips:
Fri. 10/2 at 11am
Sun. 10/4 at 12:15pm
Mon. 10/5 at 10:30am
Wed. 10/7 at 10:30am

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com





Address

1718 Brommer Street
Santa Cruz, CA
95062

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+18314270230

Website

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