Our 12 Best Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in the USA

1.Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,482 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85Our pick

From Lahaina, you’ll ride a low zodiac raft for eye-level whale watching from December to April, or dolphin watching and coastal sightseeing in summer. Marine naturalists explain Maui’s sea life, and a hydrophone lets you hear whale songs in season. Expect ocean spray, a small group, and no guaranteed close encounters.

“We had a great experience! The captain Jack worked very hard to give us a great experience! Highly recommend!”

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2.Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,645 reviews · 3 hours · from $62

Sail from Old Fisherman’s Wharf with Chris’s Fishing and Whale Watching for three hours of wildlife spotting. Guides such as Kevin, Lauren, and Tinker explain Monterey Bay’s ecology while the captain searches for humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, seals, birds, and possible orcas. The smaller boat offers clear views, but choppy water and confusing parking deserve attention.

“Our whale watching adventure was spectacular!! Our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic, always ready to answer questions. We saw several whales and he was as excited as the rest of us!! The boat itself was older and hard to move around but once the whales, sea lions, and birds started showing, no one cared about boat as we all ooohhed and aaaahed. Spectacular experience!!”

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3.San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,588 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

Leave Mission Bay and reach the open Pacific in about 10 minutes. A captain and onboard naturalists help you spot whales, dolphins, sea lions, and porpoises while explaining their behavior. Look for commentary from guides such as Allison or Jennifer, and bring layers because the ocean can feel 10 to 15 degrees cooler than the bay.

“It was an awesome experience! The crew was all very nice. We saw lots of whales and they got close to the boat! Highly recommended!”

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4.Dana Point Dolphin and Whale Watching with Underwater Viewing

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 788 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $99

Join Captain Dave’s crew for a 2.5-hour catamaran trip from Dana Point Harbor. A naturalist explains local marine life while you watch for dolphins, whales, sea lions, and birds. On Manute’a, ladder-access underwater pods offer a close view below the surface. The crew provides a brownie and a free return trip if no cetaceans appear.

“We saw so many dolphins. My kids loved standing at the bow of the boat and seeing all the dolphins swimming and jumping in front of them. The staff was really knowledgeable and provided so much information about the marine life.”

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5.Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise from Cape May

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 693 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $45

Sail from Miss Chris Marina aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher for up to three hours of dolphin, whale, porpoise, and seabird watching. A captain and certified naturalist provide live commentary on local wildlife and Cape May’s maritime past. The large boat has restrooms, indoor seating, and a snack bar, but whale sightings are never certain.

“Bringing loved ones on this nice journey is something that everyone would really enjoy. Me and my boyfriend had went and he’s never done anything like this so it was so nice to see how happy and excited he was about all the dolphins we saw❤️”

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6.Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 488 reviews · 2h 30m · from $45

Spend about 150 minutes aboard Harbor Breeze’s stable catamaran, guided by Aquarium of the Pacific educators and an experienced crew. Cruise past Long Beach, the Queen Mary, the Carnival terminal, and San Pedro Breakwater while looking for humpback, fin, and minke whales, dolphins, seals, sea lions, and seabirds. Bring warm layers and keep expectations flexible.

“I enjoyed the whole experience. The guides and captains were fantastic!”

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7.Whale and Dolphin-Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 415 reviews · 2h 30m · from $30Best value

Cruise from Newport Beach for 150 minutes with an English-speaking captain and crew who explain local marine life. Look for dolphins, sea lions, gray whales, blue whales, humpbacks, fin whales, and more. The boat follows the Newport Coast toward Laguna Beach, with calm water, ocean views, and a reported 96% chance of seeing whales or dolphins.

“We didn’t spot any whales but what we did see was very special to share as a family”

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8.Up-Close Dolphin & Whale Watching Zodiac Adventure in Dana Point

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 353 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $99

Board a Coast Guard inspected Zodiac in Dana Point for about two hours of fast, close-to-the-water wildlife watching. Captains such as Marie, Gary, and Chuck work with marine naturalists to find dolphins, gray whales, blue whales, sea lions, and more. Check in 30 to 45 minutes early, dress for spray, and remember that the boat requires at least six passengers.

“Saw one whale, lots of dolphins and sea lions. Great boat and super nice and educated crew. We learned a lot about sea life, whale migration and saw animals in their natural habitat”

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9.Kauai’s South Side Whale and Dolphin Zodiac Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 163 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $158

Join Z Tourz at Kukuiʻula Harbor for a 2.5-hour whale and dolphin search aboard a 25-foot Zodiac. With up to 14 people, guides such as Justin, Lindsay, Jane, and Brandon share stories about humpbacks, turtles, dolphins, and Kauai’s coast. Expect speed, spray, snacks, and no snorkeling.

“This was a horrible experience! First of all, my son stepped on glass on the dock after we were told to take our shoes off before getting on the boat. The captain responded with, “There is always glass on the dock from the night before!” Well, who tells their customers to take their shoes off knowing there could be broken glass there from the night before. Then the captain took off like a banshee annd hit a wave pretty hard and an older woman went flying out of her seat so she wanted off the boat. So we went back to the dock to let her off, then another woman…”

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10.Private 2hr Supreme Whale/Dolphin Watching Tour, Newport Beach CA

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews

Set out from Newport Harbor with Captain Nick or another USCG licensed captain on a private two-hour whale and dolphin trip. The small twin-engine catamaran carries up to six people, giving you a quick, personal ride toward local wildlife. Expect harbor views, naturalist commentary, and possible dolphins, whales, and sea lions.

“We went on a Dolphin/Whale watching excursion with Nick from East Meets West yesterday morning. It was honestly the trip of a lifetime! Nick was our captain and is extremely knowledgeable about marine life. We learned alRead more”

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11.Private Family Whale & Dolphin Adventure in San Diego

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 98 reviews · from $179

Take a private three-hour boat trip from Mission Bay with Captain Rich of Tailwalker Whale & Dolphin Adventures. Your group of up to six has the whole boat, including an enclosed cabin, observation tower, restroom, safety gear, and bottled water. Look for dolphins, gray, humpback, fin, and blue whales, plus sea lions and other marine life.

“We enjoyed the experience of going out to see the Fin Whales, and are happy we did this excursion. But, in the future it might be a good idea to put more information on the description. We had difficulties finding the boat as the ‘Mission Bay Read more”

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12.Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching With Underwater Viewing

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 40 reviews · 2h 30m · from $95

Cruise from Dana Point Harbor for 150 minutes aboard an uncrowded eco-friendly catamaran. Marine naturalists, including Captain Marie, Andy, Hannah, or Lauren, explain whales, dolphins, sea lions, sharks, and birds. The boat has two underwater viewing pods and tram nets, though pod access can vary.

“The day could not have been better. From the weather to the crew to the dolphins we saw in abundance. The whales were shy today but no one left dissapointed because the hundred + dolphins in the pod was very entertaining. The crew was fantastic. Marie, Hannah and Lauren made the trip so enjoyable sharing their knowledge of the marine life we may or many not encounter. We would definitely do this again.”

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