Best of · WHALE AND DOLPHIN WATCHING TOURS IN THE USA

Our 15 Best Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in the USA

43 tours  ·  from $29 a head

The 15 best whale and dolphin watching tours in the USA you can book today, with the price on the ticket, how long the crossing runs and which animal you are going out for. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching - Lahaina - What happens from Front Street to the open water
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Maui Eco-Raft Tour: Eye-Level Whale or Dolphin Watching – Lahaina

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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Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour - From Old Fisherman’s Wharf to open water
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Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

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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San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise - Ten minutes to the Pacific
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San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

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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Dana Point Dolphin and Whale Watching with Underwater Viewing - Dolphins are the most dependable reward
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Dana Point Dolphin and Whale Watching with Underwater Viewing

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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Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise from Cape May - What happens during the three-hour search
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Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise from Cape May

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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Long Beach: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise - A catamaran designed for watching wildlife
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Long Beach: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

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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Newport Beach: Whale and Dolphin-Watching Cruise - From 309 Palm Street to the Balboa Pavilion
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Newport Beach: Whale and Dolphin-Watching Cruise

7.Whale and Dolphin-Watching Cruise

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

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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Up-Close Dolphin & Whale Watching Zodiac Adventure in Dana Point - The Zodiac ride: fast, close, and a little wet
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Up-Close Dolphin & Whale Watching Zodiac Adventure in Dana Point

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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Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Cruise - Searching for dolphins and whales off San Diego
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Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Cruise

9.Dolphin and Whale Watching Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 249 reviews · from $71

Set out from 1617 Quivira Road for a 2 to 3 hour sunset cruise with San Diego Whale Watching LLC. A certified guide and friendly crew share facts about local whales and dolphins as you sail from Mission Bay toward the open coast. Expect scenic sunset views, possible dolphin pods and whales, and a cool, windy ride after sunset.

“It was an amazing experience! Beautiful day in the ocean. The naturalist on board was amazing as well. Highly recommend.”

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Cape May: Jersey Shore Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise - Victorian buildings and the first history lesson
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Cape May: Jersey Shore Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

10.Cape May: Jersey Shore Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 230 reviews · 3 hours · from $55

Spend three hours aboard the Cape May Whale Watcher, cruising from the historic waterfront through Delaware Bay toward the Atlantic. Your captain and English-speaking narrator point out Victorian buildings, marine life, and local history while you watch for dolphins, whales, sharks, and seabirds. The 110-foot ship has indoor and outdoor seating, a snack bar, and an accessible lower deck.

“I can't say enough about how superb the crew was on our dolphin and whale-watching tour. We saw plenty of dolphins, and to our surprise, we also witnessed whales breaching, feeding, and swimming right alongside our boat. It was an outstanding experience! I would highly recommend this crew and cruise line.”

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Newport Beach: Whale and Dolphin-Watching Cruise - From 309 Palm Street to the Balboa Pavilion
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Newport Beach Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

11.Newport Beach Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 212 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $28Best value

Spend about two hours aboard a two-deck catamaran from Newport Beach, watching for blue, gray, humpback, fin, and minke whales, plus dolphins, sea lions, and pelicans. The crew, including Captain Hunter on some departures, shares useful facts as you cruise from 309 Palm Street and return to the same point.

“We got put on an earlier boat, which was great. However, we didn’t see any marine life. The inside seating in the bar area was fantastic, particularly because it was a cold, rainy day.”

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San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise - Leaving Pier 2 and seeing San Diego from the water
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San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

12.Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 186 reviews · from $77

Cruise from San Diego Harbor with a captain and volunteer naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum. Watch for gray whales in winter and spring, blue whales in summer, plus dolphins, sea lions, sunfish, and seabirds. The boat has indoor and outdoor seating, live English narration, and a return-trip pass if no whale or dolphin appears.

“Saw many dolphins swimming along the ship. Furthermore lucky encountered a whale spouting. So excited, must see.”

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Kauai's South Side Whale and Dolphin Zodiac Boat Adventure - Spouting Horn and the south coast views
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Kauai’s South Side Whale and Dolphin Zodiac Boat Adventure

13.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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Private 2hr Supreme Whale/Dolphin Watching Tour, Newport Beach CA - Cruising through Newport Harbor
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Private 2hr Supreme Whale/Dolphin Watching Tour, Newport Beach CA

14.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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City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure - From Navy Pier to the open Pacific
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City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure

15.City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 143 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $56

Set out from Navy Pier on a three to four-hour San Diego whale-watching cruise with Captain Rick, Kyle, and volunteer naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum. Watch for gray, fin, humpback, and blue whales, plus dolphins, sea lions, seals, and seabirds. Indoor seating, outdoor decks, onboard snacks, and a whale-check guarantee make this a practical family outing.

“We enjoyed our trip and saw 3 humpback whales and 1 fin whale. The captain was very good at pointing out the whales and hanging in the area while we all watched the show. I would recommend this tour! It was cold out on the water so be sure to bring a jacket if you go in February. Also the water was rather rough, so if you tend to get sea sick, be sure to take something!”

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New in Whale and Dolphin Watching Tours in the USA

★ 5.0San Diego Whale/Dolphin Watching Cruise Aboard Luxury VesselFrom $7664 reviews
★ 4.53-Hour Guided Whale and Dolphin Watching Experience in San DiegoFrom $14939 reviews
★ 3.5Whale and Dolphin Watching in San Diego Speedboat TourFrom $1993 reviews
★ 4.5Whale & Dolphin Watching, Turtle SnorkelingFrom $16626 reviews
★ 3.5Private Whale Watching and Dolphin ExcursionFrom $2654 reviews
★ 5.0Supreme 2hr Whale/Dolphin Watching Newport Beach, 6 person maxFrom $11940 reviews
★ 5.0Private Dolphin and Whale Watching Tour in Newport Beach65 reviews
★ 4.5Los Angeles Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise from West HarborFrom $4545 reviews
★ 5.0Poipu Sea Kayak Tour: Turtle, Dolphins and SnorkelFrom $2696 reviews
★ 5.0Family and Private Group Whale and Dolphin WatchingFrom $15017 reviews
★ 5.0Experience Oceanside Sailing with Whales and dolphins!From $13014 reviews
★ 4.5Whale Dolphin and Bird Watching Ecotour CruiseFrom $5039 reviews
★ 4.5Humpback Whale and Dolphin Watch in KonaFrom $10962 reviews
★ 5.0Superior 2hr Private Whale & Dolphin Watching Newport Beach10 reviews
★ 4.3San Pedro: West Harbor LA Dolphin & Whale Watching CruiseFrom $4524 reviews

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