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!
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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/

02/22/2025

Unexpected and amazing friendly Gray Whale on today’s afternoon trip.

This was a southbound female that was using the boat as a personal backscratcher. Held us hostage for over an hour near Carmel Bay & Highlands.

We remained in neutral while the whale swam and rolled around us.

This was all on their terms and we do not force interactions like this. Touching or harassing whales is against the (US) law (Marine Mammal Protection Act).

So, all we can do is wave and wildlife view responsibly.

Passengers got a once in a lifetime experience with whale snot. 😆

Our Naturalist blogs are back!
02/03/2025

Our Naturalist blogs are back!

Current sightings: Whales and breathtaking scenery Gray whales are on a mission and that’s heading south so we’ve been e...
01/25/2025

Current sightings: Whales and breathtaking scenery

Gray whales are on a mission and that’s heading south so we’ve been enjoying them along the central coast.

Here are some other moments from past trips lately including some surprise encounters with dolphins and Humpback whales.

📸: Photographer Amanda

Are you sure it’s January? Sure ain’t acting like it. Not that we mind. 😉Juvenile Humpbacks are still feeding in the are...
01/06/2025

Are you sure it’s January? Sure ain’t acting like it. Not that we mind. 😉

Juvenile Humpbacks are still feeding in the area, Risso’s Dolphins cruising by, and Killer Whale sightings in the first week of 2025!

Photos from the past few days
📸: Photographer Amanda

The data doesn't lie, it's been a remarkable year of whale watching! Here's our "Wrapped," crafted from our sightings re...
12/31/2024

The data doesn't lie, it's been a remarkable year of whale watching! Here's our "Wrapped," crafted from our sightings reports, and celebrate the incredible moments captured through the lenses of our talented crew—Captain Andrew, Naturalists Sophie and Isaiah, and our company photographer Amanda.

Next in the queue is our Year in Review: Highlight reel - stay tuned as we close out 2024!

12/30/2024

Must Sea TV: Crew Shenanigans 2024 pt. 2

We definitely don’t have fun here. 😉

Enjoy the random behind the scenes moments with the crew

12/28/2024

Sometimes our commentary while on deck adds on to the whale watching experience 😅

Here are some “Hot Mic” moments in 2024.

Pictures from yesterday’s Offshore Killer Whale encounter! How to ID an Offshore Killer Whale 1. Rounded Dorsal Fin that...
12/27/2024

Pictures from yesterday’s Offshore Killer Whale encounter!

How to ID an Offshore Killer Whale
1. Rounded Dorsal Fin that is more tattered and beaten up
2. Saddle Patch (grey-ish/white patch behind dorsal fin) is often closed with some, not all, faint black markings
3. Smaller in size compared to the other Ecotypes we encounter (Transient and Residents)
4. Large pod - as we saw yesterday more than 60 Orcas were spread out across a five-mile range.

Little is still known about this ecotype of Killer Whales.

Their range is considered to be in the Eastern North Pacific (Alaska to California) and their diet consists of sharks, opah, and other large fish!

Yesterday afternoon, it was remarkable to have so many around us. In fact, all the whale-watching boats out in Monterey Bay that day had their own individuals to watch. It’s not an everyday occurrence.

Offshore Orcas are one of the 3 ecotypes we encounter in Monterey Bay, California

Pictures fromyesterday’s afternoon
📸: Photographer Amanda

12/27/2024

Just when we are wrapping up the year the Offshore Killer Whales said hold my beer.

We haven’t had an offshore Killer Whale sighting since 2021! They are rare and elusive and are often hundreds of miles offshore (hence the name).

However, with the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, we have deep waters so close to shore and they like to come in our area occasionally. Now this ecotype of Orca goes after large fish like Tuna and sharks!

What a unique sighting today during the afternoon trip!..

12/22/2024

*Whale exists and does whale stuff*
Us: OMG 🤯🤯

The excitement of seeing nature at play is amazing and all we can say sometimes is OMG (or other unintelligible sounds). Here our some of the legit OMG moments of 2024 during our whale watching trips.

Holy Orca sightings Batman! Monday thru Friday this week, we’ve had consistent sightings! While fall/spring is generally...
12/07/2024

Holy Orca sightings Batman! Monday thru Friday this week, we’ve had consistent sightings! While fall/spring is generally when we say we encounter them the most, we weren’t expecting this much as they are unpredictable. Hopefully they’ll stick around and if not that’s okay, we still have other whales and dolphins to look at.

Photos taken by photographer Amanda

‼️5 days‼️Come join us and be a part of the parade! 🎄
12/04/2024

‼️5 days‼️Come join us and be a part of the parade! 🎄

Today, we’re reflecting on how lucky we are to witness the breathtaking wildlife of Monterey Bay and how fortunate it is...
11/28/2024

Today, we’re reflecting on how lucky we are to witness the breathtaking wildlife of Monterey Bay and how fortunate it is to share these moments with you. 🐋♥️

Here’s to the beauty of nature and the joy of watching it together.

Photos taken by our photographer Amanda
From Trips Nov 23rd, 24th, 26th, and 27th

11/28/2024

We are grateful to witness the amazing wildlife that travels through Monterey Bay. 🌊 ♥️Humpback Whales and sea lions feeding on anchovies from today’s morning trip. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁We’ll be closed tomorrow to celebrate the holiday! ..

11/25/2024

Unbelievable morning trip 🤯 Killer Whale sightings across Monterey Bay today! In a rare encounter, Frosty the Leucistic or Chediak higashi syndrome- Killer Whale was sighted!

They were in a pod with 10 Killer Whales chasing sea lions during our morning trip

Video by our photographer Amanda U

11/21/2024

Crazy encounter on Tuesday’s afternoon trip! 10 Killer Whales were actively hunting sea lions during the afternoon trip! You can see how they work together by tail flicking and ramming their whole body trying to tire out the sea lion. We don’t see these moments like this often but it’s a remarkable to see their hunting strategies at play in Monterey Bay! 🎥: Naturalist/Deckhand Ryan. We’ve been off the water yesterday, today and tomorrow but Saturday is a go!

Humpback Whales are taking advantage of the late autumn feeding season before they start their migrations south. Beautif...
11/13/2024

Humpback Whales are taking advantage of the late autumn feeding season before they start their migrations south.

Beautiful scenery this past week!

Photos from November 7-10th
📸: Amanda U

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66 Fishermans Wharf
Monterey, CA
93940

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Videos

Friend Gray Whale - Monterey, California!
Friend Gray Whale - Monterey, California!

Unexpected and amazing friendly Gray Whale on today’s afternoon trip. This was a southbound female that was using the boat as a personal backscratcher. Held us hostage for over an hour near Carmel Bay & Highlands. We remained in neutral while the whale swam and rolled around us. This was all on their terms and we do not force interactions like this. Touching or harassing whales is against the (US) law (Marine Mammal Protection Act). So, all we can do is wave and wildlife view responsibly. Passengers got a once in a lifetime experience with whale snot. 😆

It may be cold, but it sure felt like summer for a moment there. We are very fortunate to see Humpback Whales in January, it’s not what we expect this time of year. It feels like we’re also testing our luck with not only their activity but the immaculate ocean conditions lately. Taken on today’s afternoon trip on our boat New Horizon with video taken by Deckhand Corey and the photo taken by the Naturalist/Photographer Amanda

Whale watch Crew Shenanigans of 2024
Whale watch Crew Shenanigans of 2024

Must Sea TV: Crew Shenanigans 2024 pt. 2 We definitely don’t have fun here. 😉 Enjoy the random behind the scenes moments with the crew #belowdeck #whalewatch #fishing #smallbusiness #montereybay #bts #recap

Funny whale watch commentary
Funny whale watch commentary

Sometimes our commentary while on deck adds on to the whale watching experience 😅 Here are some “Hot Mic” moments in 2024. . . #whales #naturalist #whalewatching #montereybay

Offshore Killer Whales!! 12/26/25
Offshore Killer Whales!! 12/26/25

Just when we are wrapping up the year the Offshore Killer Whales said hold my beer. We haven’t had an offshore Killer Whale sighting since 2021! They are rare and elusive and are often hundreds of miles offshore (hence the name). However, with the Monterey Bay Submarine Canyon, we have deep waters so close to shore and they like to come in our area occasionally. Now this ecotype of Orca goes after large fish like Tuna and sharks! What a unique sighting today during the afternoon trip!.. #montereybay #whalewatching #orcas #offshoreorcas #killerwhales #whales

OMG whale watch moments of 2024
OMG whale watch moments of 2024

*Whale exists and does whale stuff* Us: OMG 🤯🤯 The excitement of seeing nature at play is amazing and all we can say sometimes is OMG (or other unintelligible sounds). Here our some of the legit OMG moments of 2024 during our whale watching trips. #montereybay #humpbackwhales #orcas #dolphins #wildlifeaddicts

Must Sea TV - Below Deck: Discovery Whale Watch/JM Sportfishing 2024 Edition Part 1. We are starting to recap 2024 and what better way to do that than show some funny moments from our crew this past year. There’s plenty more, trust us. #montereybay #whalewatch #belowdeck #crewlife #behindthescenes

Humpback Whales in Monterey Bay, California
Humpback Whales in Monterey Bay, California

We are grateful to witness the amazing wildlife that travels through Monterey Bay. 🌊 ♥️Humpback Whales and sea lions feeding on anchovies from today’s morning trip. Happy Thanksgiving 🦃🍁We’ll be closed tomorrow to celebrate the holiday! ..#whalewatching #humpbackwhales #sealions #monterey

Frosty the Orca sighted in Monterey Bay! 11/24/24
Frosty the Orca sighted in Monterey Bay! 11/24/24

Unbelievable morning trip 🤯 Killer Whale sightings across Monterey Bay today! In a rare encounter, Frosty the Leucistic or Chediak higashi syndrome- Killer Whale was sighted! They were in a pod with 10 Killer Whales chasing sea lions during our morning trip Video by our photographer Amanda U #orcas #centralcalifornia #ouroceans #amongthewild #whales #monterey

Crazy encounter on Tuesday’s afternoon trip! 10 Killer Whales were actively hunting sea lions during the afternoon trip! You can see how they work together by tail flicking and ramming their whole body trying to tire out the sea lion. We don’t see these moments like this often but it’s a remarkable to see their hunting strategies at play in Monterey Bay! 🎥: Naturalist/Deckhand Ryan. We’ve been off the water yesterday, today and tomorrow but Saturday is a go!

Be still the soul when out on the open sea 🌊♥️ From yesterday’s afternoon trip. #montereybay #humpbackwhales ##amongthewild #oceanlover

Humpback Whale
Humpback Whale

Humpback whale doing headstands during today’s 3:30 pm trip.

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