Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters

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

veryone: 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.

November 29th & 30th: We continue to see Humpback Whales close to Santa Cruz! More photos & details to follow.Next trips...
12/01/2024

November 29th & 30th: We continue to see Humpback Whales close to Santa Cruz!
More photos & details to follow.

Next trips:
Sun. 12/1 at 11am
Fri. 12/6 at 11am
Sat. 12/7 at 11am
Sun. 12/8 at 11am

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






Archive photo from fall 2024

Nov. 28th - Feeling grateful for our Thanksgiving Day encounter with a very inspirational pair of whales: CRC-17853 (mam...
11/29/2024

Nov. 28th - Feeling grateful for our Thanksgiving Day encounter with a very inspirational pair of whales: CRC-17853 (mama) and HW-MN0503410 (calf). This little calf is covered head to tail in “rake marks" - parallel linear scars left by the sharp teeth of killer whales dragging across the skin during an attempt to take down their prey. In addition to extensive rake marks, the calf also has sizable chunks missing from their dorsal fin and tail flukes, which will remain misshapen for the entirety of their life. That being said, they appeared to be doing just fine today - even getting playful at one point and initiating a voluntary close-up with us.
The fact that this little whale survived a killer whale predation event is likely a testament to the fiercely protective actions of their mama, CRC-17853, who we also saw today - right beside her calf. Mama is a 6 year-old Humpback Whale, and the oldest of the 3 known calves of “CHIN UP” - a beloved local favorite in the Bay. As a relatively young and (presumably) first-time mother, CRC-17853 was able to successfully protect her little calf from a pod of the ocean's most fearsome predators ... and we were profoundly thankful to spend some time in their presence today. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Photos & text by Naturalist Julie!

Next trips:
Sat. 11/30 at 12pm
Sun. 12/1 at 11am
Fri. 12/6-Sun. 12/8 at 11am

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




November 27th: We started off with a pair of small juvenile Humpback Whales, each less than 2 years old, feeding side-by...
11/28/2024

November 27th: We started off with a pair of small juvenile Humpback Whales, each less than 2 years old, feeding side-by-side in the east side of the Bay. Then we watched several lunge-feeding Humpback Whales enjoy some afternoon anchovies with a large cloud of seabirds hovering over them, ready to pick up the scraps!
Photos & text by Naturalist Julie!

Next trips:
Fri. 11/29 at 11am
Sat. 11/30 at 12pm
Sun. 12/1 at 11am

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




November 26th: Sightings Board done by our Naturalist on Tuesdays whale watch!Humpback Whales, Northern Elephant Seal, C...
11/27/2024

November 26th: Sightings Board done by our Naturalist on Tuesdays whale watch!
Humpback Whales, Northern Elephant Seal, California Sea Lions, lots of seabirds plus jellies!

Next trips:
Thurs. 11/28 at 10am
Fri. 11/29 at 11am
Sat. 11/30 at 12pm
Sun. 12/1 at 11am

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



11/26/24: Today we had a great trip with two humpback whales socializing! We also saw a juvenile elephant seal! We only ...
11/27/2024

11/26/24: Today we had a great trip with two humpback whales socializing! We also saw a juvenile elephant seal! We only rarely get a glimpse of these guys out on the water so it was a really special experience. The cherry on top were lots of California sea lions on the Santa Cruz mile buoy!
Photos & text by Naturalist Abby!

Next trips:
Wed. 11/27 at 11am
Thurs. 11/28 at 10am
Fri. 11/29 at 10am & 12pm
Sat. 11/30 at 12pm
Sun. 12/1 at 11am

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




Gray Whale season is approaching! December through April we see these whales traveling from their feeding grounds in Ala...
11/27/2024

Gray Whale season is approaching! December through April we see these whales traveling from their feeding grounds in Alaska, all the way to the Baja peninsula and back.
Photos taken by Sydney during the 2024 Gray Whale season!

And the Humpback Whales are still around now!

Next trips:
Wed. 11/27 at 11am
Thurs. 11/28 at 10am
Fri. 11/29 at 10am & 12pm
Sat. 11/30 at 12pm
Sun. 12/1 at 11am

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




November 24th: A beautiful afternoon with half a dozen young Humpback Whales snacking over the Soquel Canyon bef...
11/25/2024

November 24th:
A beautiful afternoon with half a dozen young Humpback Whales snacking over the Soquel Canyon before their upcoming southward migration. Lots of Pacific Sea Nettles and Moon Jellies today, with leaping California Sea Lions and an impressive juvenile Steller Sea Lion on the buoy!
Photos & text by Naturalist Julie

Next trips:
Tues. 11/26 at 11am
Wed. 11/27 at 11am
Thurs. 11/28 at 10am
Fri. 11/29 at 10am & 12pm
Sat. 11/30 at 12pm
Sun. 12/1 at 11am

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




11/17/24 Did you know, when humpback whales go to their breeding and calving grounds in tropical areas there isn’t much ...
11/22/2024

11/17/24 Did you know, when humpback whales go to their breeding and calving grounds in tropical areas there isn’t much food for them? This means they have to fast for months out of the year during their migration. Luckily, these humpback whales on Sunday’s trip were able to grab a few last bites to eat before their grueling journey to Mexico.

Photos & text by Naturalist Abby

Next trips:
Sat. 11/23 at 11am
Sun. 11/24 at 11am
Tues. 11/26 at 11am
Wed. 11/27 at 11am
Thurs. 11/28 at 10am
Fri. 11/29 at 10am & 12pm
Sat. 11/30 at 12pm
Sun. 12/1 at 11am

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




11/16/24 We had great looks at humpback whales on Saturday’s trip including a few not far off from Santa Cruz harbor! We...
11/21/2024

11/16/24 We had great looks at humpback whales on Saturday’s trip including a few not far off from Santa Cruz harbor! We also got to see a “rainblow” — a phenomenon when light hits a whale’s blow just right making a rainbow!
Photos & text by Abby.

Next trips:
Sat. 11/23 at 11am
Sun. 11/24 at 11am
Tues. 11/26 at 11am
Wed. 11/27 at 11am
Thurs. 11/28 at 10am
Fri. 11/29 at 10am & 12pm
Sun. 11/30 at 12pm
Mon. 12/1 at 11am

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




November 15th: Humpback Whales close to Santa Cruz! Photos and more details coming soon!Next trips: Sun. 11/16 at 12pmFr...
11/17/2024

November 15th: Humpback Whales close to Santa Cruz! Photos and more details coming soon!

Next trips:
Sun. 11/16 at 12pm
Fri. 11/22 at 11am
Sat. 11/23 at 11am
Sun. 11/24 at 11am
Tues. 11/26-Sun. 12/1 (various times)

Photo by Naturalist Julie (11/8)

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



Humpback Whales are still in Monterey Bay but might be heading down south in December. (Though it seems a few stick arou...
11/15/2024

Humpback Whales are still in Monterey Bay but might be heading down south in December. (Though it seems a few stick around the bay later every year!)
Photos by Naturalist Sydney. (Summer 2024)

Next trips:
Sat. 11/16 at 12pm
Sun. 11/17 at 12pm
Fri. 11/22 at 11am
Sat. 11/23 at 11am
Sun. 11/24 at 11am
Tues. 11/26-Sun. 12/1!
December trips coming soon!

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




11/10/24: We saw two pairs of adult humpback whales, all very big individuals! “Inverse” was hanging out with CRC-11106,...
11/14/2024

11/10/24: We saw two pairs of adult humpback whales, all very big individuals! “Inverse” was hanging out with CRC-11106, and “Tyongorae” was tagging along with a local favorite “Rip Curl”. You can see where Rip Curl gets her name- from her wave like dorsal fin! We also saw probably the biggest raft of sea lions your crew has ever seen, at least 1,000 strong!
Photos & text by Naturalist Abby.

Next trips: Sat. 11/16 at 12pm, Sun. 11/17 at 12pm, Fri. 11/22 at 11am.

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




We have many ocean themed gift ideas available at our gift shop! *Gift Cards for a whale watching or fishing adventure! ...
11/13/2024

We have many ocean themed gift ideas available at our gift shop!
*Gift Cards for a whale watching or fishing adventure! (Or call to order)
*Whale Calendars
*Shells
*Stuffed Animals
*Cards
*Whale Totes
*Whale Guides
*Mugs
*Beverage Napkins
*Shark Tooth Necklace
And much more!

We are open 7-days a week, 9am-4pm at 1718 Brommer St., Santa Cruz, CA 95062. Or call (831) 427-0230

11/09/24: Queue the JAWS theme music... On Saturday's trip, we saw a Steller's Sea Lion lounging on the mile buoy with a...
11/12/2024

11/09/24: Queue the JAWS theme music... On Saturday's trip, we saw a Steller's Sea Lion lounging on the mile buoy with a GIANT shark bite mark on its side! We also got great looks at a Humpback Whale mom, calf, and es**rt, and a few other humpbacks throughout the day! IDs of some of the individuals included Tyongorae, and CRC-15420 (likely the mom of the calf).
Photos & text by Naturalist Abby.

Next trips:
Sat. 11/16 at 12pm
Sun. 11/17 at 12pm
Fri. 11/22 at 11am

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




November 8th: Calm seas and GREAT looks at 5 big beautiful Humpback Whales! First a trio that included a cow/calf pair w...
11/09/2024

November 8th: Calm seas and GREAT looks at 5 big beautiful Humpback Whales! First a trio that included a cow/calf pair with an es**rt; then a duo that was feeding and traveling together. We also saw 2 BIG Steller Sea Lions on the mile marker buoy, one of which had a giant U-shaped shark bite on its back!
Photos & text by Naturalist Julie!

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

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




November 8th: We saw Humpback Whales on our trip today! More details and photos to come!Next trips:Sat. 11/9 at 12pmSun....
11/08/2024

November 8th: We saw Humpback Whales on our trip today! More details and photos to come!

Next trips:
Sat. 11/9 at 12pm
Sun. 11/10 at 11am
Mon. 11/11 at 10:30am

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







Archive photos by naturalist Julie from Oct. 2024

Not only do we experience some of the best whale watching around, but we also see a variety of other wildlife on our tou...
11/08/2024

Not only do we experience some of the best whale watching around, but we also see a variety of other wildlife on our tours. Including large numbers of unique sea birds, such as, Black-footed Albatross, Common Murre, Shearwaters and Phalaropes!
Photos & text by Sydney!

Next Whale trips:
Sat. 11/9 at 12pm
Sun. 11/10 at 11am
Mon. 11/11 at 10:30am

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




More photos from our EPIC day with Aurora’s Orca pod on October 11th! Nice tail lobs!Photos by Naturalist Sydney Next tr...
11/08/2024

More photos from our EPIC day with Aurora’s Orca pod on October 11th! Nice tail lobs!
Photos by Naturalist Sydney

Next trips:
Sat. 11/9 at 12pm
Sun. 11/10 at 11am
Mon. 11/11 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 - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

(831) 427-0230

Website

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Videos

Humpback whales from our trip on Oct. 14th! Video by naturalist Sam. Next trips: Sat. 11/23 & Sun. 11/24 at 11am. And Tues. 11/26-Sun. 12/1. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #ocean #santacruz #seabirds #whalewatching

November 10th: 1000’s of California Sea Lions on today’s whale watching trip! Video by Abby. Next trips: Sat 11/16 & Sun 11/17 at 12pm. Fri. 11/22 at 11am. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #santacruzwhalewatching #sealions #ocean #santacruz #whalewatching

Video from our Whale Watch on October 6th: An Orca pod including calves! Video by Naturalist Julie S. Next trips: Sat. 10/19 at 12pm, Mon. 10/21 at 11am, Fri. 10/25 at 11am. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean #santacruz#marinewildlife #orcas #seabirds #whalewatching

October 14th: Humpback Whales! Video by Naturalist Sam. Next trips: Fri. 10/18 at 11am, Sat. 10/19 at 12pm, Sun. 10/20 at 11am, Mon. 10/21 at 11am. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean #santacruz #seabirds #whalewatching

October 11: Orcas again! Aurora’s pod & “Jimmy”. Video by Naturalist Abby R. Next trips: Mon. 10/14 at 11am, Fri. 10/18 at 11am, Sat. 10/19 at 12pm, Sun. 10/20 at 11am. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats(831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #montereybay #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #ocean #santacruz #orcas #whalewatching

Video of Orcas! Aurora’s pod seen on our whale watch 10/6/24! Video by Naturalist Abby R. Next trips: Mon. 10/7 at 11am, Fri. 10/11 at 11am, Sun. 10/13 at 11am. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean #santacruz #orcas #seabirds #whalewatching

More from our Whale Watch on Sunday October 6th! Orcas including 2 calves! Video by Naturalist Abby R.

October 6th: ORCAS! Aurora’s pod with new two week old calf CA51A5, and Male, Jimmy (who is great uncle and great great uncle to the two calf’s in this pod (CA51A5 and CA51A2A respectively) The calfs we’re playing and breaching. We also had a friendly Humpback Whale! (CRC-12154). Video & text by Naturalist Abby R. Next trips: Mon. 10/7 at 11am, Fri. 10/11 at 11am, Sun. 10/13 at 11am, Mon. 10/14 at 11am. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats(831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean #santacruz#marinewildlife #orcas #seabirds #whalewatching

Cannot get enough of these friendly Humpback Whales! Two on this video from September 29th! Video by Naturalist Julie S. Next trips: Fri. 10/4 at 11am, Sat. 10/5 at 12:15pm, Sun. 10/6 at 11am, Mon. 10/7 at 11am. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com#whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean

September 29th: Friendly Humpback Whales again checking us out! Next trips: Mon. Fri. Sat. Sun. Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean #santacruz #orcas #seabirds #whalewatching Video by Naturalist Abby R.

September 25th: Friendly Humpback Whale playing with kelp! Video by Naturalist Sydney Minges. Next trips: Sat/Sun/Mon! Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean #santacruz #marinewildlife #orcas #seabirds #whalewatching

September 25th: Another friendly Humpback Whale! This one showing us some flipper, then went upside down and was also playing with kelp! Video by Naturalist Sydney Minges. Next trips: Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon! Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats (831) 427-0230 www.santacruzwhalewatching.com #whales #humpbackwhales #montereybay #marinesanctuary #santacruzwhalewatching #dolphins #seaotters #sealions #ocean #santacruz #marinewildlife #orcas #seabirds #whalewatching

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