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Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters

Name: Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters
Address: 1718 Brommer Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, US
Telephone: (831) 427-0230
Price range: $$
Rating: 4.8

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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.

11/07/2024

Another common active behavior we see from our local Humpback Whales is tail-lobbing! They enjoy lifting their powerful tail high out of the water and creating large splashes!
Photos taken May 17th by Sydney.

Next trips:
Fri. 11/8 at 11am
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

11/07/2024

Another active behavior we occasionally get to see from our local Humpback Whales is the Chin-Slap! Similar to a breach, this full body behavior occurs when a whale decides to come straight out of the water and slap their chin down on the surface; creating a very loud splash!
Photos taken on May 6th by Sydney.

Next trips:
Fri. 11/8 at 11am
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

11/06/2024

Pec-slapping is another common active behavior we get to see from our local Humpback Whales! This occurs when these giants decide to roll on their side at the surface and extend their large pectoral fins (“arms”) into the air. Photos taken on May 20th by naturalist Sydney.

Next trips:
Fri. 11/8 at 11am
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

11/05/2024

November 3rd: A windy adventure today with several humpback whales feeding up in the north side of the Bay and Southern Sea Otters napping in the kelp at Pleasure Point.
Photos & text by Naturalist Julie.

Next trips:
Fri. 11/8 at 11am
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

11/04/2024

November 2nd: Great looks at vertical lunge-feeding from multiple different Humpback Whales today, including a potential cow/calf (mama/baby) pair!

Photos & text by Naturalist Julie

Next trips:
Fri. 11/8 at 11am
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

11/02/2024

More photos from our EPIC Orca day with Aurora’s pod a couple weeks ago! (Oct. 11th)
Photos & text by Naturalist Sydney!

Next trips:
Sat. 11/2 at 12pm
Sun. 11/3 at 12pm
Fri. 11/8 at 11am
(Most Fri/Sat/Sun/Mon in November)

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

11/01/2024

10/28/24 We had a whale of a time with several humpback whales on Monday’s trip, seeing several breaches (two from our local Santa Cruz celebrity “Dangerzone”), tail slaps, and tail throws! The wind couldn’t keep us or the whales down today and all this activity made this trip one for the books!
Photos & text by Naturalist Abby!

Next trips:
Sat. 11/2 at 12pm
Sun. 11/3 at 12pm
Mon. 11/4 at 11am
Fri. 11/8 at 11am

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

10/31/2024

October 27th: Sunday’s trip got a real show with several different behaviors from the humpback whales including some tail throws, feeding behaviors, and even some spontaneous breaches! But between you and me, the sea lions really stole the show today with one trailing the back of the boat for several minutes, jumping and even flipping out of the water! Passengers got a taste of why your crew jokingly call sea lions “furry dolphins” today; they really put on a show!
Photos & text by Naturalist Abby!

Next trips:
Sat. 11/2 at 12pm
Sun. 11/3 at 12pm
Mon. 11/4 at 11am
Fri. 11/8 at 11am

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

10/31/2024

10/26/24: We had a great time on Saturday’s whale watch! We were able to see our local favorite right out of the gate that we’ve nicknamed “Dangerzone” with the beautiful backdrop of the Santa Cruz boardwalk! We spent time with several other humpback whales farther offshore, but a highlight is when we were approached by one who checked out the boat for a minute! Don’t worry, our engines were in neutral for the entire encounter. When whales make the decision to people watch, it’s truly an unforgettable experience!
Photos & text by Naturalist Abby.

Next trips:
Sat. 11/2 at 12pm
Sun. 11/3 at 12pm
Mon. 11/4 at 11am
Fri. 11/8 at 11am

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

10/30/2024

We see a variety of behaviors from our local Humpback Whales on our trips, including spectacular breaches when we get lucky!
Photos taken on May 17 by Sydney.

Next trips:
Sat. 11/2 at 12pm
Sun. 11/3 at 12pm
Mon. 11/4 at 11am
Fri. 11/8 at 11am

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

10/29/2024

Occasionally we get treated with extra special Humpback Whales that decide to interact with the boat. This typically only occurs a handful of times a year, but when it does we simply put the boat in neutral and enjoy the friendly behavior.
Photos & text by Sydney.

Next trips:
Sat. 11/2 at 12pm
Sun. 11/3 at 12pm
Mon. 11/4 at 11am
Fri. 11/8 at 11am

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

10/28/2024

More from October 25th! Twenty+ Humpback Whales!
Photos by naturalist Julie!

Next trips: Fri. 11/1 at 11am, Sat. 11/2 at 12pm, Sun. 11/3 at 12pm, Mon. 11/4 at 11am!

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

10/28/2024

October 25th: Great looks at multiple humpback whales in the shallows right outside the Santa Cruz harbor, plus 20+ humpback whales feeding, traveling, and socializing out in the north side of the bay! Lots of dramatic dives and tail swishing today, especially in one of the competitive groups we observed! Individuals identified through Happywhale included 14 year-old "Streak" and 2 year-old "Danger Zone" (HW-MN0503536).
Photos & text by Naturalist Julie!

Next trips:
Mon. 10/28 at 10:30am
Fri. 11/1 at 11am
Sat. 11/2 at 12pm
Sun. 11/3 at 12pm

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

10/26/2024

We have 2025 Calendars for sale at the shop! Photos by naturalist Sydney Minges!
8.5” wide, 11” long/open, 5.5” long/closed. Nice small size for your purse or small office!
$10/each.
Buy at office or we can mail to you if you’re out of town.

Santa Cruz Whale Watching and Stagnaro Charter Boats
(831) 427-0230
1718 Brommer St.
Santa Cruz, CA 95062
www.santacruzwhalewatching.com

10/25/2024

Oct. 20th:
We started off the day with one of our Santa Cruz favorites, HW-MN0503536 (affectionately nicknamed “Danger Zone” by your crew) less than 2 miles off shore! After exploring the canyon some, we ended up finding 20+ other humpback whales as well, feeding, socializing, and even kelping! The cherries on top of a great day was a dinner plate sized mola mola (aka an oceanic sunfish) sitting on the water’s surface and two incredibly curious mom pup otters who approached the boat! Otters are typically very shy so it was mind blowing to get such a good look at these two!

Photos & text by Naturalist Abby

Next trips:
Fri. 10/25 at 11am
Sat. 10/26 at 12:15pm
Sun. 10/27 at 11am
Mon. 10/28 at 11am

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

10/25/2024

October 21st: In crystal clear viewing conditions we saw a Humpback Whale cow/calf (mama/baby) pair escorted by "Tyongorae", and another Humpback rolling around playfully in a mass of kelp fronds. Southern Sea Otters rounded out the day, and lots of seabirds enjoying anchovies outside the harbor mouth.
Photos & text by Naturalist Julie.

Next trips:
Fri. 10/25 at 11am
Sat. 10/26 at 12:15pm
Sun. 10/27 at 11am
Mon. 10/28 at 11am

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

10/24/2024

10/19/2024:
Glass calm conditions + 20 lungefeeding humpback whales = the perfect day out on the water!
These whales were in scattered groups, continuously feeding on copious amounts of anchovies in the bay. The supporting cast included sea lions, as well as hundreds of birds picking off the scraps! It was truly one for the books.
Photos & text by Naturalist Abby

Next trips:
Fri. 10/25 at 11am
Sat. 10/26 at 12:15pm
Sun. 10/27 at 11am
Mon. 10/28 at 11am

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

10/23/2024

October 14th: Awesome looks at active Humpback Whales, including an active cow/calf (mama/baby) pair who were pec slapping TOGETHER!
Photos & text by Julie!

Next trips:
Fri. 10/25 at 11am
Sat. 10/26 at 12:15pm
Sun. 10/27 at 11am
Mon. 10/28 at 11am

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

https://www.santacruzwhalewatching.com/

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Videos

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

Sept. 23rd: Humpback Whales feeding close to the boat! Video by Naturalist Sam S. Next trips: Wed. 9/25 at 11am. Fri. 9/27 at 11am. Sat. 9/28 at 12pm. Sun. 9/29 at 11am. Mon. 9/30 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

Sat. September 21st: Encounter with a friendly Humpback Whale that went right under the boat! Next trips Mon. 9/23 at 11am/Wed. 9/25 at 11am/fri. 9/27 at 11am/Sat.9/28 at 11am/Sun. 9/29 at 12pm 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. Video by Naturalist Julie S.