Yesterday's weather was made even more perfect while enjoying a whale watch with Captain John out of Plymouth MA. We journeyed out to Stellwagen Bank and saw 30 WHALES, dolphins and grey seals! It was an exceptional day for viewing these amazing creatures. I would like to highlight our tour guide and narrator, Lindsay who is a naturalist and someone whose passion, expertise and knowledge was palpable. She is articulate and personable combining just the right amount of enthusiasm and humor throughout the trip. You could feel not only her energy but her authentic respect and devotion to educating others about these giants of the ocean. I feel blessed everyday that I get to live near the ocean here in Massachusetts and to know these amazing mammals live and breathe in our waters. Thank you to Lindsay and the entire Crew on Captain John's Whale Watch! read more

They offer great boat rides. Knowledgeable staff, clean bathrooms, reasonable prices. They do offer light snacks and drinks for a reasonable price. Great energy, many different boat trips to suit all. read more

I thought that the staff was extremely knowledgeable and I learned quite a bit on the whale watch this week. I appreciated the care that the team took to give the whales some space while they were doing their essential feeding. I do recommend bringing some anti-nausea measures with you. read more

Captain John Boats - Salt - Fishing Near Me - Plymouth, Massachusetts

The return trip from Provincetown on 7/18/26 was unacceptable and genuinely unsafe. I've spent years in the boating industry, and what I witnessed was not a matter of "rough seas" -- it was a matter of poor judgment and improper vessel handling. The captain maintained a speed completely inappropriate for the sea state, causing violent hull slamming for nearly the entire crossing. Passengers were being thrown around, hanging onto tables just to stay upright. Several people were vomiting. This went on for an hour. At multiple points, the impact force was strong enough that injuries could easily have occurred and may have. With roughly 100 passengers aboard, this was not just uncomfortable -- it was dangerous. They better hope lawsuits do not come their way. The weather and wave conditions were fully predictable well before departure. Any competent operator would have known to reduce speed, adjust heading, or delay the trip. Instead, the captain chose to plow through steep chop at high speed, ignoring basic seamanship principles and putting everyone at unnecessary risk. To make matters worse, the crew announcer praised the captain afterward and asked for tips, while many passengers were shaken and demanding refunds. The disconnect between the crew's messaging and the reality of the situation was astonishing. This was not an unavoidable rough ride -- it was the result of reckless decision‑making. The captain's handling of the vessel was unacceptable, and the company should be held accountable for allowing a trip to be run in such a manner. Captain Johns needs to re-evaluate their quality control and training protocols. read more

Tall ships narrated tour 7/12 overcrowded boat, very congested , only good view was backsides of people. could not hear narrator, total disappointment read more

Our whale watching experience here was absolutely fantastic! The crew on the boat were a pleasure to be around and they made the experience educational and fun. Our reservation time got changed due to the location of the whales, but they informed us early enough to make reasonable accommodations and it worked out even better for us. We got to see so many animals, and we even saw a fin whale and her calf. The food on board was surprisingly good as well, although if you want to save a couple bucks, you can always bring snacks with you. I highly recommend giving Captain John Boats a shot if you're interested in seeing whales read more

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Great trip. We learned a lot from the naturalist on board as she narrated the trip. And we saw plenty of whales.

We went for the July 4th cruise at night. Worst experience. We waited 1.5 hours, front of the line. 3 boats. 1st 1 they boarded with other ticket holders that had chartered the boat, they had room for 46 more. None on the top deck. Several of us who had wanted to be on the top deck were told "if we didn't bored we would have to go to the very end of the line". Then one of the crew members 's said "we just won't go out. We'll stay here.". Again, half the line refused to board all of us awaiting the other two Cruise boats so that we could be on the top deck. The crew became even more rude, making all of us very uncomfortable. The crew finally allowed us to go on the other two cruise boats. When we had bought the tickets, the advertisement had mentioned how it would be going up towards Boston and we would be experiencing the fireworks from all around the Boston area. Very misleading we only stayed in the Plymouth Bay area. Yes, we could see some firework shows from around, but not like what had been advertised. Very disappointing especially with the crew's attitude. Extremely unprofessional.. this made the celebration of the 250th anniversary of America, what was supposed to be a great memory only turned out to be a negative one. read more

- Comfortable boat. - Great sound system (so you can easily hear the naturalist / marine biology tour guides) - Beautiful summer day - Lots of whales! (thanks to the knowledgable captain) What more can you ask for when going on a whale watch, right? Sorry about the lack of pics (I only have videos of the whales), but trust me. We had many great views of humpback whales enjoying the abundance of fresh baitfish and krill in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. We had a great time and would be very glad to ride with them again. read more

Captain John Boats - Fishing Near Me - Plymouth, Massachusetts

The crew was great and very smooth sailing. We took the P town ferry that was supposed to leave at 10 am and return at 6 pm to Plymouth. It was late leaving and late to return by about 30 minutes each way, which cut down our time to spend in Provincetown. They have a good variety of snacks and drinks on board and bathrooms. read more

From the start everyone that worked for Captain John Boats was well-informed and organized. They have your name on a list. They explained everything that was happening. They explained where we were headed to, what to see, asked everyone to be kind to one another and enjoy the star of the show and reason why we are all there...the whales! There were young people, old people, and everyone in between. People were very considerate and kind to one another. When we finally find the whales the naturalist explained everything that was transpiring. The captain did an incredible job ensuring BOTH sides of the boat were able to get ample views of the 2-3 whales we saw on this day. The way he was able to turn the boat around, get close to the whales without being intrusive AND make sure both sides of the boat got to see the whales was unbelievable. After spending a respectable amount of time tracking the 2-3 whales we saw on this day. We headed back to shore. I would definitely go again. You could see 2-3 whales or you could pick a great weekend and see 10,20,30. Bring snacks if you like. It is a 4 hour trip. I did get a parking ticket. However I think I just parked in the wrong place. I paid for 4 hours which was the max, and the trip was 4 hours. The parking attendants are EVERYWHERE. And will get you even if you are 3 minutes over! read more

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Ticket purchase was easy. Boarding was quick. The trip was great. Crew was helpful.

We had an amazing time on Capt John's Boats for whale watching! The day we went the weather wasn't great, very foggy and overcast, but we still managed to see a variety of species and even saw a whale poop twice (which is kind of a big deal lol). I can see myself making this an annual experience, and would highly recommend it! read more

We always have a great time on their whale watches. Park across the street at 130 water street- that is where the 10 hour parking is. Lots around the wharf are 4 hour maximums. Get their early to get in line- we personally like the front portion of the upper deck to get underneath a overhang and out of the sun. Guide gave a nice narrative on Plymouth harbor and related sites as we went out. Saw several whales - good sightings and explanation of the species. We brought water and snacks on board- they have a galley but it is pricey. read more

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Went out on Tues august 19th. I have been out on the whale watchers before but the young women who narrated was FANTASTIC! I forget her name but I am sure you can find out. She deserves a raise. She was the best I have ever had. read more

I'd leave negative stars if that was an option. I had booked a 9 a.m. whale watch. Let's just say I'm leaving this review because I'm on the shore. I had to run across the two piers. When I got to the desk at 9am I was told the boat left. It's funny how I could still see the boat and also people still getting settled in on the boat itself. We missed it by a second after a second. They don't mind taking 75 dollars from you for each person. I would never recommend this place to anyone ever again. The fact that I had made it with the boat still attached to the pier and be told it already took off is a joke. Captain Joke is what this company should be called. They have the worst instructions it should state which pier it is on. Im sure this review won't do anything. I probably won't even hear from them. I could see if I was late by a minute but to be there for 9 and still be told no. read more

These folks are legit in every way. Booking to the trip of a lifetime! Thank you to all the absolutely kind people who work here. Saw a total of 35 to 40 whales on Saturday and loved it. The biologist on the tour was terrific, and the whole crew was kind and polite. This could be best 4 hours or so spent, in who knows how long. They know the spots, and taught a lot about whale behavior. The trip from Plymouth to Provincetown area and back, absolutely loved the boat ride. Am susceptible to motion sickness. Not one problem. In fact I decided to say to heck with it, and sat up at the front, oh the way back when the boat was moving quickly. Other than having fun no side effects. This is the whale watch you'll want to do. Family friendly fun! read more

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razzle dazzle special travel spent the afternoon. on the ocean watching whales on Captain John's Boat. it was amazing and so much fun Great staff and great Captain. Thanks again read more

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Great and very knowledgeable crew. Of course, trips will vary depending on the weather and what the whales are up to. But even on days where I did not see an appearance, I always had fun listening to their crew. Been going with them a few years now. read more

We utilized Captain John for the whale watching tour and are so glad we did! We had an amazing experience and saw several types of whales along with a sea turtle and learned so much about the marine life in the area. Beware that the boat is CASH ONLY so don't make the same mistake we did. We really want to give a shout out to Kim, the photographer! She took everyone's photos upon boarding the boat. When she asked if we would like to buy ours for $10, we told her we'd love to but had no cash, and made a joke that we couldn't even get a bottle of water. Not only did she give us our photo for free, but she came back out a few minutes later with a bottle of water and just asked us to pay it forward. This act of kindness really put the experience over the top for us! Our one small criticism is that the trip is a bit long, an hour shorter would have been preferred. But still so glad we used Captain John! read more

Absolutely amazing day. Saw many humpback whales and 2 calves. We located ourselves at the stern and it wasn't over crowded and we had a great view. The boat was at capacity so we had to stand for 4 hours. Arrive early to get a seat. Bring your lunch, snacks and a jacket. read more

The crew on the Capt John whale watch that worked on July 29were the best crew I've ever had the pleasure of sailing with. Jackie, Anthony and Zack went out of their to help my special needs clients feel comfortable on the watch. To help one of my clients down and back up the stairs was above and beyond their job description. Yet, they did it with a great attitude and with smiles. I can't thank you all enough. A special shout out toCap't Mike who made it a point to come and say hi. read more

10/10 recommend! Lovely boat ride and saw so many humpback whales. What an amazing experience.

We had a great time at Captain John's Boats!Captain John's Whale Watch! This review is beng written Sept.2023. some of the hints are relevant for the specific season. First a few hints: *Bring layers or dress in layers - You never know when it's going to get chilly or hot- There's a lot of wind on the way out to the deep sea for whale watching...and there are times when the boat doesn't move much...if the weather is hot, you might want to bring a sweatshirt or jacket *Sun sensitive? Don't forget the sunblock. Or, hat, and sunglasses. * Get there early. Sometimes finding parking is easy; other times it can take a while. This would depend on the weather that day, the time of day for which you book your whale watch (easier to find parking early in the morning), and the time of year. *If you have a handicapped placard, parking is free in Plymouth municipal lots. *We got there early and had a hard time finding a breakfast place that wasn't too crowded... and then we found one right near the dock. Tavern on the Wharf serves brunch starting at ten. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and the back of restaurant outdoor seating opens at ten. Front of restaurant outdoor seating opens at 11.and are steps from the Capt. John's dock. *It's a good idea to bring an extra plastic bag on the boat with you. These are light, can be easily packed, and come in handy if you decide to sit on the top deck and go downstairs for snacks. Having a bag in which to carry the drinks or snacks, allows you to buy beverages for your friends, too....Otherwise, walking up the steep stairs and holding the rail while carrying drinks, etc. can get wobbly. NOW FOR THE BOAT RIDE.... Beautiful as always...This was our second trip this summer! Although I know from experience that you don't always see a lot of whales each time, we did see many both times that we went out this summer. Yesterday we took the 12:00 boat . Earlier in the summer, we had taken a morning boat ride. Both boat rides were full, but the 12 o'clock was considerably more crowded. The naturalist, captain, and staff were excellent -- explaining the ground rules, asking people to be kind to each other on the boat, teaching about the whales, etc. The naturalist on the 12 o'clock boat was highly engaging, fun, etc. And sheexplained very clearly about the whales. We had a windy ride out to the deep water as we set out on our journey. Once we arrived, it was very fun to see the whales. The ocean, itself, is always beautiful... and it was simply fun and relaxing to be on the water. We would definitely do this again. Everybody did excellent, and I give it five stars. That said, I would like to make a few suggestions. One is that the naturalist sometimes missed announcing location of some of the whales. There were times, when they were whales being described on one side of the boat... And I could physically see whales on the other side of the boat. I think it would've been helpful for her to have done a quick announcement of "clock" location of all whales ...when this happened. Then she could've gone back to talking about the whales that she had been describing. She did excellent, though, and the trip definitely deserves five stars. I think that the captain was making an effort to show the whales to folks on both sides of the boat... this was a good idea, and I recommend continuing to turn the boat around so that both sides can see the whales. read more

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I have enjoyed fishing trips in the past with Captain John Boats, on some we catch a lot of fish, and on others nothing, but I consider that comes with the nature of fishing. The staff is super friendly. This year I have booked 3 times, and we had 3 last minute cancellations on pitch perfect days, on holiday weekends (high demand?). It actually makes me wonder if we are being bumped to accommodate others, maybe higher paying customers, friends, or even private outings? I'm not really sure but it really stinks when plans get messed up having reserved weeks in advance, and when I have family members and friends traveling to the Cape just for the fishing trip. I don't give it a one star based on my past experiences, but I'll definitely start looking elsewhere to book my fishing trips I would not recommend if you are looking for certainty in dates, I was left scrambling looking for another boat but the chances to get one on a beautiful weather holiday weekend are slim to none. This is unacceptable read more

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience. Well run, professional, clean, fun for all ages. Naturalist did a great job educating us. Arrive early to get parking and buy your tickets on line. Great memories. read more

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Had such a blast on our whale watching tour, we were out and back right on time, and got to see a lot of whales, some very close to the boat. The tour leader was very knowledgeable and cared a lot for the well being of the whales. read more

Captain John Boats - Whales breaching - Fishing Near Me - Plymouth, Massachusetts

Had a great time and saw so many whales, dolphins, and seals. Thomas was our guide and he was great. Would definitely recommend

Well, we definitely saw lots of whales! We opted for the 9:00 AM departure on a Sunday. The only other option is 2:00 PM. They offer just the two times because you'll practically voyage across the Atlantic to get to the whale hang out. It took about 90 minutes before our first sighting. We hung out in the area for about an hour, took lots of pictures and then headed back. That said, plan for about 4 hours total. And on that note, be sure to park your car in the public pay-by-the hour parking lot, not in the two-hour lot just in front of where the boat departs. Other tips: -Dress warm. It gets windy out there, but there's an indoor lower deck where you can sit. -Bring cash if you want to donate to the whale preservation volunteers or buy a "obligatory" picture they take of you before you board for $10. -Arrive early. The captain takes his departure time seriously. -Keep your eye out on Groupon. We got our two tickets there for $48 total. read more

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Saw plenty of whales and the tour guide kept the ride interesting, telling us and the other boat riders about not only the whales but other sea life and some of the landmarks and formations we saw from the boat. Pretty much immediately we saw a Humpback whale and it's calf which was really good. Definitely would go whale watching again with this company! read more

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This would have been a four star review if it was based solely on fishing, but there were a few issues. First off, this is the first boat that I have gone on (and the last) where you cannot bring your own beer or wine because it will impact their liquor license. That would not have been so bad if they did not charge a whopping $8.00 per can of beer. They need to do a better job of explaining the no beer/price gouging policy before people purchase tickets. If we would have known that ahead of time, we would have drove to Pt Judith, RI to fish instead. In addition beer monopoly issue, some of the younger decks hands were outstanding, while other seemed to have an attitude and lacked basic customer service skills when speaking to customers. Needless to say, there were not many people drinking. Thank God for flasks and medicinal cookies! read more

Our guide was so nice to answer my toddlers' questions. (She didn't know how many sharks were in the ocean, but there are about 12 great whites in Cape Cod) We didn't get to see the abundant number of whales, but the ones we did see were so close to the boat! We also got to see dolphins! (A rarity, apparently!) read more

Amazing experience with Captain John Boats, saw 4 whales really close up at one time and lots of seals. Went on a weekday and the boat wasn't crowded at all, had just the right number of people. Staff and naturalist were all great. Cafeteria inside is small but good. Would def go again if friends or family are in town. read more

If I could give no stars I would. I scheduled this tour while traveling from Arizona. My son and parents were looking forward to it. We got on the boat and it was already full even though we were not late. My elderly parents could not stand for 3 hours. I asked no less then 5 workers for assistance with we cannot do anything... not Sorry there is nothing we can do... just we dont care and there is nothing we can do. I asked to speak to the manager who refused to speak with us. Not busy... not even an untrue excuse.. but just refuse to speak to us. They refused to even ask if people could shift to close the spaces between that were not quite big enough for an adult. I explained for health reasons they could not stand and their only answer was we do not give refunds. DO NOT BOOK these. When the boat left there were over 40 people standing and it was because they over booked. One of the girls working at the ticket booth finally admitted that is always the case. Horrible customer service and no care for those with special needs. I would think this is even a violation of ADA. The horrible customer service combined with ethically questionable practices should keep you away. Do not give them your money. There are other companies who do the same service with more courtesy. read more

Are very comfortable Bessel knowledgeable staff, who were very informative about the whales' past and present. We saw five humpback whales.

We went on whale watch on 07/22/2022 2p session. The weather could not have been any worse for the watch, but the staff tried to make it enjoyable..the tour guide was great and she was very upbeat considering..once there it did not take long and we were surrounded by whale and the weather did not matter anymore..we were lucky enough to even see a whale breach the water completely. .this is our second with Captain John and we will be back. read more

We signed up for a haddock trip. Halfway out they informed us they were no haddock to be caught. They said we were going for redfish and hake. There were about 75 people on the boat and about 10 fish were caught. The captain only move the boat a couple of times, and not very far. They certainly were not searching to find fish for us. It was a complete waste of over $100 and not worth one cent of it. read more

Unbelievable service. Amazing experience! My 3 year old dropped her toy overboard and went bananas--two of the amazing women on board (Reagan and Delia) went above and beyond to comfort my children. They hugged them, showed them the paddle board and gave them complimentary candy to make sure they had a great experience. I take my kids on this boat ride the first week of summer every year, and I will continue for years to come! Worth every cent. 10/10! read more

So much fun! Captain and crew do a good job of making sure everyone on the ship gets a good view. Great for families and kids! read more

Captain John Boats - Whale - Fishing Near Me - Plymouth, Massachusetts

Great outfit! Family friendly, extremely accommodating to our requests to change our reservation due to fear of rain without question! Son got a little sea sick and they cared, gave us some water for him and made him feel comfortable. The crew were great, bags for your fish clearly named, rounded with ice to keep them cold, food and beverage selection in the boat decent. Parking nearby short walk from visitor parking! I recommend the parking app Park Plymouth very easy to use. We will be back next year for sure! read more

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