This experience topped all of our expectations! The crew, Isaiah and Maddy, were knowledgeable and friendly. The captain, Danny Frank, was very competent, not only with handling the boat but also with getting us close enough to the sea life to really feel that we were in it! We saw so many dolphins it was hard to estimate but maybe 200? We were able to stay long enough that we felt satisfied but then it was on to the whales! We ran across so many groups of whales! But the last stop was definitely the best: there was a group of at least 3 humpback whales mingling with a gray whale. The crew of the boat were all stoked because they said it was an experience that was rare even for them. At the end of the excursion, Isaiah was generous enough to share some of his fabulous photographs with all of us. All in all, it was an amazing day spent observing these incredible animals in their natural environment. Thanks Discovery Whale Watch for an epic experience! read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Whale - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Such a fantastic whale watching experience for our first time! Although it started off pretty foggy, we could still see at least 20 sightings of humpback whales. Once the fog cleared up, it was extraordinary - we saw even more whales popping up by the minute as we went to an area they were feeding at. Not to mention, there were also tons of sea lions and various birds surrounding our boat at any moment. The 3 hours went by too fast as we were all taking photos and videos non-stop. Lastly, the trip was made even more memorable thanks to naturalist Isaiah, deckhand Caila, and Captain Danny. They were all extremely knowledgeable about all of the wildlife and natural phenomena out there, which added to the comprehensive experience of the tour. I learned a lot about the Monterey Bay ecosystem as a whole. For all of those intellectually curious folks out there, you'll get more than whale facts! Thank you to all three of you for making this an awesome tour. I hope to be back at a different time of year! read more

Like to thank Isaiah our narrator for a great experience. It was nice of him to arrange a feeding frenzy, able to view Sea Lions, Sea Gulls, and Whales having brunch together. However, our captain did a great job find every bump in the ocean. (Kidding) the sea was rocky which add to this great experience. Definitely will do it again. Thanks, Discovery, for a lifelong rememberable experience. read more

We took a whale watching tour with Discovery Whale Watch this past week when we we stopped in Monterey on our drive through California. The tour was great - we saw several humpbacks, lots of sea lions, otters, and some birds. Our naturalist/guide was really friendly and knowledgeable (I think his name was Andrew?) - he answered all the questions our group came up with and more! He was great at pointing us in the right direction for quick views of the whales. The water was a little rough (we got a little/lot drenched on the deck of the boat), but it was an absolutely gorgeous day. We felt really lucky to be out on the water with Discovery on such a gorgeous day and to see humpback whales! The only downside for me is that they called us the day before our tour to tell us that no one else was scheduled for our afternoon tour the following day and that they would cancel it if no one else joined (they did offer to put us on the morning tour but that would have forced us to restructure our whole morning as we were staying Carmel, not Monterey). They didn't call us the next day to update us so I called them and it turned the tour was on. (In the meantime, I had been googling backups that fill it into our schedule, so I wish they had updated us so we didn't bother with the research.) Our tour ended up having eight people on it, which was great - we weren't crowded at all! It was a great experience. I'd happily take another tour with them again. read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

What a wonderful experience! From beginning to end, the staff was welcoming. They called me before the tour to let me know there was some road closures due to a marathon so I could plan and not be late. On the boat, they kept a checking on me and my daughter to see how we were feeling (my daughter was slightly sea sick)... they brought us up close and personal with the sea life, while still respecting distance. The boat was very clean, safe and they have two bathrooms that are nice. Which was a huge plus. I appreciated all the outside space and really got to "be" on the ocean. I would definitely take a trip with them again and recommend this company to anyone! read more

Got a whale of a tale to tell ya all got a whale of a tale that's true Bout chatted maidens and the stuff we love And days like this with the blue above A tale of some whales and it's all true I swear by my tattoo There was Sea-Man Isaiah, (clap clap)met him in Monterey Bay He woo'd us like (clap clap) we were plankton drifters (clap clap) Then would shout like, there she blows "A spout" Blow me down and pick me up That big grey popped out! (Clap clap) Hey... not much compares in life people... seeing some of the biggest mammals on the planet while singing sea shanties and sharing memories with old and new friends... viewing the WHOLE Monterey Bay and beyond to Big Sur... so many species of wild life ... in this wild life...live a little and grab a view from the other side of the sand! It won't disappoint! read more

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Please Just take the Dramamine! My family of 4 took the 4-hour tour in mid-June. We saw so many whales, sea lions, dolphins, and otters. The wildlife was amazing. What was not amazing was the amount of people getting sick on the boat. At least 6 people were seasick because they did not take the Dramamine in advance. What worked for us was taking half of one the night before bed and the other half with a light breakfast. The tour is so worth it, but please prepare yourself for rough seas before you go. read more

Every aspect of the trip was perfect. The smaller boat was superior to the larger boats at other vendors, and the crew was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. Although, the business cannot control sightings of the wildlife, the encounters were amazing. I recommend Discovery Whale Watch - five stars! read more

FANTASTIC ADVENTURE! We had a wonderful whale watching trip with Isaiah and the crew. We were super lucky with the weather, it was a clear sunny day. On the way out, Isaiah gave us all a bunch of fascinating info about the Monterey Bay and why it attracts the whales, what kind of whales we would see (Humpbacks), and what to look for when scanning the horizon so we'd be in the best position to see the whales. (Watch for lots of sea birds, sea lions and seals milling about on the surface -- there is probably a whale nearby.) We had so many whale sightings we couldn't keep track, and when a whale would break the surface, Isaiah would tell us about that whale if he recognized it (Flopsy spent a lot of time near the surface, so we got to hear a lot about her and her calf Mopsy!) It was an amazing adventure and we plan to come back again! Jan and Jack Hagemann read more

What a beautiful day! After an easy check in you'll meet the crew. For us it was Kevin and Jeremiah Can't thank Kevin and Jeremiah enough. Answers to every question, clearly knowledgeable about the Monterey Bay and ecosystem. When people enjoy their jobs it really shows! Boat was perfect size so not too crowded giving Kevin and Jeremiah ample opportunity to be available for everyone. Lots of whales!! So spectacular! And lastly, our Captain had us feeling we were on an ocean version of a Rolls Royce! He had that boat perfectly positioned in seconds for any whale siting. I will definitely use them again! read more

I've gone whale watching from Maine to Hawaii and if I was "lucky ", I'd see a fin or two. This all changed for me yesterday, when my husband and I jumped in the car to take a trip to Monterey. We barely made in time for our departure and it would have been a missed opportunity if we had been late! Isiah, Andrew and the Captain were fabulous and beyond knowledgeable....and most importantly, they love their job! An hour into our trip we saw an epic show of humpback whales. I've never in my life witnessed anything so majestic as these beautiful creatures. If the Captain maneuvered away from the whales, they just came closer to the boat to interact with it. They were breaching around us and flopping back into the water, splashing us for at least 45 minutes! Like I stated, I've done some whale watching and to witness something this spectacular in my own backyard was a phenomenal once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget! Thank you so much Discovery Whale Watch! read more

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My husband and I absolutely loved this whale watching tour! Our guide, Sophie, was awesome! We were lucky enough to see absolutely 5 Humpback whales feeding! So incredible! I highly recommend Discovery Whale Watch! Our tour was at 5pm in the beginning of August. read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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What a highlight to our California trip! I did a good bit of research on all the options for Monterey and am SO grateful for selecting Discovery because it was amazing! We went out on a Wednesday at 9am and as many other boats left at the same time, ours felt customized in the sense that Danny, the captain, broke from the pack and we ended up in an area with close to 10 humpback whales! We understood that our day was special because we saw multiple breach the surface and very active feeding. After an hour watching the whales, he pushed out further to see if we could find more - and more we found! Danny located an area with three types of dolphins present and the star of the show, Casper, an albino risso dolphin! Honorable mention, Andrew, directed majority of the tour and informed us of all the information of the species, answered questioned and also a bit of entertainment by singing a sea shanty upon our arrival back to the bay! Can't wait to go again and maybe hire for a fishing adventure! Thank you so much for the memories!! read more

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Everything about this company was amazing! We've lived in this area for a near decade and never went whale watching before. Our 11 year old was eager to go and when we had questions, we emailed and received immediate responses that helped us confirm we will book the tickets. When we arrived at the wharf we headed to the dock and had a pleasant waiting area where we were greeted by the team (Andrews). We received helpful information and both Andrews were helpful funny and professional. When we boarded the boat, there was plenty of space for everyone to sit comfortably, including our dog. Andrew spoke on the microphone so we could all hear, guiding us and helping us understand what we were seeing which was helpful. We saw humpback whales, dolphins, sun fish, sea otters, fun sea creatures as well as amazing waves. The only boat ride we went on before was the boat that took us to Alcatraz and it was fairly quick with no waves. So while we understood there may be choppy waves, we were a little anxious at how these waves look out in the ocean and moving with them. Anxiety aside, the team kept it lighthearted and were helpful to the entire group, offering refreshments to keep everyone comfortable. The team even offered ginger motion sickness pills before boarding which was helpful because we didn't get sick. The waves were getting choppy toward the end but the team took care of us ensuring our safety until we docked back at the wharf. All around this was a memorable experience and we recommend this team! read more

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We chose this whale watching tour because of the great reviews and they did not disappoint plus the whales were not shy. We saw orcas with their babies and many humpback whales slapping their fins and tails and also breaching out of the water. We also saw risso dolphins. It was a memory we will always remember. We took the 6 hour cruise because we know it takes awhile to get out in the ocean and time to come back to port so we wanted 3-4 hours minimum just watching the whales and a longer opportunity to see orcas. We are glad we did the 6 hour. April and May are peak orca months and we went on Friday 4/12/24 so we were lucky on our trip. We will definitely be back. Amanda, the photographer was good but not as friendly and helpful as captain Rod and Andrew. We are glad we chose your business for our experience. We will be back. read more

Amazing experience. Can't help the weather and Andrew and Capt Don made it awesome. We had 3 adult humpbacks putting on a show for more than 40 mins. Andrew took some great videos and shared while we were on board. Of course commentary was spot on. We saw seals, birds, Rizzo dolphins and otters in addition to the whales. Would do it again in a heart beat. I hear September is the best. Just a wow experience. read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Awesome tour! 2/3 of my crew was down from motion sickness and other passenger abc the guys working the tour were super helpful and understanding. I won't be whale watching again because of terrible motion sickness but wanted to take my son, happy and did and never again (haha). BUT for those looking to go, highly recommend this tour. The captain took us out to where there were a lot of wales and dolphins. Unfortunately I can't post the one video I was brave enough to standup a snap :). read more

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1000000% worth every penny! The crew was amazing and so knowledgeable about the area. Fantastic and interactive with all of the guests. We saw 30+ whales, thousands of sea lions, two different types of dolphins, porpoises, and even some rare puffins. It was magical. Even in the cold rain and overcast weather, I would absolutely recommend it. Dress in WARM and waterproof layers. Beer, wine and snacks are available for purchase which was a nice surprise too. read more

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Fun fun fun We saw orcas in the hunt for seals Thankfully no seals were caught but we had an amazing Captain and crew. The weather was perfect!!! read more

So much fun! So interesting! We saw two humpback whales, a pod of 30 Risso dolphins, sea lions and sea otters. It was well worth it. Dress warm! read more

Went on a whale watching 3 hour tour with Isaiah in May and it was an amazing trip! Guides are super knowledgeable. We got to follow a humpback whale and calf and saw astonishing scenes while they jumped out the water and dived below. We also followed a group of Risso's dolphins towards the end. Dress warm in layers. You can sit in the cabin but if you want to sit outside you will get wet! read more

My husband and I have gone whale watching 3 times with Discovery now and we had incredible experiences every time. The naturalists on board are incredibly knowledgeable and you can tell that all the staff are truly passionate about what they do every day. Highly recommend going in August as well - two of our trips were in August and we day at least 15 humpbacks each time. They were showing all sorts of fun behaviors - lunge feeding, tail slaps, approaching the boat. The boat itself is a good size. For those that get sea sick, I recommend doing a morning session when the waters are calmer. They sell motion sickness meds and ginger chews in their offices on shore and will try their best to help you feel better if you do feel sick on board. There are bathrooms on board, as well as free hot drinks, and cold drinks and snacks for a reasonable price. Overall, I highly recommend Discovery. There are many options for whale watching in Monterey, but I have no reason to look elsewhere when I have found such a gem! read more

Definitely recommend discovery whale watch. The crew there is amazing. Isaiah is super knowledgeable about marine life. Deck hand Harrison was also such a great help and capt. Danny was great getting us out there. Seen a few humpbacks feeding great experience ov read more

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This was my first whale watching trip and it could not have been better. We had a great crew. I'm giving a huge shout out to our guide, Amanda. She was knowledgeable and full of fun facts about the whales and all other marine species we encountered. You can tell she loves her job. We saw lots of humpback whales including "Larry" and a mother and her baby. It was a great experience with a great staff. Don't forget to tip! They work very hard to please the guests. They were happy to take pictures and were super courteous. It was a great experience. read more

Today 9/23/21 was awesome. We saw 6 humpback whales that got really close to the boat and even circle the boat multiple times. The staff on the boat was really informal about the whales we were seeing and had a positive attitude and made the experience fun. The only negative about today, is on the way out to the spot to see the whales you can get sea sick from the boat rocking. It does take approximately hour to get out there. I how ever was fine. I would highly recommend, we took the 1330. read more

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My partner and son enjoyed the tour. Their ratings were both 9/10. It would've been 10/10 if I didn't get motion sickness. I personally had a miserable time; unfortunately, I believe I threw up the Dramamine that was supposed to help. I remember seeing the whales, the crew was awesome, and my mind blocked everything else out. Tip: bring cash for tipping. The crew deserves it. read more

I only have good things to say about Discovery Whale watch! Our naturalist/Guides Sheila (I think that was her name, sorry if I'm incorrect) and Kayla were amazing. Sheila had so much knowledge about the whales and was so nice to everyone. She kept coming to the back of the boat to check on my boyfriend who unfortunately got seasick and even offered him some ginger candy. Kayla also kept coming by the check in on us which was so sweet. If you're visiting Monterey don't be afraid to ask the guides for local places to visit after the boat tour is done. We took my mom for her birthday and she already plans to go back next year for another whale watch trip, I think we will do the morning one which is longer next time. Also I just have to add that please take the nausea medicine when it says! One to two hours BEFORE you get on the boat. My mom and took two bonines an hour before and we felt fine the whole time! My boyfriend unfortunately was the one who opted out of the bonine and ended up throwing up into the ocean so please take it if you get seasick easily. It will be nobodies fault but your own if you don't take it and end up getting sick. read more

Awesome tour with a super knowledgeable crew!!! We got to see Humpback and Killer whales along with Dolphins all in one tour! The commentary was well timed and everyone was super friendly. Thanks Isaiah, Rod and Kayla. Side note: thanks for taking care of us Kayla! When the boat starts rocking, sometimes lunch comes a-knocking lol read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

We had an awesome experience on our tour! The staff was extremely knowledgeable and answered questions throughout the tour. The boat was very comfortable and equipped well for the journey. We saw whales, dolphins and seals on our tour. There are a lot of options in Monterey, but I highly recommend this company! read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Humpback whale sighting, one of many. - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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I had a perfectly wonderful trip, with special thanks to our capable and enthusiastic guides Isaiah and Matt. They were phenomenal: helpful, informative and engaging. They quickly pointed out dolphins, gray whales, albatross, sea otter and more, and were as delighted as we were when we sighted them. They knew so much about the sea life, you could tell it was their life's passion. Highly recommended. read more

Took this tour for a company event the captain, crew, and naturalist (Isaiah) were all incredible! Could not have asked for a more informative and beautiful trip. Huge thanks to the team at Discovery Whale Watch!! read more

We went out with them July 29, 2023. The crew (Jeremiah and Andrew were two of them. I don't recall the other two names) did an amazing job getting us to the right place to see hundreds of dolphins and multiple whale sitings. The weather was perfect!! I tend to get sea sick so I took a Dramamine the night before and one in the morning. I also brought ginger chews. I didn't get sick so that made the trip even better. I would highly recommend them for your excursions. read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Whale tail slapping - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Fun trip, saw Humpback, gray whales, 3 species of dolphins and plenty of other Marine Life. Tour Guide was a marine biologist with a lot of knowledge. Will definitely bring family along the next time. read more

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Stop looking. This place is perfect. From the check-in process on this was an amazing experience. We saw 3 different species of Dolphins and more humpback whales than we could count. All very active. The boat was small, but it's perfect. The guide is available for all questions and you don't feel over crowded. CPT Dave and Andrew our guide were both really nice and went above and beyond to make sure we had a good experience. Andrew in particular was super helpful and you could tell he was enjoying himself as much as we were. Give that man a raise. Stop looking. Book now. Thank me later. read more

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This was an absolutely fantastic trip. The people at Discovery are the friendliest, most accommodating and helpful group we could have asked for; from checkin to safety briefing to on the boat to off the boat. The boat, while not huge or fancy, was clean and offered plenty of seating space. The wind was low but the swell pretty big on the day we went and the boat handled it very nicely, thanks to the skill of the captain and his crew. It is a smaller boat, though, so if you're susceptible to motion sickness, remember your Dramamine. They boat provided coffee, hot tea and hot chocolate, complimentary, and it was very well received by the guests. I was initially worried that the smaller boat would be less awesome than the much larger boats at the pier but, after finding the whales, we could see the bigger boats had people lined up, shoulder-to-shoulder from stern to bow vying for a space to see the amazing creatures. All the while, we were standing comfortably, hot chocolate in hand, with plenty of room and some amazing views. One whale surfaced directly under the boat, not 5 feet from where we stood; close enough to literally smell it's whale breath. ICK, but awesome!! The 3-man crew on our boat was outstanding and very enthusiastic. You can really tell they enjoy their job and are passionate about the wildlife. No hesitation to ask how we were feeling or to answer any questions we had. When we had none, they added some great and colorful facts and commentary throughout the trip. The return trip was super relaxing with everyone reveling in the moment; chatting and smiling. All in all, we saw (from what the crew told us) a minimum of 10 individual humpback whales and hundreds of sea lions. The whales cruised the surface, dived with flukes in the air, lunged out of the water feeding and fully breached, launching out of the water several times off in the distance. I would 100% take this trip again. Don't forget to tip the crew for their outstanding service and passion. read more

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Such a fun experience! The captain and crew were also friendly, informative, funny and accommodating. We saw grey whales, dolphins swimming right next to the boat, and sea lions! Highly recommend this tour. read more

This was a terrific trip! It was just the right size to be able to ask questions of the Naturalist (Isaiah) or on the captain. We saw at least 20 dolphins and quite a few humpback whales. The naturalist pointed out details of other wild life, as well. There is also free tea, coffee & hot water on board, as well as a rest room. Highly recommend! read more

Highly recommend Discovery Whale Watching Tours! We had the best time and the crew! Captain Danny knew right where to take us to see so many whales and dolphins! Alfredo, our naturalist, kept us informed and was very knowledgeable. And having Amanda on board was an added treat! You will not be disappointed and I will be back, such an awesome experience! read more

Beautiful, sunny day on the water yesterday [4-6-23]. They searched for and found a pod of orcas and we had fun following them about the bay. Calm waters and sunny skies were a special treat after all the rain we've had. Wonderful guidance and instruction from the onboard Marine biologist. Can't wait to go this summer and see the humpbacks. Thanks to the captain and crew for all you do and making it an incredible adventure. read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Two of the five in the pod. - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

My kids and I went on this boat and the stars was friendly, courteous and we were able to see a sperm whale! The first the captain had ever seen. Such a rare occurrence. We enjoyed ourselves but it was COOOOOLLDDD for us. read more

Discovery Whale Watch - Tail of sperm whale - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California