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    First Chance Whale Watch

    4.1 (112 reviews)

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    Unfortunately not a whale day... beautiful/clean boat , saw pods of dolphins/ porpoises, a sea sunfish Called Moa ? , gorgeous weather, Knowledgeable friendly & crew, voucher to come for another cruise bonus!!!

    Lobster

    David and Liam were amazing! Very funny and knowledgeable about the area and lobster fishing. We even were able to see some seals swimming around. It was a cool experience, and I never thought I'd hold a lobster!

    WHALES!
    Brian L.

    Of course, no whales are *promised* on this cruise, but we did happen to see a few mini-breaches when we were the farthest out we could really go. The drawbacks are that it's a hike to get to Kennebunkport. Its a tourist town and crowded AF in the summer... all the things I don't like. That comes with the territory. The vessel, while not overly crowded, does not have the best seating in the world. If you have a bad back, as I do, there is limited seating that has adequate back support. All the demanding hags will claim as many of the seats as they can for non-present family members. Advise you to get there as early as you can, get in the queue, and push all the Karens out of the way so you can get your claim to the best possible seat. Lots of little scamps running around (in the summer) too. That being said, the whales do not have scheduled showing on certain sides of the boat. We were lucky to see the first breach on our side... but in total the number and scale of the breaches was a little underwhelming. The commute for the vessel in/out of the harbour and to/from the farthest point was major sleepy time. I would not do it again. They do offer vouchers that are (supposedly) infinitely good to come back if there were no whale sightings. The price is not so bad though. If you want to experience a lengthy boat ride, then this is for you.

    Female lobster with eggs.

    We took a lobster boat tour. Our guide was knowledgeable and made the tour fun and informative! We enjoyed seeing the lobster catching process and even holding a lobster!

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    3 months ago

    The family and I went went on Nick's Chance and it did not disappoint! Friendly staff, good food, clean boat, highly recommended.

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    All went well! Fun trip, fun captain and first mate! Only 1.5 hours but the local tour and lobster handling was a blast!

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    Dave and David were so fun and accommodating! Kylie's Chance is a great boat, and we had a wonderful trip.

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    2 years ago

    My friends and I went during a road trip. Very good time! We saw a lot of whale. I have lots of videos.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - First Chance Whale Watch

    Review Highlights - First Chance Whale Watch

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    Cape Ann Whale Watch

    Cape Ann Whale Watch

    4.6(437 reviews)
    52.1 mi

    My Grammy and I's favorite annual activity is going on a Cape Ann Whale Watch once a summer. We've…read moregone on one almost every summer since I graduated high school eight years ago. The marine biologist on board is knowledgeable and clearly loves her job! It's awesome that the captain is part of the team searching for the whales and is more than willing to change course if we find out there are whales in a different area than planned. Also, the parking lot staff is surprisingly efficient given how many people are coming in and out with such limited space. We have seen multiple whales every trip, and sometimes other sea animals too! My grandmother is 92 (she acts more like she's 75 to be honest) and whenever we go, the staff and other patrons have always been courteous and kind to her without being infantilizing. I am so grateful to Cape Ann Whale Watch for being a part of this special tradition with my Grammy. Fingers crossed that next year we win the raffle for the free tickets! It hasn't happened yet lol.

    Outstanding whale watch!…read more We saw numerous whales with several quite close to the boat, so close you could hear and feel the blowing. We also witnessed numerous tail breaches and fin slapping behaviors. I have been on numerous whale watches before, but never like this one!!! The ride out to the feeding areas was about 15 miles, relatively a short distance. The boat was clean and organized. The narrator was knowledgeable and quite informative. You could tell how focused she was on the subject of whales through her excitement. It was so special!

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    Cape Ann Whale Watch
    Cape Ann Whale Watch - Cape Ann Whale Watch

    Cape Ann Whale Watch

    Cape Ann Whale Watch

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    Northern Tide Yacht Charters

    Northern Tide Yacht Charters

    5.0(2 reviews)
    23.9 mi

    If you're even thinking about booking a private yacht charter out of Portsmouth, stop scrolling and…read morebook Northern Tide Yacht Charter--now. Seriously. From the moment we stepped aboard, it felt like we were stepping into a New England summer dream. Captain Erich is the kind of guy you want at the helm--not just because he knows these waters like the back of his hand (he does), but because he's one of the most genuine, chill, and welcoming people you'll ever meet. He made everyone from our sea-loving aunt to our boat-shy nephew feel completely at ease. The boat? Absolutely pristine. Comfortable, classy, and outfitted with everything you need for the perfect day on the water. We cruised past lighthouses, hidden coves, and picture-perfect coastline while sipping drinks and soaking up the sun--and Erich filled us in on all the coolest local history and nautical facts without ever sounding like a tour guide. It felt like we were hanging out with a friend who just happens to be a top-tier captain. Whether you're looking for a relaxing sunset sail, a family day on the water, or a romantic cruise, this is the experience you want. Portsmouth is beautiful from the shore--but it's stunning from the deck of this boat. 10/10 recommend. 100%. Don't even hesitate.

    Beautiful day trip and friendly crew, happy to accommodate our questions and explore our interests…read more Recommended for family and friends.

    Photos
    Northern Tide Yacht Charters
    Northern Tide Yacht Charters - Sunset Charter

    Sunset Charter

    Northern Tide Yacht Charters

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    7 Seas Whale Watch

    7 Seas Whale Watch

    4.6(170 reviews)
    52.6 mi

    Wonderful experience! We saw lots of whales. It was a little chilly in early September, so dress…read moreaccordingly. We were at sea for less than three hours. The tour left at 8:30 a.m. and returned at 11:10 a.m. I personally wish it could have been a little longer. There are bathrooms onboard. One thing to keep in mind is that there are not enough seats for everyone, so you may have to stand. If having a seat is important to you, make sure to arrive early. Also, check for any available deals before booking. We paid full price and later found out there were Groupon offers available for almost half the price. It may be worth checking whether any discounts are available for your travel dates. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and seeing so many whales upclose made the trip worthwhile.

    Had an amazing experience on this 3-4 hour long boat ride (we left around 1:30 pm and returned…read morearound 5pm) seeing 1 finback whale, three humpback whales, and a huge pod of Atlantic white sided dolphins! Info for potential whale watchers: there is free parking in Gloucester on Sundays, and we had pretty good experience with bringing our own snacks, but you can buy snacks and beers on the boat as well. The boat itself as two bathrooms and a lower and upper deck. They usually go out to Stellwagen bank / Jeffrey's ledge depending on where they believe the whales may be (10 to 30 miles out). The cape Ann whale watch and Boston harbor also goes to the same locations and I believe they communicate. We were pretty close to cape Ann whale watch and they seemed to be a lot more crowded than our boat. For practically the entire trip, the marine biologist was telling us facts and guiding us in how to look at the wildlife. He even came out at the end to chat with us one on one. He was quite knowledgeable and even knew the whales by name! Apparently, it's common to see dolphins, finback, minke, and humpback whales during this season (June to October). Humpbacks deliver the exciting plunge into the water with the lifted tail. We were even able to see a cool feeding lunge from a whale named patches. We saw a lot of birds as well! We luckily were able to go to Jeffries ledge this time which is only about 10 miles out. On other trips this summer they have been going to Stellwagen bank which is 30 miles out. I highly recommend 7 seas if you want to have an enjoyable trip onto the ocean and relaxing encounter with amazing marine mammals!! I believe they will refund you if you don't see any whales, but it's quite likely to see whales as they are extremely knowledgeable on finding the whales.

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    7 Seas Whale Watch
    7 Seas Whale Watch
    7 Seas Whale Watch

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    Newburyport Whale Watch - Photo by Georgia Fanthorpe

    Newburyport Whale Watch

    4.1(44 reviews)
    42.7 mi

    We recently spent an afternoon with the folks at Newburyport Whale Watch for a trip in the gulf of…read moreMaine searching for and watching some of the most amazing creatures in the ocean. The reservation process on line was straight forward and easy to use. The tickers were added to my iPhone wallet which would have been easy enough to board, but the staff had names available to check off which was even easier than fumbling with your phone or the internet access. For those who showed up on site to purchase tickets, those were available on site. Staff was young and friendly from greeting to service in the bar section with light food, snacks and beverages. The staff providing updates on the actual whales we did see was fascinating to hear. They were able to identify the two whales we did watch and made the experience all the better and personable. PSA - the staff works on tips similar to your waitstaff at a restaurant, so please be prepared to show your appreciation for their service, as warranted. While spotting whales is not guaranteed, we did see a couple of them, but not without a lot of travel. We were out almost a couple of hours to find them which also meant that after watching for about an hour, it was an equal trip back to the harbor. Keep that in mind. I am sure we all wish the trip was more like a 3 hour tour (with a happier ending than those on Gilligan's Island) but be prepared for spending 6 hours on the boat, especially if you are bringing young children who can become bored very easily especially in tight quarters. As a result, we returned to the dock at 6PM, 30 mins after the planned 5:30PM arrival while boarding the boat at 12:45PM for a scheduled 1:30PM departure. It should be noted that we did leave almost 20 mins late despite the booking warning that they will not wait for any passengers (but we did for 4 people...but I won't tell if you don't tell). The boat itself was clean and had plenty of seating inside and outside depending on your preference on the first two decks. They also have 2 bathrooms on the boat. I do not know why the top deck was not open as that would provide the best view of whales IMHO. Unfortunately, parking is a hassle in the area as most lots nearby only allow a 3 hour reservation via app or kiosk while you may be on the boat 6 hours. So, you run the risk of paying for 3 hours and then getting a ticket from the police which are located next door and cruise the lots steadily. Be warned.

    We've had two great trips with Newburyport Whale Watch. Booking is straightforward, as are the…read moreinstructions on how to get there, though definitely leave ample time to park as the car park can be a little competitive! The boat isn't overcrowded and the staff are great, they are very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and kind, and it's obvious they love what they do - we enjoyed chatting to the on-board naturalist. The boat has two outdoor viewing decks and an enclosed sitting area by the snack bar. We preferred being outside but even in mid-June we had to wear coats and several layers because it gets chilly out at sea. We saw an acrobatic male humpback who breached multiple times - it was an experience of a lifetime!

    Photos
    Newburyport Whale Watch - Photo by Georgia Fanthorpe

    Photo by Georgia Fanthorpe

    Newburyport Whale Watch - Showing that he has spaces but if you purchase Groupon, the owner won't accept them.

    Showing that he has spaces but if you purchase Groupon, the owner won't accept them.

    Newburyport Whale Watch - Nos of breaching Minke whale

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    Nos of breaching Minke whale

    First Chance Whale Watch - whalewatchingtours - Updated September 2026

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