Here's a fun and exciting review for your whale watching experience with Princess Monterey: --- **Princess Monterey: A Whale of a Time (with a Splash of Adventure!)** Well, folks, if you're looking for a whale watching trip that's equal parts exhilarating and stomach-churning, look no further than Princess Monterey! Our group of 40 brave souls set sail yesterday, and let me tell you, it was a wild ride! Picture this: the ocean was a bit like a roller coaster--waves crashing, boats rocking, and our group members discovering just how quickly they could become best friends with the sea. Quite a few of us found ourselves feeling a bit queasy, but hey, who knew that whale watching came with a side of "hold on to your lunch"? But here's the kicker: despite the rough waters, we saw more whales than I've ever seen on any whale watching excursion! It was like a scene out of a nature documentary--humpbacks breaching, flukes flipping, and us squealing with delight (and maybe a little nausea). Every wave brought a new adventure, and the sight of those magnificent creatures made it all worth it! The crew was absolutely fantastic! They were like walking encyclopedias of the ocean, ready to answer every question we threw at them, no matter how ridiculous. "Is that a whale or just a really enthusiastic dolphin?"--they handled it all with grace and humor. Their enthusiasm was contagious, making even the toughest waves feel like a minor inconvenience. So, if you're up for a thrilling adventure with the chance to see some magnificent whales (and maybe test your sea legs), Princess Monterey is your go-to! Just bring some ginger ale for the ride trust me on that one! read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Ocean waters - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Everything exceeded all expectations. Saw plenty of dolphins and whales, many very close to the boat. At $75 per person (times four) you wonder if it's going to be worth it. But when they deliver exactly what they promised, you walk away happy read more

If you get even the slightest bit motion sick, don't come on here. Obviously every ride is different, some aren't as rocky and others are more, but the boat we went on was so rocky it was insane. A handful of passengers were vomiting, while most of the others clearly didn't look too good. We thought the boat would maybe drive 30 minutes out of the harbor for the whales? No. It was an hour and 30 mins there and back for around 20 minutes of seeing the whales. Even with taking medicine, it wasn't an enjoyable experience at all and we were just wanted to go back already. The rest of our days plans were sadly canceled because some family members got sick and everyone was feeling nauseous even after we landed. I'm not talking about a few rocky waves, no, it was super intense waves that rocked the boat super hard. In conclusion, if you get seasick, don't come on this boat. It's not worth it at all. read more

I booked tickets for a whale watching online on Saturday for the next Sunday - it was convenient. On the day of the tour - I reached 30 mins in advance and I probably was a bit late. I got in time for the briefing - we were instructed to take our Dramamine then and a summary of the weather , trip etc. The trip and back was about 2.5 hours and we were able to see some orcas. Be sure to take your Dramamine 30-60 mins in advance and the trip will be good read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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We had a great morning out on the boat. Saw humpback whales, dolphins and sea lions. For the sea lions, we had never seen them float before on their back, taking a break in the middle of the ocean--that was neat! Humpbacks came up and dived a few times. No breaching or great activity but good the see. The dolphins were fun swimming and leaping and riding the wake of the boat--very playful. What could have been better was the naturalist who was describing the sea life. She seemed to have little knowledge of dolphins and seal--even though that is what we saw the most. And the few facts she had on the whales were repetitive. It would have been better if she had more fun facts to share. read more

This was a phenomenal experience. Went with a rather large group from work and the logistics were pretty smooth. The captain is very patient and alert to find dolphin and whale activity and the guide is very friendly and knowledgeable. You can tell she is passionate about sea life. Please note, if you even suspect that you could get sea sick, take a dramamine ahead of time. The top pf the ship rocks A LOT and can get to you quickly. I had to split from my group and watch from the lower deck instead. They do have some ginger candy to help with sea sickness if you need it. Other than that, when you catch some whales, it is an absolute experience. Totally worth it! read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Princess Monterey Whale Watching was a fantastic experience! I had wanted to go and happened to go to a restaurant nearby (Grotto Fish Market) that provided a $10/person discount so it all conveniently fell into place. I purchased the tickets at the counter the day before for the 9am boat - if you book in advance (at the counter or online), you will need to show up early on the day of, go to the counter and exchange for the actual ticket at least 30 minutes before departure. The base price was $75 per person, and an additional $20 got you vip access to the top deck. With the $10 discount, I paid $85 for top deck access. On 10/08, I showed up around 8:22 and there was already a sizable crowd waiting in line. The process was simple and they provided a quick safety speech before we boarded. The naturalist on board, Kristin, imparted a lot of knowledge and made sure to point out where she or the captain spotted wildlife. Initially, there were just some sea lions here and there, but the captain had charted a course towards Moss Landing and, as Kristin explained to us, this was also where the deep sea canyon started and there was a lot of activity there. After a good 40+ min of squinting at the sea, we arrived to our destination and didn't have to squint at all. We were incredibly lucky to see a mother & calf humpback whale pair first, then a sea lion raft (where SO MANY sea lions were diving and feeding off of schools of anchovies) paired with three humpback whales. Kristin did a great job of providing live commentary as we watched all the activity. We did eventually make our way back and Kristin walked around so you could ask her questions. I do get motion sick and I prepared by taking Dramamine beforehand, but I was still surprised by the rockiness. Make sure to be prepared if you get motion sickness too! It's absolutely worth it to go regardless, and they do have additional ginger items to help onboard for sale. I cannot recommend this whale watching experience enough. 100% worth every cent! read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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It's always hard to predict what you'll see when you go whale watching. Sometimes there's a lot of whale activity, while others times there's not. On this particular evening, we got lucky. Not only was the weather perfect for a day on the water, the whales were very active. In addition to the whale activity, our docent was incredibly knowledgeable, giving us so many interesting facts and trivia about the whales, dolphins, seals, and sea birds. If you've never been whale watching, I highly recommend checking out Princess Monterey Whale Watching tours for their knowledgeable staff, clean boat with ample seating indoors and out, and the concession stand that saved my queasy tummy. read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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I took the tour with a class group. I was worried no whales would show up. But to my amazement lots of whales did show up and it was an imcredible experience for us all. read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Outside - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

I have never been whale watching, and I was excited to go on this boat. We went on Saturday, May 24th at 9am and got the VIP seats up top. We were not disappointed. As soon as we took off, we saw a pod of dolphins! The boat slowed, and we had the opportunity to photgraph them. It almost looked like the dolphins wanted us to see them play, and they were next to us immediately. It was spectacular. Lori, our naturalist, was so informative when telling us about the wildlife we'd encounter -- from sea lions to birds to dolphins to whales. Once we were deeper out into the bay, we reached our first whale. Each time we saw a whale, it was amazing. One whale towards the end of the trip seemed to be doing tricks for us, flapping on its side over and over and over. I would totally do this trip again with the same company. It was educational, the boat was clean, and the naturalists were so helpful. Side note: Several people got seasick - I would definitely recommend taking Bonine or Dramamine and not eating beforehand. (I took 50mg of Bonine at 8:15am on an empty stomach, and I stood 80% of the time on the boat, and I was never nauseated.) read more

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If your sea sick it's not worth it. It's pretty good otherwise saw some whales and dolphins.

Excellent tour. Saw multiple humpback whales and even had a sea lion jump out beside the boat! Crew is knowledgeable and keeps the boat far enough away from the whales to not annoy them, but close enough to where you get to see tons of whale backs and tails. Was not disappointed. read more

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Staff and boat ride are great! However, the unpredictability of whale watching can mean no sightings. In the end, we finally saw some Orcas. Then, we headed back. I would probably do this again because the ocean is an amazing site! read more

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We chose this vendor because it advertised as having a larger boat - which for us meant that it would be less of a chance at getting seasick. It was kinda a bumpy ride getting out, we saw dolphins and humpback whales. It was a good experience personally! Though it seems like the ride out was still a bit rough for several passengers. A lot of people got seasick. read more

Awesome experience. Got to see a few hump back whales. The guide was very informative. Will definitely do it again.

Came here with an adventure group called Urban Diversion this past Saturday and really enjoyed my time and did in fact see quite a few whales. I was on the 12:30 departure. One person I was with said the last time he went whale watching, he only saw one tail and that was it, so I spent the whole way out esp-ing the whales. Who knows? It could've worked because the whales were active when we got out there and we were able to get close! Parking is easy since there is a lot and it's only $12 to park all day. The office staff as well as the boat staff were all very nice and answered all of our questions and had great organization. My group had the standard lower deck tickets, but if you can, I'd splurge for the upper deck. Lower deck does still have some good views of the whale tails, fins, and body but I think you'd get a better view of the whole body of the whales from the top deck. You are going to want to layer up and maybe even have another layer in a bag/backpack, because it sure does get chilly out there and the sun can disappear into the clouds quickly. The boat does sway more and more the farther into the ocean you get, so I'm glad I picked up some dramamine from the gas station and took those as I made the drive out to Monterey. Just take them even you think you'll be good. Trust me! Pictures are somewhat hard to snap because the whale sightings happen so quickly, but you can video and scroll through once you get home for the images of whale that you got, so just enjoy with experience with your actual eye balls. The folks with the good cameras will post their pics on the IG page or here anyway. read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

Whale watching with my 8 year old grandson who was SCARED to death upon getting on. He had an amazing time! What an experience and we loved it so much! The crew was friendly, boat LARGE, not packed, inside, outside and bathroom access. Snack bar with coffee, drinks and such. What a pleasant way to "breathe" in times like this Was much needed for grounding my soul. Thank you :) read more

My family and I had an fantastic time today! Very clean boat, snacks available, friendly/educated staff. Would absolutely go again.

I've been on this little cruise twice, and both times were amazing! The staff are so knowledgeable and friendly, and of course the star of the show never disappoints! I definitely recommend Princess Monterey!! read more

Great experience price is high but what we saw out there on our 3 hour trip was amazing we saw 7 whales

Had an awesome trip out on Saturday morning. Saw a bunch of humpback whales and the crew was very knowledgeable. read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Had a good time in early March. Saw a few grey whales. The guide was very informative. Staff was great and professional. Boat was clean and comfortable. It was just me and my wife. If we brought our kids my older two would've enjoyed it. Think my 6 yr old would have been bored. Some people seemed to have gotten sea sick. Be prepared for that. It was a calm sunny day at the wharf but was pretty chilly and windy outside of the bay, so we were glad we brought jackets and dressed in layers. After we saw whales and were headed back we went inside to eat our lunch we brought with us. It was a great afternoon and do plan on taking our kids eventually. Money worth spent. read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Grey whales - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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TLDR: Amazing experience, saw 30-40 whales up close! Highly recommend this company. I had such a positive experience with Princess Whale Watching! I had to buy my tickets on the phone because I purchased the tickets as part of an auction at a school event, and it was easy and the employee helping me was friendly and helpful. I went on 8/30/25 on the 9 am boat. I brought my two kids with me, and we paid extra for the upper deck "VIP" section. The check-in process was easy. This was my third time whale watching, but first time with this company. The first time I went, we saw one humpback who interacted with our boat for 30 minutes and one pod of orcas. The second time I went, we saw humpback whales in the distance. This time, we saw between 30-40 humpback whales within 5-20 feet of our boat!! We also saw dozens of sea otters. Once we got out on the open water, there were hardly any periods where we weren't seeing whales. The trip announcer did an amazing job pointing things out and sharing interesting facts with us. The crew was friendly and checked in with us regularly. There is an indoor heated cabin and they sell snacks and drinks. The kids loved getting hot cocoa. The bathrooms were also much nicer than the other boats I've been on. I'm prone to seasickness and the upper deck was not the spot for me. We only spent the first and last 20 minutes of the trip up there. It was also not possible to see off the front if you're on top, because that is where the crew stands. That part wasn't worth it for me. I love whale watching and plan to do another trip with Princess at a different time of year! read more

We met a woman in the office the day before our cruise. She was delightful! However, this afternoon when we arrived there was a, ' gentleman' I use the term loosely. My friend was tossing crackers to the birds. You would have thought she was shooting at them. This guy walked up to her and literally yelled at her like she was committing a felony. I approached him and told him he didn't need to scream at her. He lied and said he told her twice. That was a lie. Then he proceeds to tell me that I can't bring my little backpack onboard because it has wheels. I brought it inside the office and asked for a claim check. The woman inside told me he was wrong and I can bring in onboard. I returned to the line and he kept staring at us! He then said something to the captain who then turned and looked at us! Way to make us feel welcome. If I hadn't already paid I would have walked away. I wish I had gotten his name but I'm sure the crew know who I'm talking about. The cruise was wonderful but this interaction really put a damper on it read more

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Not worth the $$$. My husband and I visited Monterey for the first time and bought two tickets for the 5 pm whale-watching trip on 7/31, 2024 paying an extra $20 each for top deck access. The captain called to inform us that we were the only ones booked and they needed at least 15 paying passengers to cover the gas. We rescheduled for the 6:30 pm trip. I had reservations due to the massive fog and impending sundown, but we decided to stay optimistic and go. Despite being prepared for the cold, the top deck was freezing, and there were no heaters. After two hours of seeing nothing but a few random birds, we went down to the enclosed lower deck. For $190 for two people, this "excursion" was extremely overpriced. I wouldn't recommend this company at all. It felt irresponsible for them to go out in those conditions, likely knowing the chances of seeing whales were slim. So disappointing. read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

Absolutely fantastic experience whale watching this morning with you all. The crew was quick to spot whales and though we tried to keep count, lost track somewhere after 10. As great as the trip was in regard to the whale watching itself, I want to highlight their customer service and name drop some of the individuals who truly saved the day today. The customer service provided for my partner who has mobility issues was just phenomenal. Our day started off rocky as I've never been more disappointed as a potential client as I was today by Monterey Bay Whale Watch. My partner and I had been following their instagram page for a while now and have been looking forward to whale watching with that company. We booked a reservation online and drove two and a half hours to go whale watching with this company specifically! Thankfully we arrived at their place ahead of scheduled departure because after arriving they turned away our service and we were able to last minute find your company. As soon as we arrived at Monterey Bay Whale Watch we let the woman at the desk know we were there to check in, and she was immediately dismissive telling us they wouldn't be taking us out on the boat because my partner utilizes a wheelchair and had a neck brace on. She was incredibly rude to both of us, never asked if my partner had any mobility capability or what the neck stabilizer was for. She began issuing a refund and said they were at capacity, that there was no way they could fit a wheelchair on the boat, and that if we wanted we could try another company but verbatim told us no one would take us. We were discouraged and just going to go to the aquarium to not waste the drive down when we passed Princess Monterey and I decided to take a chance and ask if they would take us. We met Katie and she was incredibly kind. She said that they had space but warned us that there were quite a few stairs we'd need to go down to board the boat. Not only did she inquire about my partner's mobility capability, she proceeded to reach out to another crew member, Toby, to assist in stabilization as my partner went down the stairs to board the boat and he even helped her walk up to the upper deck! Throughout the trip both Toby and Katie came by to ensure that my partner was comfortable and if she needed help navigating the boat during the choppy waters. No one, let alone someone with a disability, deserves to be discriminated, disregarded, and treated the way my partner was this morning. However, I truly cannot thank the crew at Princess Monterey enough for the experience we were provided with. We look forward to coming back for another trip with you all soon! read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Monterey Bay - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

We had such a great experience. Got to see about 15 humpback whales, some really up close! My 6 year old loved it. What really inspired me to leave this review was the kindest lady that works at the stand named Jam. She treated us like family and meeting her was just as memorable as whale watching. Jam is a truly a gem! Today was a day we won't ever forget. Thank you! read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Need time to exhale just breathe in the wonders of the sea bring the family maybe lemon drops humpbacks breeching dolphins cruising seals playful teams the sea of wonder at Monterey Sanctuary check times and seasonal appearances no acting required nature just is . No drilling needed sonars on boats a helpful tip save the sea for the future to be honor our Wildlife. read more

We saw lots of whales, they gave us plenty of time to enjoy them. The naturist was very knowledgeable with a very pleasant voice, we enjoyed it very much. Bathrooms available onboard, as well as snacks and drinks for purchase. You can be inside or outside and walk around all you want. Wonderful experience. read more

boat was supper clean the seating was cozy the staff very friendly it was such an amazing experience read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

Diane and I had a great time on our recent Monterey road trip watching whales appear five times in three hours during our whale watching cruise on the boat Atlantis Monterey, We purchased VIP Upper Deck Seating tickets, and shared this level with only four other people. The sea was calm the entire time, the sky was sunny, and temperature conditions were cool but very tolerable. Seasickness did not even enter my mind. Instead, we were both intent on capturing the images of sighted humpback whales on our long-lens cameras, and had some success in this endeavor. But the whales we saw never fully revealed themselves or emerged from watery depths to willingly pose for photos. Instead, after surfacing briefly, each of them beat a hasty retreat back into the sea following only a partial appearance. So I was happy to just see the whales in their natural environment, and photographically record whatever I could. A marine biologist was aboard to alert passengers where to look upon sightings of marine mammals, and to offer interesting commentary on the habits and features of denizens of the deep and other creatures of the sea. The price paid for this excursion was definitely money well spent. read more

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Nice experience. The boat is large, easy check in. Crew was nice and narration was informative. We did VIP which gives you access to the top deck. Would recommend. 110 each total, but discounts are probably available. Saw some grey whales - We would do it again. read more

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Great day trip. Awesome staff Really fun to take family or friends out on the water and being on a bigger sized boat you don't get sick of being in one spot on the boat. Everyone has a good time read more

Loved the tour! We spotted two gray whales and the tail of a humpback. The bot is midsized with two decks. The top deck is vip. The views are gorgeous on each deck so you won't miss much. The bot has covered area to hang if the sea is rough/ it's raining. The windows are big enough to see outside. Having a binocular would help when the sea is calm. They guide the tour well and follow safety guidelines throughout the sail. Best place to park is the heritage parking deck near by. Don't forget to tip and grab your coupons that Princess Monterey provided to explore food/souvenirs around old fisherman's wharf. Highly recommend it! read more

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The absolute best whale watch experience. Big steady boat, great crew, easy checkin, reasonably priced...and they find the whales/dolphin/seals and other creatures out there. I particularly like the sunset cruise. Highly recommended. Don Hurzeler, professional photographer read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California

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Been a local for a majority of my life and have never went whale watching. Finally took the time to go and it was a pretty chill experience. The staff was informative and we got to see a decent amount of whales read more

An absolutely breathtaking experience! We will be back, for sure. Capt Bill and his crew were phenomenal. We had two, 40-fopt humpbacks "play" by boat for almost an hour. What a surreal and beautiful experience. Book your tour n-o-w. Say hello to Jam for me :) read more

One of our best experiences on a boat out in the ocean ( though I ended it with throwing up a bunch due to a bout of sea sickness ) watching whales and sea lions having their gala dinner. We started at around 2pm from the wharf/marina and within 30-45 minutes of boat ride were able to trace rafts of sea lions chasing a school of fish and were almost sure of a whale sighting, soon to find out an be around a humpback whale for a good hour or so. We saw a few different ways the whale would hunt and grab its meal and kept circling around the sea lions and the whale. Being in the upper deck ( quite some seasickness is the only shortcoming in the covers section on the upper deck) we had a very good view of what was going around and at a moment's notice could move to either side of the boat and notice the amazing wildlife. Very knowledgeable crew definitely helped and helped a of the crew members kept talking to the audience around everything whales and wildlife in the ocean making it a wonderful experience overall. On our way back I did end up throwing quite a lot ( mistake was I had a cup of coffee right before the boat ride and such drinks should be avoided and is as well called out on their website) though it didn't at all affect my experience in a negative way. Would definitely recommend this!!! read more

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My husband chose the tour company for a whale watching expedition. He bought tickets online and the check-in process once we got to the pier was very easy. There are bathrooms on the pier, as well as on the boat. The staff is very friendly and explains the do's and don't on the boat. Once on the boat, you can choose to sit inside by the bar or on the outside around the rim of the boat. Yes, you can get refreshments on board, snacks and drinks. We chose to sit in the front of the boat outside. The trip itself is about three hours long. We did see whales, which was exciting, as well as sea otters and sea lions. No dolphins, though. The staff tried their best to get us in position for the whales. There was some information being told to us through the PA system, but unfortunately it wasn't working like it did at the beginning of the tour, and those of us out front couldn't hear what the man was saying, even though we could see him on the top of the boat. I didn't have a clue what was said, but I didn't care because there were whales! The ocean was pretty rough and we were told to have 2 feet on the ground and one hand on the railing at all times. I could see why. I was tossed around quite a bit even with three points of contact. People were getting sick off the side of the boat. I would advise you to wear acupuncture wristbands or take a seasickness pill, even if you never get sick. I never get seasick and the rough waves were even affecting me, but I thankfully was keeping it together. You aren't guaranteed 100% that there will be whales, but they tried their hardest and were successful on our boat ride. I so appreciate their effort. I would definitely do this again! read more

Outstanding experience, worth every penny! The boat was safe, large and stable, very comfortable and spacious, clean bathrooms. The crew was very friendly, professional and knowledgeable, the tour narrator knew her stuff and kept the tour interesting and informative. I learned so much and of course, we saw many whales close by, the Princess crews really know what they are doing. -Airline pilot read more

Princess Monterey Whale Watching - Whale Watching Tours Near Me - Monterey, California