Blue Ocean Whale Watch
Blue Ocean Whale Watch
5
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Full view
About
Blue Ocean Whale Watch is owner-operated and has the most unique boat on the bay. Our boat, High Spirits, is a 60ft yacht with plenty of space inside and out. An observation deck up top provides a 360 degree view of the bay and a perfect vantage point for spotting wildlife and taking photos. Our tours depart from the heart of the Monterey Bay: Moss Landing Harbor. Moss Landing is the closest port to the start of the Monterey Submarine Canyon; a nutrient-rich area that attracts a variety of wildlife. Blue Ocean Whale Watch is owned and operated by Captain Jim Davis and Captain/Naturalist Kate Cummings. Jim, Kate and the rest of the crew love their jobs which makes a big difference in the experience of our customers. Whales are spotted year-round in the Monterey Bay as well as a wide variety of fascinating wildlife! We look forward to welcoming you on board!
Moss Landing, United States
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travellers' Choice
2023
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Blue Ocean Whale Watch
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(158 reviews)
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
1Â 606 reviews
Excellent
1Â 517
Very good
70
Average
10
Poor
4
Terrible
5
markhudak1
San Mateo, CA4 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Captain Kate is the best! Lots of whales, that’s a given in Monterey Bay. But she had heard about a sighting of a pod of killer whales early Saturday morning and searched for them. When she found them, she lined us up running parallel and we had great views of these elusive creatures for about 10 minutes. A highlight of the weekend! Second time out with Kate - she is highly knowledgeable and dedicated to her passengers’s experience. Highly recommend.
Written 13 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marji P
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Solo
Always great to go with blue ocean whale watch and captain Kate. Boat is extremely comfortable. Take less people than capacity so plenty of room. Kate is an amazing g spotter of all things whales. She is really caring and does an amazing job of finding the best whales, dolphins always a great trip with Kate at the wheel. Brian the naturalist is also wonderful. Has lots to share but stops when we are encountering whales and dolphin so we can enjoy the moment. Today we were heading back to Moss Landing and Kate spotted. 5 orca which is really rare at this time of the season. We followed them for about 15 minutes. I have been on 100’s of whale watches here in Monterrey and Moss Landing and this is only the second time I was able to see Orca. I dont go in April and May when there are more signtings as the killer whales are here to eat baby grey whales and I don’t want to watch the horror. Highly recommend going with Captain Kate who also owns the boat and her company. She is a real find!
Written 11 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
allie
St. Augustine, FL14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I had such a great time on my recent trips with Blue Ocean! Captain Kate and her naturalists/crew are incredibly likable, knowledgeable, and helpful! They patiently answered questions, offered assistance, and made sure each passenger had a great time. The vessel is so comfortable and offers a great variety of seating and viewing options - even the bathroom has a killer view! BOWW is based out of Moss Landing which affords an impeccable start to the trips- you’ll quickly spot sea lions and otters in the marina, and within minutes we were cruising with dolphins and humpbacks! Kate, Eric, and Brian worked hard to make sure each trip was remarkable - and it was! Orcas, humpbacks, and dolphins galore! I can’t recommend Blue Ocean highly enough!!
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
robdon1
MA, USA53 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
Excellent morning whale watch. We saw hundreds of common dolphins, whales, sea lions and sea birds all feeding en masse and lunge whale feed and 3 breaches! It was a magnificent tour, with knowledgeable captian and Bryan, a biologist pointing out sights and afacts about mother and baby whale duo, and markings.
Location is great as it is near the trench with abundant feeding grounds
Location is great as it is near the trench with abundant feeding grounds
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ZoeOK916
2 contributions
Sept 2023
Blue Ocean is, by far, the best whale watching adventure in Monterey Bay. Capt. Kate and her well-educated naturalists always provide an excellent trip. The boat is the perfect size and never crowded. I've been going out with Kate and her crew for years. Blue Ocean is the best choice.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karencyd53
Portland, OR10 contributions
Sept 2023
Captain Kate will pull out all the stops to get you close to humpback whales and all the other dolphins and sea creatures in the bay
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fonysan
Winchester, UK21 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
My kids (19 & 23) and I went out with Blue Ocean from Moss Landing and, after a short safety briefing, had a an amazing time.
The boat seemed safe and well maintained and the crew were friendly and knowledgeable.
We saw two sea otters before we even left the harbour, over 30 whales and many hundreds of dolphins before we returned to Moss.
The skipper did an excellent job of taking us to where the action was and her crewmate told us all about the whales and dolphins we were looking at.
I would definitely recommend Blue Ocean to anyone interested in this kind of activity in mid California.
The boat seemed safe and well maintained and the crew were friendly and knowledgeable.
We saw two sea otters before we even left the harbour, over 30 whales and many hundreds of dolphins before we returned to Moss.
The skipper did an excellent job of taking us to where the action was and her crewmate told us all about the whales and dolphins we were looking at.
I would definitely recommend Blue Ocean to anyone interested in this kind of activity in mid California.
Written 6 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriella C
5 contributions
Sept 2023
This is by far the absolute BEST boat to be on. Not only is the captain a woman, she has so much knowledge and the best feel and instinct to find all the wildlife possible to find on any trip!!!!
I will go again and again ….thank you !
I will go again and again ….thank you !
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MacDui2020
Edinburgh, UK30 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
Capt Kate, Jen and Brian offer an exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable tour. They all clearly love marine life and their enthusiasm is infectious. We had a great few hours and we were lucky to see 3 hump backs as well as a blue shark, sea otters, sea llions and lots more. Wrap up warm and don’t let the fog put you off - it’s an excellent excursion.
Written 2 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carlakemper831
Fort Smith, AR1 contribution
Jun 2023
Excellent crew very informative and respectful of our event. Would definitely recommend for future events, beautiful area.
Written 14 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elly z
Olympia, WA
Availability on 9/28 or 9/29/2021 and price for adults, 12 year old and seniors? I have a family of 11 plus 2 children? Also how far a walk from parking to boat? What are parking arrangements? Times available for either of those days? Looking forward to your answers. Ellly
lisap21115
Los Angeles, California21 contributions
You should book a charter with that many people
Hi! Please let me know if there are any tours in the afternoon? A
Kate C
Monterey, CA
Hi Amanda! Right now afternoon trips are limited, but some are offered on the weekends. During busier times like the summer, we offer afternoon trips daily. You can view our schedule by clicking "book now" on our website. Thank you and hopefully see you on a trip soon!
What month is the best for whale watching
Beth B
3 contributions
It depends upon what type of whales you're interested in seeing, I go year around and I've been on several trips over the years and each one is different. The humpback whales are my favorite since they like to breach...they really put on a nice show. They post pictures of their trips every day, so I usually plan my trip based on those pictures. Humpbacks are in the bay Summer, Spring and Fall and the best time to see Blue whales have been in August and September. I've been lucky to see Orcas every now and then. I've been told they follow the Grey Whale migration. I hope this helps!
Which tour hour has possibility for fog and rough seas? We are coming from far out of town and would hate our one experience to be ruined by no visibility due to fog or getting terribly sick. Thank you.
tamarat545
10 contributions
Take the earliest boat out. If you're coming after August, the likelihood of fog is less, seas are soft. Stand near the front of the boat; do NOT go down below. They have all sorts of remedies for people who get sea sick; haven't seen a person get sick for several years. GREAT tour -- amazing sights, sounds and just shows how amazing marine mammals are. You will love it. They do a wonderful trip out into the Monterey Bay Canyon!
Saint-le-1
Mandeville, LA35 contributions
How rough were the seas? My wife gets seasick on smaller boats, do you think she may have any issue?
Gayle D
California, United States5 contributions
No one felt ill on our trip. This boat is quite stable & very clean, but I guess there is always a possibility, even on a big cruise ship.
homezoomom13
Turlock, CA40 contributions
What time do the tours start on Saturday?
Jim D
Moss Landing, California19 contributions
If you please specify which Saturday specifically you'd like to join our tour we can let you know for sure but in general if we have only 1 tour then our departure time is 10:00 am.
We ask our guests to be at the Moss Landing harbor by 9:30 am since our check in process begins at 9:45am.
Hope to see you on board!
gabypo
Rome, Italy30 contributions
Hi, we will be travelling in the Moss landing area with our kids aged 12 and 15 between August 13 and August 16: I wonder whether this is an appropriate time from a whether conditions perspective to go for a whale watching cruise.. Which boat/cruise organization could you kindly suggest to avoid overcrowded boats? Thanks much
Jim D
Moss Landing, California19 contributions
Yes it will be a great time of the year to observe the whales. Please go to our website and reserve your tickets.
Blue Ocean Whale Watch
Moss Landing
Is it suitable for elderly? My mom's 88, in relatively good health, and loves to see whales up close!
Gayle D
California, United States5 contributions
She'll have a wonderful time. You don't stop playing because you're old, you're old because you stop playing!
Marcus H
Herten, Germany17 contributions
Hi :)
Lohnt es sich denn auch, eine solche Tour im September zu machen? Viele sagen da wäre keine Saison mehr und die Gefahr groß, dass man gar keine Tiere sieht.
Jacqueline T
Los Gatos, CA25 contributions
Do you have a cut off age for children? A friend would like to bring a 3 year old. I'm concerned that may be a little young. I've done the trip many times and loved it.
Kate C
Monterey, CA
Hi Jacquelin,
For safety purposes we don't allow children 3 years or younger on the whale watching trips. Hope to see you on a trip soon!
Kate