A Traveler’s Guide to Santa Cruz Whale Watching

Santa Cruz lies south of San Francisco and our surf scene, awesome oceanfront amusement park, and pier attract visitors from far and wide. There’s so much to do here — the beach is amazing and the shops are fun and unique, but just offshore, there’s even more to discover.

A trip to Santa Cruz isn’t complete until you take a guided whale-watching trip in Monterey Bay. The number and size of whales here can’t be found anywhere else in the world. It’s really a one-of-a-kind experience! 

Whales migrate along the coast and it’s possible to see gray whales, humpback whales, and blue whales as they move along California’s Pacific coast at different times during the year. 

Incredible opportunities to see several species of sea life await! 

Here’s what you need to know to go whale watching in Santa Cruz.

What is the Best Time of Year to See Whales?

Photo Credit Via Instagram @santacruzwhalewatching

Whales migrate through the Santa Cruz area yearly and provide a fantastic show. If you’re planning to see these magnificent creatures, you’ll need to time it right. 

Let’s see if you best time to visit Santa Cruz aligns with the best times to see various species of whales:

Humpback Whales

Between May and October

Seeing giant humpback whales breaching the surface 100 yards from the boat is an incredible experience.

The local group of humpback whales consists of several hundred that migrate south to Mexico for the winter months and spend the summer (April through November) feeding offshore along the central California coast. 

Gray Whales

Mid-January, but gray whales can be spotted from December to April

Gray whales are the most abundant in the area and they come through twice a year. Approximately 20,000 swim through the waters just off the Santa Cruz coastline. December through February sees them heading south to Baja, with the return trip running from mid-February through April. Mid-March is the peak for northbound whales.

Blue Whales

During the summer months

The biggest animal on Earth swims into the bay area to feed on krill in the summertime. Blue whales are massive and can be seen from several miles away as they swim through the bay.

These enormous animals are around throughout the summer, though numbers vary from year to year. The global number of blue whales is estimated at around 10,000. There are fewer opportunities to see them in their natural habitat than in the past, so it’s worth the extra effort.

Killer Whales

Between March and June

Orcas come down the coastline to follow the migrating gray whales as they return to the Bering Sea to raise their calves. Killer whales can be spotted from March through June, though peak time is around April. 

If you’re squeamish about natural predation, check with the cruise or charter before you leave to see if killer whales are around. It can be intense to see a pod of Killer Whales chasing down a gray whale calf.

What are the Best Ways to Whale Watch?

Photo Credit Via Instagram @santacruzwhalewatching

There are several ways to see the incredible marine life around Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offers incredible chances for whales, sea birds, dolphins, and sea otter sightings.

Shore Viewing Opportunities

The Monterey coastline offers good spots to view whales, from Santa Cruz in the north circling to Moss Landing, then finally the town of Monterey.

Each area is great, though for the best opportunities, look further south at Point Lobos State Reserve and between Nepenthe Restaurant and Big Sur. The cliffs along the highway make a fantastic viewpoint. Check out the Overlook Trail in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, too. The end of the trail offers a chance for excellent views.

Sea Tours & Whale Watching Excursions

Whale-watching cruises, charter boats, sailing excursions, and even guided kayak tours are available. Determine what experience you’d like, then key in on the whale-watching tours for you.

Several charters and cruises offer experienced guided whale-watching trips. Santa Cruz, Moss Landing, and Monterey have professional tours available.

Santa Cruz Tours

Start your trip at the Santa Cruz Harbor, where several private charter companies provide whale-watching Santa Cruz cruises. The most common sightings are gray whales and humpback whales. A wide variety of different species of marine mammals will entertain and delight.

Cruises are available year-round, depending on the whale species. Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters is considered the best whale-watching tour.

Moss Landing Tours

Moss Landing offers several tour options. One that stands out year after year is Sanctuary Cruises. Their fleet has sea-level viewing decks to get you as close as possible to marine life. Large tours and private charters are available.

The naturalists aboard are marine biologists, so they are prepared to answer any questions that you might have. 

Monterey Tours

Monterey Whale Watching gives you the opportunity for extended 5.5 and 6-hour trips to view killer whales. These cruises dedicate more time searching the Monterey Bay to focus primarily on killer whales.

Bird watchers will love this cruise because of the number of pelagic birds you’ll experience. Standard whale-watching tours are readily available as well. 

What Other Sea Creatures Can You See in Santa Cruz?

Photo Credit Via Instagram @santacruzwhalewatching

Monterey Bay holds a vast array of marine life. We highly recommend taking a boat tour to see the different species of marine mammals and sea life swimming through the waters off Santa Cruz.

Want to see dolphins and porpoises frolicking in the surf? They stay close year-round and can be seen swimming in the same waters where you’ll see seals and sea lions bobbing and playing. Sea otters are also around for all to take in their cuteness.

Monterey Bay is also known to be home to juvenile great white sharks. Local tour operators offer half-day trips around the sandy shores where you can catch a glimpse of these incredible creatures.

A Whale-Watching Adventure Awaits

Photo Credit Via Instagram @santacruzwhalewatching

It’s time to head to the Santa Cruz coast and spend time on the water with these magnificent creatures. You’ll remember your Monterey Bay whale-watching experience for years to come while helping preserve this incredible habitat.

Why not increase your chances of seeing these gentle giants by spending a few days in Santa Cruz? Our modern vacation rentals make the perfect base for a whale-watching adventure and we even have pet-friendly properties so the whole family can join in on the fun!