Hop aboard a 65-foot (20-meter) whale-watching boat for a fantastic adventure off the Orange County coast! During your whale-watching cruise, learn fascinating details about California sea life from the crew, and enjoy the Pacific Coast scenery. Year-round whale-watching cruises like this one are rare, so don’t miss this chance to see giant blue, finback, grey, minke and humpback whales, along with other marine life like dolphins, on this 2.5-hour tour from Newport Beach.
Round up your family and friends and set off on this 2.5-hour whale-watching cruise from Newport Beach. On a 65-foot (20-meter) boat, you’ll cruise down the Orange County coastline, watching for several varieties of whales, dolphins and other marine life.The coastal waters provide the calm conditions that attract these impressive mammals.
This whale-watching tour is available year-round, and depending on the season you travel, different whales may be in the area. Giant blue whales like to visit in the summer and fall months. These whales are the largest mammals ever seen in existence, usually growing to approximately 200 tons (180 metric tons) and 98 feet (30 meters) in length! You may also see grey whales, which can live up to 70 years. Finback whales are also common in the summer months; they are the second-largest mammals after blue whales, and they grow to up to 72 feet (22 meters).
During the winter and spring months, you'll typically see minke and humpback whales. The minke whale is one of the world’s smallest whales, only growing to about 23 feet (7 meters). The beloved humpback whale can grow to be about 52 feet (16 meters). Both whales love krill, and they ‘fluke’ (slap) their tails on the water in order to bring the krill up to the surface. Humpbacks are a very curious breed of whales and are often referred to as ’friendlies’ by sailors because they love to come up to ships.
Keep your eyes peeled for other marine life like seals, sea lions and several types of dolphins. Your friendly and knowledgeable captain and crew all come from strong backgrounds in marine biology and will be able to answer all your questions.
Special Offer - Book and save 25% compared to the local supplier's prices! - Book Now!
No whales but plenty of dolphins who swam right next to the boat. It's also not 2.5 hours as it says. But nice tour and glad i did it.
Review by: kortneeburrell, June 2018
I was disappointed because I didn't see any whales, but we did capture dolphins swimming multiple times. I also had the opportunity to see some sea lions. Overall, the experience was enjoyable and I definitely recommend this sighting seeing tour!
Review by: Niki L, March 2018
Awesome fun time!!! Crew was so great, fun and courteous ... Check-in was very simple. You gotta do this when doing the tourist thing!!!
Review by: Mouhcine B, January 2018
Parking was a challenge. We have not seen any whales.
Review by: Candace M, November 2017
This was a cool experience but there are a few things I didn't like. When booking, it would have been important to let people know just how cold it would be out there. Maybe letting us know the average temperature over the water during that season. Everyone was wearing a light jacket expecting it to be a little colder than on land, but it was a lot colder. Everyone was freezing because they really weren't prepared for it._br/_ Also, the cruise would be properly branded as a Marine Life Watching tour. It was only when we got on the boat we were told that we might not see a whale. Which was highly disappointing and felt misleading! Thankfully!! We did see one hump back whale right at the end of our tour. That made up for what felt 45 minutes of aimlessly circling the water with nothing in sight in the freezing cold for so long! It would've been nice to have something to entertain us with during the wait as well._br/_ That being said we did see a large pod of dolphins and some sea lions catching some rays on a buoy. So that was pretty cool. _br/_ Overall, I enjoyed the tour!
Review by: Marcy W, October 2017
Good trip. We saw lots of common dolphins, seals, and sea lions but unfortunely no whales.
Review by: Ariovaldo S, September 2017
Realmente, um belo passeio.
Review by: Christine C, September 2017
The tour was great, the crew was friendly and fun. We saw so many dolphin, including lots of babies. Great value for a couple of hours on the ocean.
Review by: Peter S, September 2017
This was a great 2 hours out in the bay. Boat was spacious and clean and the crew informative and friendly. No whales but a large pod of about 200 dolphins further out which meant an excellent half an hour or so as they swam around the boat jumping in and out of the water. To see mothers and their young was an absolute joy. Sea lions on the way back rounded off a memorable trip. Well worth doing.
Review by: Roxana A, August 2017
The trip was amazing. We got to see a huge family of Dolphins. They were beautiful !!!!
Review by: Suzanne P, August 2017
The trip was amazing. The water was relatively calm and the weather was wonderful. We did see a couple of whales but, we also saw a beautiful, purple marlin. The marlin came almost to the boat. On the way back into the dock, We saw several sea lions sunning themselves on a buoy.
Review by: Thomas G, July 2017
This trip was outstanding! The ship was spacious, clean and the crew went out of their way to make sure we saw some marine life while we were out. No whales, but hundreds of dolphins and several sea lions.
Review by: Mark O, June 2017
So glad we took this cruise!! I was just excited to be out on the water and didn and #39;t really expect much more. It didn and #39;t take long before someone spotted a whale and we got so close we could smell its breath! I highly recommend this cruise!!
Review by: Mike L, June 2017
Good tour - saw 2 whales. the boat has a 'vip' area reserved seats and captain angles boat to keep the whales in the best sight of those seats that is the best spot to watch from but apparently isn't available for booking via viator. was bummed when got to boat but aside from that was good.
Review by: CARLOS M, May 2017
Frustrating and disappointing at the very least. They should stop advertising about this whale-watching because there is absolutely nothing to see.
Review by: Claudina, May 2017
We loved it! and yes... we saw whales!!!_br/_ Everyone friendly and a lovely tour to do.
Review by: Claudina, April 2017
We loved it! and yes... we saw whales!!!_br/_ Everyone friendly and a lovely tour to do.
Review by: KDubb, April 2017
We took this tour on a Friday morning in April and it was the highlight of our California trip! We saw numerous dolphins, sea lions, and whales! It was amazing to see so much marine life 100 yards off the Newport coast! You cannot get too close to the whales for their and our safety however there was no need, you can spot a whale tail instantly! So grateful to the crew for doing their best to get us the experience we were hoping for! I highly recommend you not worry about where you are sitting if you travel with kids because as soon as the boat took of we were on our feet the whole time and stayed up front for the best views! Also, I suggest you try the grilled cheese sandwich on board, but remember to bring cash as it is cash only :
Review by: William R, March 2017
In addition to dolphins and sea lions we were fortunate to watch 3 gray whales, one of which put on quite a show breaching between 5 and 7 times. Our excursion was exceptional!
Review by: Jaime j P, January 2017
Could not see a single whale.
Review by: Majed A, October 2016
We didn and #39;t get to see any whales due to the weather. Staff gave a free ticket to try again though.
Review by: Mary Jo N, October 2016
Outstanding! We enjoyed this tour immensely! Our group was able to see a humpback whale up close as it breached and flipped its tail - we were even close enough to smell its fishy breath when it spouted. The drone operator flew the drone right over the whale making it easier for the group to find the sweet spot to watch for the whale's movements. We splurged afterward and purchased the drone footage and some of the close-up photos of the whale - well worth the modest charge.
Review by: sarah H, September 2016
We went out at 5 pm and were very lucky seeing whales, dolphins, sea lions.On our return had a beautiful sun set.
Review by: Grant C, September 2016
Very good and well organized. Sadly we didn't see any whales but we did see an enormous pod of dolphins.
Review by: Jewel F, August 2016
Had an awesome time. Whale came right up next to the vessel. The crew members were very informative about their job.
Review by: Jewel F, August 2016
Had an awesome time. Whale came right up next to the vessel. The crew members were very informative about their job.
Review by: dianejcox, August 2016
sorry did the review earlier but forgot the stars. It was so worth every penny we spent. Crew went above and beyond to make sure our trip was the best possible. Was so thankful for all the seating that was available. Will go again
Review by: Kayleigh B, July 2016
The staff were great, we saw 2 humpback whales and around 300 dolphins, it was a great trip!
Review by: Judy H, July 2016
This trip was fantastic. The captain was knowledgable and entertaining
Review by: Troy n, July 2016
Worst service ever didn and #39;t make it to cruise no parking around and no help bad experience.
Review by: Daniel C, July 2016
Awesome, we saw common dolphins, a humpback and I believe a minke whale from a distance, very kid friendly and the guys have you feel comfortable and safe, would definitely go again
Review by: Betty C, June 2016
It was a great trip! We saw a couple of humpback whales and many dolphins. This was a Father's Day surprise and it went very well daughter and dad were happy just to be out in the ocean and sighting whales and dolphins was perfect. Great day!
Review by: al karim d, April 2016
it was very very good thanks
Review by: CLARENCE S, December 2015
No sightings, and wasted 2.5 hrs out at sea.
Review by: Ilya M, December 2015
Great!
Review by: Joao Alberto M, September 2015
No wales only dolphins but I enjoy the cruise.
Review by: Yukinobu T, August 2015
I could enjoy seeing a lot of dolphins, however unfortunately I could not see any whales.
Review by: johnkuziel, August 2015
The whales put on a fantastic show, the crew was excellent, just a very enjoyable outing, ages 17-75 in our group and we all had a geat time.
Review by: Simone B, July 2015
Very well organised and great viewing from the boat.
Review by: rohit s, July 2015
it was nice, we got to see a huge Pod of dolphins but could not see any whales at all, probably because we did not have enough time to go look for whales
Review by: Lisa M, July 2015
We had a wonderful time on our very first time out. The staff was great and would keep us updated on where to look and what we were looking at. Very knowledgeable. _br/_
The only thing I would add is some sea sick medicine in the full service galley. The poor non-sea worthy kids could have used something._br/_
If we are ever back in the area we would definitely go again.
Review by: Gerald B, July 2015
While an enjoyable ride the sight seeing was weak. Some dolphins were spotted and a couple of seals but no whales. Will probably try another whale watching tour on our next visit to the area.
Review by: carina, March 2015
Excellent !!,
Review by: Clair R, March 2015
We had a fantastic time on our whale watching tour. We were lucky enough to come upon a super pod of dolphins , 4 whales and 5 seals! The staff was friendly and knowledable, the boat was clean. The only bummer was up top on our boat the center was wide open with very little seating around the edges so we sat on the floor. Luckily we brought a few towels with us to sit on. Other than that we enjoyed our tour!
Review by: NATALIE H, March 2015
Trip was amazing, we saw 11 whales and loads of dolphins, the ship captain was very friendly and knowledgable, as we were leaving the harbour a bottlenose dolphin was at the front of the boat, the captain made sure everybody got to see it instead of people pushing and shoving and blocking the view._br/_
We were very lucky to see so many whales but it was a spectacular sight, would def recommend!!!!
Review by: Lisa E, October 2014
Very crowded boat! We only saw a few dolphins and sea lions, no whales. I appreciate that nature is unpredictable, but our tour was cut short by 3/4 an hour, and although we were given a 'free' return voucher, this wasn't something we could use. Not really the best experience.
Review by: Jorge Babroo, September 2014
Very nice experience. We only got to see the whales from far away but was amazing to see these creatures. Dolphins are a great plus and incredible. Personel was kind and very well train. Food in the boat is good and with lots to choose from. Extra tip: If you come by car, there's only two locations where you can park for more than 2 hours (tour is about 3). Arrive early so you don't have to run to board the boat.
Review by: Zulu, September 2014
Nice boat ride, and informativ and friendly crew._br/_
No whales or dolphins, which was a BIG dissapointment.
Review by: barry c, September 2014
didnt see any whales but lots of dolphins and sea lions very good trip and nice friendly staff on board .
Review by: Aaron B, September 2014
Our boat left 15 min late and returned 25 min early. We saw dolphins, which was fun, but no whales. Crew was not very interactive. Nice boat ride at sunset.
RSS Feed