Time is ticking and you only have so many vacations in your lifetime to get to. That’s why you should highly consider checking out some of the best whale watching cruise destinations to view these giant sea mammals up close and personal.

Whale watching has been one of my all-time favorite bucket list items to get to. Regretfully when I finally got the chance to try it in Seattle the cruises were still down due to Covid.

Maybe next time.

Therefore, it’s fitting that I start with Seattle as one of the best whale watching cruise spots in the US.

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Headed to Any of These Whale Watching Vacation Destinations?

Seattle (San Juan Islands)

Washington State is home to some of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. One of the best whale watching cruise destinations to view these mammoth creatures is along the Whale Trail around the San Juan Islands (about a 90-minute drive from Seattle).

Whales You Can See near Seattle

Orcas (Killer Whales), Humpbacks, Minkes, Gray Whales (plus other wildlife such as sea lions and dolphins)

When to Go

Peak Season (Best Time): Summer Months (mid-June- early September)

But you can still take whale-watching cruises all year. Many tour companies offer a money-back guarantee in the event you do not see whales on the cruise.

Best Whale Watching Cruises Here

• San Juan Safaris | Phone: (800) 450-6858

They are located in the San Juan Islands a 90-minute drive north of Seattle. There are two ways there: 1) rent a car and drive to Anacortes then take a ferry ride to Friday Harbor or 2) reserve a Whale Plane from them that flies from Lake Union in downtown Seattle to the Friday Harbor Marina.

[Click Here] for more San Juan Safaris info, schedule and prices

• Island Adventures | Phone 1-800-465-4604; Call or Text Local: 360-293-2428

Don’t feel like taking the ferry from Anacortes to Friday Harbor? Island Adventures is located on Anacortes! Take whale watching cruises straight from here.

[Click Here] for Island Adventures rates and schedule

• Puget Sound Express | 360-385-5288

Located in the Seattle suburb of Edmonds (to the north), Puget Sound Express offers half-day whale watching cruises and even a package that includes a boxed lunch.

The Puget Sound Express whale watching cruises are some of the closest ones to downtown Seattle.

[Click Here] for schedule, rates, and information on the Puget Sound Express tours from Edmonds.

(*View this checklist of recommended items while visiting a Whale Trail site.)

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Maui, Hawaii

As many as 10,000 Humpback whales migrate from Alaska to Hawaii to breed, give birth, and care for their calves in the warm and shallow waters of the Auau Channel. The stunning green mountainous backdrop of the island combined with the sheer beauty of the big blue Pacific make this one of the best whale-watching cruise spots in the world.

What Whales You Can See in Maui

Humpback, Blue, Gray, Minke, Fin (and dolphins)

When to Go

Mid-December to May

Best Whale Watching Tours in Maui

==>[Click Here for Deals/Availability] on Whale Watching Tours in Hawaii

• Makai Adventures | 808-495-1001​

Makai Adventures’ 2-hour whale-watching cruises depart daily from Lahaina Harbor Slip #16 with small groups of 20 or less. Their cruises take place during whale season from December 1 to April 15.

Check out their private charter boats built for comfort and safety that accommodate small groups.

[Click here] for more info, rates, and schedules.

• Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel | Phone: (808) 667-5678

Ultimate Whale Watch and Snorkel offers affordable small group tours (26 or less) at sunrise or sunset up to VIP private charter boat rides.

[Click Here] for their rates, schedule, and info

• Pacwhale Eco Adventures | 808-249-8811

Pacwhale Eco-Adventures offers a unique whale-watching experience with marine biologists and naturalists who provide a better understanding of these sea giants’ behavior and lifestyle.

[Click Here] for more detailed info, schedules, and rates.

Gloucester, MA

Gloucester (about a 45-minute drive north from Boston) is located on the southern shore of the rocky Cape Ann which juts 11 miles out into the North Atlantic Ocean.  Cape Ann sits between two major whale feeding areas: Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey’s Ledge which make up the 842 square-mile Stellwagen Bank Nation Marine Sanctuary (created in November of 1992). You’ll also find yourself minutes from one of the coolest US castles you can visit.

Due to the proximity to the easy-to-fly-to city of Boston and the abundance of whale sighting in the sanctuary, Massachusetts makes for one of the best whale watching cruise spots in the US.

What Whales You Can See in Gloucester, MA

Minke, Sei, Northern Right, and Finbacks are regularly seen. You can also view Pilot Whales, Sperm Whales, and Blue Whales (as well as Atlantic White Sided Dolphins and Harbor Porpoises).

When to Go

Watch them feed from early May to October

Best Whale Watching Tours near Gloucester, MA

==>[Click Here for Deals/Info/Availability] on Gloucester, MA Whale Watching Tours

• 7 Seas Whale Watch | 978-283-1776

Check out the whales you will see on 7 Seas Whale Watch’s vessel Privateer IV (includes an accurate percentage of the kinds of whales you’ll see each trip out).

[Click Here] for 7 Seas Whale Watch’s affordable rates, schedule, and info.

• Cape Ann Whale Watch | Phone: 800-877-5110

Cape Ann Whale Watch’s 400-ft, 2-level vessel Hurricane II offers you safety and comfort to view the whales from its rails.

Check out the whales they’ve nestled their guests up close to for 40+years.

[Click Here] for pricing, schedule, and information.

Provincetown, MA

Provincetown is situated in Cape Cod (about 2 1/2 hours southeast of Boston) close to the same feeding grounds between Stellwagen Bank and Jeffrey’s Ledge as the whale watching boat rides from Gloucester.

What Whales You Will See near Provincetown, MA

Humpback, Finback, Minke, Right, and Pilot Whales are the primary whales you will see on whale-watching excursions here.

When to Go

Mid-April to October

Best Whale Watching Cruises near Provincetown

• Seasalt Charters | (508) 444-2732

Check out photos of whales during Seasalt’s Charters excursions.

Seasalt Charters offers a unique variety of whale-watching tours.

• Private Whale Watch Charters- (click for more info)
• Shared Whale Watch Charters
• Combo Whale Watch and Fish Charter
• Custom Charters (weddings, private parties, cocktail cruises, secluded beaches and snorkeling)

• Dolphin Whale Watch | Phone: (800)-826-9300

The Dolphin Whale Watch’s 3-4 hour naturalist-guided boat rides offer comfort, safety, and even food:

• Sundeck and viewing platform on the bow
• Central air and heated cabin
• Multiple restrooms onboard
• Galley with food & drink
• Ample seating on both upper and lower decks

Check out their photo gallery of Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Finback Whales

[Click here] for their rates and schedule

Depoe Bay, OR

Depoe Bay, in the Central Coast of Oregon, is the perfect spot to watch whales migrating back and forth from Alaska to Mexico to feed or breed. From summer to fall they get close to shore where you can perch from the Whale Watching Center where you can see 5-10 whales a day go by.

What Whales Can You See from Depoe Bay, OR

Gray, Humpback, Orcas, sometimes Blue Whales (and dolphins, porpoises)

When Is the Best Time to See Whales from Depoe Bay, OR

• Mid-December to Mid-January 20,000+ Gray Whales head south to the warm Mexican waters.
• June-Mid-November as the whales head north to feed in Alaska, but about 200 whales don’t migrate, insteady they stay just off the Oregon Coast.

Best Whale Watching Cruises in Depoe Bay, OR

• Dockside Charters and Whale Watching Tours | Phone: (541) 765-2545

Dockside Charters and Whale Watching Tours offer inexpensive 1-hour trips on their 50-ft, 2-level boats that depart throughout the day. This is one of the best values of all whale-watching tours throughout the US.

[Click Here] for rates and information.

• Whale’s Tail Charters | (541) 921-1323

Whale’s Tail Charters offer a low-to-the-water boat experience. The comfortable and quiet boats give you an incredible 360° viewpoint of whales and marine wildlife. Only a group of 2-6 passengers is permitted on each boat so you do not feel cramped and packed in. Plus, their rates are dirt cheap as well, so you get a high-quality, value excursion.

Check out their whale watching and wildlife photo gallery.

Take a look at their video gallery.

[Click Here] for prices, information

FREE DOWNLOAD: Grab your copies: Date Ideas for Couples Cards (PDF) and Vacation Activities for Couples Checklist (PDF)

Newport Beach, CA

Newport Landing places you in prime position to view the Grey Whale migration as hundreds of them glide along the Laguna Beach coastline and Newport Harbor.

What Whales Can You See Near Newport Beach, CA

Gray and Blue (plus dolphins and seals)

When to Go

• Blue Whales (May to November)
• Grey Whales (December to April)

Best Whale Watching Cruises from Newport Beach, CA

• Newport Landing Whale Watching | Phone: (949) 675-0551

Newport Landing Whale Watching offers some affordable options based on the type of boat (luxury, size, speed)

Check out their reported whale sightings here.

[Click Here] to view pricing and information.

• Newport Coastal Adventure | (949) 922-8784

Newport Coastal Adventure offers two experiences:

1. General Admission aboard their small 36′ passenger boats with 360° view of wildlife.

[Click Here] for general admission info and pricing.

2. Private Charter aboard their smaller, faster 6-person passenger boat to get even closer to the wildlife.

[Click Here] for pricing and information.

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau’s glaciers produce nutrient-dense waters create a prime feeding ground for humpback whales. Combine that with its narrow, deep waterways, and breathtaking mountainous views, and this is considered by many to be the #1 best whale watching cruise destination in the world for whale watching.

What Whales Can You See in Juneau, Alaska

It’s common to see Orcas, Humpbacks, Dall’s Porpoise, harbor seals, stellar sea lions

When to Go

[Best Time] April to November

Approximately 600 humpbacks inhabit the waters of the northern Inside Passage.

Best Whale Watching Cruises in Juneau, Alaska

• Juneau Tours | Phone: (907) 723-9209

The 2-hour cruises offer bus transportation to and from the dock at beautiful Auke Bay. Their small 24 or 49 passenger whale-watching boats offer comfortable a heated cabin with wide-viewing windows and spacious decks for wildlife spotting.

[Click Here] for photo gallery, prices, and detailed information.

• Allen Marine Tours | (907) 789-0081

The charter bus to the dock at scenic Auke Bay is included as well as snacks and hot drinks. Board a waterjet-powered catamaran specially designed for wildlife viewing. The catamaran offers a warm, comfortable, spacious main cabin, surrounded by large viewing windows. An experienced captain guides you through the island-studded waters of Stephen’s Passage against a majestic view of snow-capped mountain peaks and glaciers.

[Click Here] for reservation and price information.

Which Is the Best Whale Watching Cruise Destination? (Have you gone to any?)