City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat
Badge of Excellence
Boston, USA
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Experience the best of New England’s marine wildlife on this guided whale-watching cruise around the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Hop on a high-speed boat in Boston that gets to and from the whales in the least amount of time possible. Look out for humpback and fin whales, plus Atlantic white-sided dolphins, with the help of a naturalist guide. The on-board galley offers food and beverages for purchase during the trip.
- Maximize your sightseeing time aboard a high-speed vessel
- Have the best chance of spotting whales, dolphins, and more
- Discover a side of the region that many other Boston visitors miss
- Learn insider facts and stories from your on-board naturalist guide
What's Included
- Whale Watch Cruise aboard Catamaran
- See a variety of whales, including Humpbacks, Finbacks, and Minkes.
- Visit Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding ground for whales other marine creatures
- Narrated by a New England Aquarium Naturalist as your Guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Restroom (on board)
- Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)
- GratuitiesOptional.
- Sea sickness medication (for guests prone to motion sickness)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, USA
The Ticket Center is located at 1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02110, next to the Marriott Hotel, with a statue of a Humpback whale on its roof.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
Beginning at Long Wharf in Boston, hop aboard a high-speed boat and embark on a whale-watching cruise to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This stretch of open water at the mouth of Massachusetts Bay serves as a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds, and many other marine creatures.
Look out for humpback, finback, and minke whales, with the help of a naturalist from the New England Aquarium. They share their knowledge about the animals’ behaviors, conservation status, scientific tracking, and more.
In between whale sightings, relax in the comfortable, climate-controlled indoor cabin, which also features a galley offering food and beverages for purchase. The location of the whales may require more travel time, extending the trip beyond the allotted time. Please allow for additional time in your schedule.
After half a day of exploring, your tour ends back at Long Wharf.
Look out for humpback, finback, and minke whales, with the help of a naturalist from the New England Aquarium. They share their knowledge about the animals’ behaviors, conservation status, scientific tracking, and more.
In between whale sightings, relax in the comfortable, climate-controlled indoor cabin, which also features a galley offering food and beverages for purchase. The location of the whales may require more travel time, extending the trip beyond the allotted time. Please allow for additional time in your schedule.
After half a day of exploring, your tour ends back at Long Wharf.
1
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- Remember sunscreen and sunglasses
- Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure. Guests must arrive early, as late arrivals will miss the boat.
- Bring a light sweater or jacket, as well as sunscreen and sunglasses.
- Not recommended for guests prone to motion sickness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 350 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Landis_S
Was an incredible experience! Would absolutely do this again anytime! Was such a beautiful time. The crew were awesome!!
Reviews
4.4
based on 3,115 reviews
Nadezhda_T, Dec 2025
Great guids, nice vibe, informative excursion. Whales are amazing...
Would love to see these amazing animals again😉
Aaron_M, Nov 2025
The whale watching tour was Amazing. The guides were as excited as I was to see the wildlife. They also were very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you enjoyed the whale-watching tour and that our guides’ enthusiasm and knowledge helped make it special. We hope to welcome you back for another amazing experience!
NikkiS, Nov 2025
What an amazing experience, we were so lucky to have 2 whales right up alongside the boat. All the crew members were fantastic and great at sharing knowledge and answering questions. Just incredible.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the amazing review! Having two whales right alongside the boat is truly special, and we’re thrilled our crew helped make the experience even more memorable with their knowledge and kindness. We hope to see you again for another incredible trip!
Sreenivasulu_R, Nov 2025
The Tour operator suddenly canceled the tour, all the way we came from India due to cancellation our schedule was disturbed. Very bad experience .
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We’re very sorry for the cancellation and the inconvenience it caused during your trip. We understand your disappointment and truly appreciate your feedback. Please contact us directly so we can assist you further.
Holly_M, Nov 2025
The crew was knowledgeable and professional. It was a sunny day, moderate wind and a pretty smooth ride. Saw a lot of dolphins! Two humpbacks close enough to the boat for some nice views, shots and videos. The city and sunset views were gorgeous! Will definitely do this again! Went in early November, wasn’t crowed at all.
Jessica_A, Nov 2025
What a whale watch, saw 5 whales plus dolphins! Staff kind and very knowledgeable about all things whales.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Wow, what an incredible sighting! Thank you for sharing your experience. We’re thrilled you enjoyed seeing the whales and dolphins, and that our staff made the trip even more memorable with their knowledge and kindness. Hope to see you on another adventure soon!
Kat_F, Nov 2025
A great experience! Saw 8-10 whales! The crew was friendly & I formative! A great day with my Navy sister❤️
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled you and your Navy sister had a great day and enjoyed seeing so many whales. We’re glad our friendly and informative crew made the experience special!
Margo_C, Nov 2025
Great time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well worth it. Very educational and interesting!!!!!!!!!!
HectorF_V, Nov 2025
My girfriend and I, had a great time observing whales diving and resting nest to the boat. We were able to see more than 10 whales in about 45 - 60 minutes period.
Cordula_C, Oct 2025
This was well worth it. Would do it again. Once we were in “whale-territory” they took their time letting us observe the whales, while explaining what the whales were doing and then searching for and finding more whales to appear. On the way back we had the opportunity to ask more questions.
Bethany_M, Oct 2025
INCREDIBLE experience!!! Highly recommend if you’re traveling to Boston - I went solo but would be so fun with friends/family too. After reading reviews about people getting seasick, I came prepared with motion sickness wristbands, an ear patch, and Dramamine just to be overly cautious. With all of that, I felt great the whole trip! I went toward the end of October & stayed on the top deck the whole time - it got very cold while we were heading out to the feeding ground so definitely bundle up! The staff and crew were incredible and very informative. We got SO lucky and saw 6 whales!!! We left the dock around 9am and returned just before 1pm. Truly a breathtaking experience.
Barb_C, Oct 2025
This was an incredible experience!!! Saw many whales swimming and flapping their fins! The crew was fantastic at pointing out animals.
Geraint_T, Oct 2025
A slightly strange review - the trip was curtailed due to another passenger being injured but the operator handled everything really well and announced refunds for all passengers with no questions asked.
Dolores_S, Oct 2025
Our trip was a bit unconventional. There was a medical emergency which required our excursion to be. It short as we dropped off the person in another community.
However the staff was purely professional, communicative and went around individually to see if anyone needed help.
It was still a fun event on the water.
Hilary_F, Oct 2025
Had an absolute fantastic trip. Informative, and we were lucky with so many sightings! A really good option for a Boston experience! There is always a chance you won’t see whales, but the ride out was is great. Bring something to contain your hair if it is long and a jacket. Even if warm, the wind can be chilly. 10/10 experience.
Timothy_A, Oct 2025
Great whale watching in late October. Saw 10 to 12 whales . Good boat. Good crew. Easy online transaction.
Rachelle_S, Oct 2025
Outstanding! Crew was friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. Whales did their part and put on a show! Highly recommend
Michelle_S, Oct 2025
It was amazing! The whales showed up and gave us a show! Truly a special experience! And the crew were amazing and informative! They were all invested in making sure the guests had a great safe experience!
Jodi_P, Oct 2025
Absolutely fabulous experience overall. The sea was a little rough on the way out and we had to wait a little while to see anything but when we did..it was 100% worth it! We saw Minke and Humpbacks and it was surreal. The staff were all great, really attentive to those who were feeling rough and the narration on the boat was brilliant. It was informative but not over the top, it was just enough. Absolutely made our whole trip going to see these magnificent creatures. Thank you!
Amber_F, Oct 2025
The whale watching tour was okay but not really worth the money. While we did see some whales, there were way too many people on board, which made it hard to get a good view. The constant movement of people going in and out from the deck to indoors was also a bit frustrating. That said, the guide was very knowledgeable and shared a lot of great information about the wildlife
Terrence_B, Oct 2025
Saw a humpback blow and dive several times, including one up close. The narrator was great and enthusiastic.
Priscilla_M, Oct 2025
In October the weather was beautiful but with a high temp being only 60 degrees be sure and bundle up...it was very chilly and windy but lovely
Laura_F, Oct 2025
A great outing, family friendly, really cool to see the whales and learn about them. The snack bar on board is well-stocked, and there are books, coloring pages, and other kid's activities for the hour or so ride each way to where the whales are. Although we didn't spot other wildlife this trip, there's potential to see much more than whales. I'd recommend this outing if you're interested in sea life.
Julie_C, Oct 2025
OMG, what am amazing experience! Colin was a great guide with lots of fun facts, and the captain was able to find great spots for sightings of the humpback whales. AH-MAZING. So, so glad we diid this excursion.
Jeaneth_L, Oct 2025
Went in October, super cold so take a warm jacket! Cute experience we got lucky and saw 4 whales. If you get sea sick don't even go. Lots of people feeling dizzy and vomiting, made the experience a bit gross.
Tisa_S, Oct 2025
Wrong time of year. Great team and boat.
There are snacks and drinks for purchase. Staff is friendly and very knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback! We're glad to hear you enjoyed the boat, our friendly and knowledgeable team, and the available snacks and drinks. We’re sorry the timing of your visit wasn’t ideal — we hope you’ll join us again during peak season for the best possible experience on the water!
Eric_Z, Oct 2025
Was cold and windy on the water, definitely bring a jacket. Thought it was going to be disappointing after 3 hours passed without seeing anything. Luckily we found 2 humpbacks together and saw some incredible things. Full breach, flipper slapping, and general swimming about. Ended up being an absolute stunner of a day.
Angie_M, Oct 2025
Although we didn’t see any whales, we did have a good trip. The views are good, there is food (for pay) and bathrooms on board. The water was really choppy and the boat maneuvered that quite well. They offered us credits because no whales were spotted and we haven’t seen those yet (2 days later) so we are hoping for those to show up. The boat isn’t built for handicapped. Overall it was a good trip!
Michael_M, Oct 2025
The scientists and crew were very passionate about the animals, and that came through during the tour. They were very knowledgeable with an injection of humor, albeit a little bit on the corny side, but enough to make one smile. We had the privilege of seeing a pair of humpbacks during our time in the feeding grounds and witnessed a fluke. They are truly remarkable animals.
Kirsten_K, Oct 2025
Not enough seats. Long day to stand most of the time. Luckily there were two whales out there. Great naturalist. Staff was busy talking rather than waiting on people. Some food and drink to hold u over.
From $85.56
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat
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