Check
out Info/Directions
or Whales
&
Dolphins
by Season for a brief but thorough overview
on how to prepare and what we see when.
If
you're new to whale watching on the Monterey Bay,
comparing companies you'll find a 2.5 hour trip
out of Monterey for $39.95. Our trip is close to
twice as long, plus parking in Moss Landing is cheap
or free and you park right next to our dock. Wharf
parking in Monterey is expensive and there is a
long walk to the dock.
But most of all, nobody does it like we do. Nobody.
Please
see our Cancellation Policy below.
You
may charge purchases on the boats (Relief Bands,
food, drink, apparel & more) to the credit
card used for your tickets.
Please: No coolers, glass or strollers on the cruise. (Car seats are okay and much safer than strollers.)
Sanctuary has a nice snack bar with hot and cold drinks and snack foods.
Whales
by Season:
Spring: Gray whales, Humpbacks, Orcas
& Dolphins
Summer: Humpbacks, Blue Whales, Orcas & Dolphins
Fall: Humpbacks, Blues, Orcas & Dolphins
We see more than this, such as fin whales, minke
(pronounced meen'kee) whales & sperm whales,
but the main whale sightings are listed by season
above.
Winter
Species: Gray Whales, Dolphins, Orcas (the largest
of the dolphins), even a few Humpbacks occasionally
We always see harbor seals, sea otters, sea lions, local and migratory birds and other cool creatures.
"We had an amazing trip - so many humpbacks coming quite close, lots of flukes, a Mola mola [giant ocean sunfish], plus great weather and the great crew made it a perfect day." Diane Gunvalson
Photo
by Matt & Ryan Griffiths
"You have such great enthusiasm for what you do, that people always have a great time."
Kris~Sand Rock Farm B & B, Aptos, CA
CANCELLATION POLICY: We have a 72 hour cancellation policy. You may cancel or change your reservation up until the last 72 hours without charge. If a credit needs to be issued, it will be done within 48 hours of notice of cancellation. It will show up on your account 3 days later (credit card company policy).
You are committed to your reservation the last 72 hours. Cancellation within the last 72 hours is subject to a 100% charge.
Parties with guaranteed reservations who fail to show or arrive too late and miss the cruise will be charged the full price.
Our cruises are on the Monterey Bay and surrounding Pacific Ocean. These are exposed waters and there is the chance of rough water, wind, rain, fog and other weather.
Weather forecasts often prove to be inaccurate, so we usually wait until the day of the cruise to determine whether we will run. Cruises are very rarely canceled due to weather. San Francisco Bay Area weather is not Monterey Bay weather. Even San Jose weather is not Monterey Bay weather. Each can experience very different weather. Most of the time, there is more rain in the S.F. Bay Area than on the central coast.
If you're not sure you want to participate in the cruise because of the weather forecast or other commitments, you may elect to go standby, meaning your reservation is not guaranteed. You'll be required to wait at the dock until cruise time to see if there's room. You'll need to bring cash as payment.
Captains are Coast Guard licensed Vessel Masters. Our vessels are fully insured and carry all of the required safety equipment such as life jackets with lights, life rafts and Emergency Position Radio Beacon.
Captains determine safety of conditions for the cruise. If the captain determines conditions are not safe for the cruise, it will be canceled. This may happen at the last moment as conditions are constantly changing. However, if a major storm comes through and we're sure the night before that we won't be running the next day, we will call you and cancel in advance. There is no charge to you if we cancel the day's cruise due to weather. In the event of cancellation of the cruise due to weather during the first two hours of the cruise, you will receive a full refund or rain check for another day. There are no refunds or rain checks after the first two hours of the cruise.
To
Contact Us:
Email
us! We usually reply within a few hours.
Call: 831.917.1042
Write to us at:
Mailing
Address Only:
Sanctuary Cruises
Mike Sack & Dorris Welch
P.O. Box 473, Moss Landing CA 95039
