Book your Monterey Bay tour today and get closer to whales, dolphins, and unforgettable ocean wildlife.
Small vessels, big adventure. Sanctuary, Ocean Spirit and Meridian are run by experienced captains with 30+ years on Monterey Bay, focused on getting you the most wildlife action possible.
Guest count is set by each departure. The boat never feels crowded - there is always room to move and find your angle.
Every trip carries a working marine biologist as your guide. We never know what we will see, but our naturalists can tell you all about it.
Our captains have 30+ years on Monterey Bay, making sure you see as much wildlife as possible on every trip.
From the stable, spacious Sanctuary to the fast, low-riding Ocean Spirit RHIB and the private, luxury Meridian — we have the right boat for every trip.
Fresh wildlife reports from Monterey Bay, posted after recent trips.
Saturday, September 19, 2026
Rough afternoon seas in Monterey Bay brought forty feeding humpback whales before three transient killer whales appeared alongside fleeing sea lions, traveling with Sanctuary inbound toward Moss Landing.
Read more →★★★★★
“For 39 years, I dreamed of seeing a Blue Whale in the wild, and thanks to Sanctuary Cruises, that dream finally came true. From the very beginning, everything was seamless. The booking process was easy, the check-in was smooth, and the instructions were clear, detailed, and easy to follow. I felt well-prepared before we even left the dock. What truly made this experience unforgettable was the incredible crew. They went above and beyond their scheduled route and time because they knew how much it meant to everyone on board to find the whales. Their passion, dedication, and genuine excitement made all the difference. When we finally spotted that magnificent Blue Whale, it was an emotional moment I'll never forget. The entire trip was so much fun. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging, and the other passengers shared in the excitement, making it feel like we were all celebrating together. It was one of those rare experiences where complete strangers bond over something truly extraordinary. If you're considering a whale watching tour, I can't recommend Sanctuary Cruises enough. They don't just take you out on the water—they create memories that last a lifetime. Thank you for making a 39-year dream come true. I'll cherish this experience forever.”
— Google · Aug 7, 2026
“We opted for the 6 seat boat which offered fantastic flexibility and maneuverability (note: no potty on board this new vessel of their fleet, so plan ahead). Captain Mike is phenomenal and we caught plenty of whale, dolphin, sea otter and sea lion sightings. Fantastic experience!”
— TripAdvisor · Jul 27, 2026
“Joey and Luke were incredibly welcoming and fun!! I'm glad our group chose this smaller boat rather than a larger option. We were able to see almost 30 sea lions and 8 humpback whales teaming up to catch anchovies and it was incredible!! Super unique to get to see this before our eyes! The sporty conditions made this experience even more exciting, we felt like we were on a rollercoaster! Thank you Joey for being an excellent captain, and Luke for your warmth and knowledge - plus he's an author! Crazy!”
— Google · Jul 16, 2026
Reserve your seat aboard Sanctuary today. Whale season is now - and dates fill up fast.
