Sightseeing Cruises

Boston Whale Watching Cruise by New England Aquarium

Guests enjoying a whale watching cruise on an England Aquarium tour.

Guides on England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise pointing at sea.

Humpback whale breaching in ocean waters.

Dolphins swimming in the ocean during England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise.

Duration

3 hrs 30 mins

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

4.4/5(156)

Lesly G

Group

Verified booking

2 days ago

The crew members on the boat are very nice and consistently implemented passenger safety protocols. However, beware as you head towards deeper into the ocean approaching the destination, the seasickness is horrific. My teenage boys were sea sick and the staff kindly informed passengers who were sick to head towards the back of the boat. It was amusing to see manybpassengers clustered together in the back feeling sick to their stomach :). Coming back, it was great, I believe its because we were going along the waves. Would I do this again? 99% chance, no, lol. The staff and departure arrangement is 100% star service.

Melissa T

Family

Verified booking

Yesterday

Excellent whale watching cruise! Knowledgeable crew, clean boat, very professional from start to finish. We saw I know at least 10 whales, seals, lots of birds and even some jellyfish while we were out. The boat ride was great even though we had two foot swells to contend with that day.

Vikki S

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

We were fortunate and saw a lot of wales The commitment was f the crew to the sustainability and ethical conservation of sea life and wales is very evident and the talks interesting and informative Bring layers as it can go from boiling at the dock to freezing at the wale spotting place Highly recommend

Miya B

Family

Verified booking

Last week

We were so lucky and saw ~25 different whales, including 3 calves! The guides were extremely knowledgeable and made the entire experience engaging. The boat was very comfortable and clean. Would definitely do the whale watching tour again and will recommend it to all my friends/family.

Andrew F

Family

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

Saw dozens of whales and our guide was so excited at each siting. A great excursion for three generations, me, my son and and two grandchildren. An experience of a lifetime.

Set sail on a 3 to 4-hour whale watching cruise, led by naturalists from the New England Aquarium—one of the world’s leading marine conservation and research institutions.

Spot varieties—humpback, fin, & minke whales and even dolphins, all in their natural habitats at Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary.

Step out onto the spacious outdoor viewing decks or sit comfortably inside, taking in panoramic views through large glass windows.

Ask the expert naturalists questions you may have about all that you see—marine life, their behaviours, and habitats.

3 to 4 hour cruise

Knowledgeable naturalist from the New England Aquarium on board

Comfortable high-speed catamaran with outdoor observation decks

Climate-controlled cabin with large windows

Cushioned seats

State-of-the-art audio and video systems

Food & beverages from the snack bar

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

156 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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5
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Guests from United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and over 17 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Lesly G
Group
Verified booking
2 days ago
The crew members on the boat are very nice and consistently implemented passenger safety protocols. However, beware as you head towards deeper into the ocean approaching the destination, the seasickness is horrific. My teenage boys were sea sick and the staff kindly informed passengers who were sick to head towards the back of the boat. It was amusing to see manybpassengers clustered together in the back feeling sick to their stomach :). Coming back, it was great, I believe its because we were going along the waves. Would I do this again? 99% chance, no, lol. The staff and departure arrangement is 100% star service.
Melissa T
Family
Verified booking
Yesterday
Excellent whale watching cruise! Knowledgeable crew, clean boat, very professional from start to finish. We saw I know at least 10 whales, seals, lots of birds and even some jellyfish while we were out. The boat ride was great even though we had two foot swells to contend with that day.
Tara P
Family
Verified booking
2 days ago
The staff were super friendly and seemed to enjoy answer all of our questions. It was a great adventure going whale watching !
Tom B
Group
Verified booking
Yesterday
Great whale views, and wonderful staff!
Vikki S
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
We were fortunate and saw a lot of wales The commitment was f the crew to the sustainability and ethical conservation of sea life and wales is very evident and the talks interesting and informative Bring layers as it can go from boiling at the dock to freezing at the wale spotting place Highly recommend

Getting started

Meet your crew at the boarding point mentioned on your ticket. After a quick security scan, head to the high-speed catamaran. Departure is from One Long Wharf, located between the Long Wharf Marriott Hotel and the New England Aquarium.

What to expect

Enjoy the luxuries of the boat—spacious outdoor observation decks and climate-controlled indoor cabins furnished with big windows, cushioned seats, tables, state-of-the-art audio and video systems, and a snack counter where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

Features

Live guide: The tour is led by a naturalist from the New England Aquarium, who will answer all your (relevant) questions and help you better understand & appreciate the marine ecosystem.

Boston harbor views: As you speed across the Massachusetts coastal waters, you can spot landmarks such as Castle Island and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park before reaching your destination—Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary.

Marine life: Spot a variety of whales such as humpback, fin, and minke whales; white-sided dolphins, and more. The sanctuary is a rich feeding ground for marine life.

What to bring

Visitors who are prone to motion sickness are advised to take medication before boarding the boat.

What's not allowed

Smoking is strictly prohibited.

Accessibility

The cruise is wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

Infant tickets must be purchased onboard.

If you're prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking preventive medication before boarding to ensure a comfortable experience.

The cruise timings may vary due to the unpredictability of sightings, so be prepared to accommodate any delays.

Food and beverages are available for purchase onboard.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point

Please arrive at the boarding point 30 mins before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.

Boarding point

Board your cruise at Boston Harbor City Cruises - Long Wharf.

Address: 1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02210.

Landmark: Located between the Long Wharf Marriott Hotel and the New England Aquarium.

Get directions to the boarding point