Friday, August 21, 2026
Morning Surface Activity and Hundreds of Common Dolphins
Morning surface displays gave way to steady encounters with hundreds of common dolphins and large rafts of seabirds across Monterey Bay aboard Sanctuary.
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Whale Watching
Book your Monterey Bay tour today and get closer to whales, dolphins, and unforgettable ocean wildlife.
Sanctuary Cruises is Different — In a Good Way
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.
Small-group departures
Guest count is set by each departure. The boat never feels crowded - there is always room to move and find your angle.
Naturalist aboard
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.
Experienced captains
Our captains have 30+ years on Monterey Bay, making sure you see as much wildlife as possible on every trip.
The most diverse fleet on the bay
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.
Available Dates
Choose Your Adventure
Latest from the Captain's Log
Fresh wildlife reports from Monterey Bay, posted after recent trips.
★★★★★
What Our Guests Say
“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
“I've been whale watching out of Moss Landing many times over the years, and Sanctuary Cruises is always my first choice. After taking several trips each year with different operators in Monterey Bay, they continue to stand out as the best whale watching experience to my satisfaction.. Captain Joey and the crew are knowledgeable, passionate, and genuinely dedicated to finding whales and providing the best wildlife viewing opportunities possible. They're willing to head offshore when needed, which has led to some amazing encounters. I've had multiple close-up sightings of orcas, along with blue whales, fin whales,, dolphins, and many other marine species besides the most common humpback whale sightings. The trips are well organized, and I really appreciate that they limit the number of passengers so the boat doesn't get overcrowded. The best part is being right next to the underwater canyon where you can literally be seeing whales within several minutes into the trip! And the new Ocean Spirit is real fun with only 6 passengers! If you're looking for an exciting whale watching adventure in Monterey Bay, I highly recommend booking a trip on the Sanctuary or the Ocean Spirit out of Moss Landing!”
— 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
Your Monterey Bay Story Starts on the Water
Reserve your seat aboard Sanctuary today. Whale season is now - and dates fill up fast.