Frequently Asked Questions

Nature being, well – wild, means we cannot make any guarantees. We do see whales and/or dolphins on well over 95% of our trips. Although whales are the “main event” on our trips there is so much more to see out on the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We always see Sea Otters, Sea Lions, Seals and Seabirds. The latter often in the 10’s of thousands. Orcas (Killer Whales), the wild cards of the cetaceans, can turn up at anytime of year. That being said, if you do not see a whale or dolphin, you will receive a whale check to come back for another trip for free (subject to availability).

Severe weather in this area of California is rare and cruises will proceed as scheduled in light rain and other mild weather conditions. Marine condition forecasts often prove to be inaccurate, so we often wait until the day of the cruise to determine whether we will run. If the captain determines conditions are not safe for the cruise, it will be cancelled. This may happen up until one hour before the start time of the cruise, as conditions are constantly changing. In the event of cancellation due to weather, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule their tickets (subject to availability) or receive credit for a future event.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary abounds with incredible sea life all year. We are fortunate to be able to see different species of whales throughout the year. Therefore it is always a good time to see whales on Monterey Bay.

Our most common whales are the Humpback Whales which feed in the bay quite close to Moss Landing from March through late fall. We have whales and dolphins year-round on the Monterey Bay. The kinds of whales we see depend on the season. In the Spring, expect gray whales, humpbacks, orcas and dolphins. Summer brings humpbacks, blue whales, and orcas. For the fall, expect humpbacks, blues, and orcas. In the winter we tend to see gray whales, orcas, and even a few humpbacks.

We always see harbor seals, sea otters, sea lions, local and migratory birds. We often see different kinds of dolphins and porpoises, including Rissos dolphins, Pacific bottle-nose dolphins, Pacific white-sided dolphins, harbor porpoise and Dall’s porpoise. Other marine treats include the giant ocean sunfish, jellies and even sea turtles.

We don’t work like that. The way we operate is to make a slow and cautious approach, to always allow the whales or dolphins to control the nature and duration of the interaction. We do this by carefully observing their surfacing patterns, their general behavior and sensing their rhythms so we can slowly become part of their world. Our actual approach depends on species of cetacean we are approaching, whether it is a female with a calf, a feeding group, a single whale, etc. We never approach a whale head on, nor do we try to get extremely close to them. Should one or more come toward us, we put the engines in neutral, thereby stopping the propeller, and wait to see what they are going to do. We often just turn off the engines and sit quietly while watching and listening to the whales. They tend to approach us closer with our engines turned off. We find that by treating these animals with great respect we are treated to amazing encounters.

The thought of being chased by any boat, power or sail, isn’t pleasant to us and we can’t imagine it would be to the whales. While maintaining a respectful distance, we ease closer along their flanks or behind them. We never approach a whale head on, nor do we try to get extremely close to them. Should one or more come toward us, we stop. There are times when they surface close to us and the beauty of that is it’s the whales’ choice, not ours. Every year, we have whales come up our boat to check us out. When this happens, we leave the engines in neutral so there’s no chance of hurting the whales.

From March through late fall we only have to go out a mile or so to be with the feeding humpback whales. This is the beauty of choosing Moss Landing as your whale watching departure port. Over the Winter, to view the migrating Gray Whales we venture the farthest – to the outer bay – to get into the “zone” where the whales cross the bay. When Humpbacks are in, Spring through Fall we often see them within a mile of Moss Landing – our home port. When the Blue Whales show up, over the Summer, they are somewhere in between. You know everyday is different and nothing is set in stone – the whales can go wherever they want and we will do our best to be there with them. When we hear of Orca sightings we will go as far as we can to get to them.

If you don’t know – then please take precautions. Seasickness is an imbalance in the inner ear. Our boat is steady and gentle, and many of our guests don’t experience any seasickness. You may want to consider light medication if you normally take it for motion sickness or rent a Relief Band from us ($7). For those who are prone to seasickness we have a few helpful hints. During the trip, stay outside where you get fresh air. Look forward or stare at a fixed point on land so your inner ear can re-balance. Eat something bland and starchy like saltine crackers. Black tea, ginger tea, ginger ale can all have a calming effect on the stomach and are available in our snack bar. Antacids also help.

Relief Bands are the only devices we know of that can stop seasickness once it’s started. Many passengers have purchased their own after renting ours. Developed by NASA for airsick astronauts, the Relief Band works on the same principle as the sea bands which go on your wrists and exert gentle pressure. The difference is Relief Bands emit an electronic pulse, which is far more effective. You wear one like a watch, but with the face on the inner aspect of the wrist. It’s FDA approved for use with pregnant women and chemotherapy patients. It’s approved for over-the-counter use to prevent travel sickness. We have rented Relief Bands for over six years now and we remain very impressed, but there are limitations. Nothing works for everyone. We rent the devices for $7. They run out fast, so we recommend purchasing your rental in advance along with your tickets.

If you would like to use these devices on board, you should purchase one Relief Band rental per each passenger who would like to use them. The rental costs $7 for one band. Each person only needs one band.

Yes, Sanctuary has one bathroom on board.

No. Our vessel is entirely non-smoking, which includes both the inside and out on deck. If you would like to smoke, you may do so on the dock area before or after the cruise.

Our company does allow healthy pregnant women in their first two trimesters on cruises, but please use common sense and do not come aboard if you may be prone to seasickness or have any risk factors.

Absolutely! Your safety is our number one concern. Sanctuary meets the latest United States Coast Guard regulations. We carry life vests for all passengers and all other required safety equipment. Our captains are Coast Guard licensed Vessel Masters.

Yes, we do offer merchandise that you can buy directly through us and either have it shipped or you can purchase your items during the cruise. Merchandise includes t-shirts, fleece pullovers, caps, beanies and souvenirs and we are constantly changing our selection. For more information, please email crew@santuarycruises.com or click on the “Contact Sanctuary” link.

Yes we offer discounts for groups of 11 or more. Educational classes receive a special discounted rate but must be booked directly with Sanctuary Cruises.

Advanced purchase is strongly recommended, as cruises often sell out well in advance. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please book as far ahead of time as possible.

We welcome children aboard Sanctuary and love to share our bay’s wonders with them. We require a 1:1 adult/child ratio for children 1-5. We ask that small children remain in the more stable and comfortable aft portion of the boat. We offer a reduced rate for children ages 12 and under.

We are approximately 20 miles south of Santa Cruz, 20 miles north of Monterey, 40 miles south of San Jose and 90 miles south of San Francisco. Access is very easy from the north or south on Highway 1. We ask that you give yourself some extra driving time on weekends, as traffic can be quite heavy in this area.

We operate the Sanctuary whale watch vessel and also the Celtic Traveler sailing ketch. Sanctuary has a comfortable cabin with upholstered seating, outside seating both covered and uncovered. She is a favorite with folks who like a more intimate setting and to be closer to the water for amazing experiences, such as when dolphins dance on her bow. This is where being close to the water makes such a difference. Sanctuary is a Coast Guard certified, 39 passengers plus crew vessel, but we limit passengers to about 85% of her capacity to provide an even better experience. She is a 43-foot Delta Marine twin-engine and runs pure bio-diesel. And she’s especially fuel efficient! Our luxury 48-foot sailing ketch offers small group (up to six passengers) charters both for whale watching and sailing.

We have a snack bar on board Sanctuary with coffee, teas, cocoa, soups, chips, cookies, candy bars, granola bars, water, ginger ale, sodas. Snacks cost $2 each.

Yes, you are allowed to bring any food or drinks that you would like to enjoy during the cruise on board with you, except for alcoholic drinks. We ask that you do not bring coolers, however. Many guests have also enjoyed stopping to eat at the various fresh seafood restaurants at Moss Landing either before or after the cruise.

Monterey Bay is not really a protected body of water – it is more of a bight in the coast and is therefore exposed to the Pacific Ocean. It is normal, in these parts for the winds and seas to build into the afternoon, particularly in the spring and early summer. With this in mind, the calmest trips are our 8am two hour trips and our 10am-2pm four hour trips. On the 4 hour trips, we leave mid morning with the goal of returning as the afternoon winds build. We want you to have the best whale watching experience possible. There will be times, however, when a second trip will be scheduled for the afternoon. This could be scheduled well in advance to take advantage of the fine Autumn weather we often have, or can be a last minute decision based on a favorable weather pattern.

Dress warmly and in layers. A waterproof outer layer is helpful for those riding on the bow, but not absolutely necessary. Wear flat-soled shoes with good traction. A rimmed hat and polarized sunglasses are a good idea.

We do require advance notice to have proper staffing, so please call to inquire further 831-917-1042 for pre approval for your particular situation. We do our best to get all aboard, although the boat is not ADA certified. If you can be transferred and have an attendant to assist you, we can take non-motorized wheelchairs if the passenger is able to be transferred and under 200 pounds. There are three steps up and two steps down to get aboard the boat. We cannot take motorized wheelchairs aboard.

You are welcome to stow something if you need to but keep in mind that you are responsible for your own belongings and that storage space on board is limited.

Life jackets are required for children 12 years old and under at all times. We have infant and toddler sizes as well as child sizes. We have life jackets available for every person aboard the boat. It’s up to you whether you choose to wear one or not.

Yes! We run bio-diesel on the Sanctuary and the vessel is fuel efficient. Our owners are very environmentally aware with over 30 years of campaigning, educating and direct activism aimed at protecting our natural environment. When we find animals that have become entangled in discarded trash, we will try to help them out or call in folks who can. We are the only charter company on Monterey Bay that picks up trash which can both entangle or choke wildlife who come into contact with it. We also support many conservation organizations by providing free or reduced rates for fundraising efforts and volunteers.

Our crew strive to give you the absolute best whale watching experience on the west coast and are genuinely committed to your safety and well-being during your trip with us (check out our great reviews!). A good portion of their income comes from the gratuities they receive from our generous guests. Although it is not required, it sure makes their day to see that their efforts have been appreciated.

Yes! Our charters are extraordinary because we are excellent hosts; we’ll do whatever it takes to make your event shine. Please call the office at 831-917-1042 or email crew@sanctuarycruises.com to inquire further.

Docents from local marine education centers receive complimentary passage on a space available basis, or a 10% discount to pre book your trip. Keep up the good work!

No, we do not allow dogs.