Whale watching on Monterey Bay is a year-round adventure — now on a high-speed RHIB.
Get up close and personal with Monterey Bay's incredible marine wildlife aboard Ocean Spirit, our high-speed Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB). Limited to just 6 passengers, this intimate 2.5-hour adventure puts you eye-level with whales, dolphins, sea otters, and more. The RHIB's low profile and nimble handling give you angles on the wildlife that simply aren't possible from a larger vessel. Ocean Spirit can move quickly to cover more ground, meaning more wildlife encounters in less time. Whether it's a humpback lunging at the surface or a pod of dolphins racing alongside the bow, every moment aboard Ocean Spirit is up close and personal.
What to Bring
- Warm clothes/layers (it is windier on an open RHIB)
- Waterproof or water-resistant outer layer
- Hiking or tennis shoes (no heels or flip-flops)
- Hat with chin strap or secure fit
- Polarized sunglasses with cord
- Sunscreen
- Camera with telephoto lens
- Binoculars (optional, good for birders)
- Drinks & snacks (no onboard snack bar on RHIB)
What you'll see, season by season
- Year Round: Humpback Whales, Orcas, Dolphins, and Sunfish
- Spring: Gray Whales, Albatross, and the occasional Blue Whale & Fin Whale
- Summer: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Great White Sharks, Albatross, and Sea Turtles
- Fall: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, and Sea Turtles
- Winter: Gray Whales
Other wildlife highlights include pulsating jellies, foraging sea otters, playful California sea lions, harbor seals, local and migratory birds and a lot more. We also sometimes see the rarities such as beaked whales, minke whales, sperm whales, other species of sharks, and so much more!
