Cape Cod is a premier location in the U.S. to whale watch. Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary is a protected area that stretches from Cape Ann to Cape Cod. Even the local cruises guarantee a 99% whale-spotting success rate.
Whale-watching season in the Boston area runs from April to October with the summer months offering more scheduled outings. Early or late in the season schedule times for excursions are more limited with just one or two trips a day.
Whales are generally most active in the morning and late afternoon, making these the best times to spot them. During the morning, whales tend to be more active as they start their day and may feed. As the day progresses and the sun sets, whales become more active as they prepare to rest for the night.
Spotting a whale in its natural habitat is an unforgettable experience; you may even get lucky and see breaching whales or other fun behaviors. When you're not whale-watching, tour Boston on foot, or take one of our other sightseeing tours around the harbor to further discover this exciting city.
Depending on the season, the weather could be cold and breezy when you are out on the ocean. In the summer months, bring a jacket, sweater, or hoodie.In April through November, you will likely want a winter coat, a hat (that won't blow off!), and gloves.
You'll watch the whales splash in the water, see pods of dolphins playing nearby, and observe many species of sea birds and other marine life. You'll quickly understand why cruise passengers sometimes call this the experience of a lifetime.
Time: Approximately 2.5 – 3 hours. Usually a whale watching tour takes anywhere between 2.5 to 3 hours in order to navigate the ocean in search of different whale species.