FAQ

GPS to 100 Pacific Street Monterey Heritage Harbor Parking Garage
– Located conveniently on Scott and Pacific Street, 2 short blocks from the head of the Wharf. Hourly rate is $1 per half hour and $15/day. Take a ticket, (pay when you exit) Cash or credit card.
– Walk down Scott St 1 block, the street bends to the left and brings you to the beginning of Wharf #1 (Old Fisherman’s Wharf)
– There is a pink shop Harbor House Gifts at the entrance to our wharf, walk down that wharf in between all the shops and restaurants. Turn Right at the CRAB HOUSE Restaurant. We are in a red building our sign says MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH CENTER

Or GPS to 201 Washington street to reach the waterfront parking lot**
– The waterfront lot is a prepay lot with 2 prepay kiosks. You can also use the parkmobile app. The lot zone is #21031 using the parkmobile app.
– The waterfront lot. Rate is $1.50 per hour with a daily max of $10.00

Please prepay for your parking at one of the pay stations in the waterfront lot or use the parkmobile app.

Also, please insert your credit card magnetic stripe down into one of the pay stations to prepay for your parking fee. There is a button to push on every pay station to reach “help” for any questions you may have.
– Walk from the kiosk towards Wharf #1 with all the colorful shops & restaurants (there is a pink building at the beginning of our wharf).
– Walk down Fisherman’s Wharf, near the end turn right at CRAB HOUSE Restaurant & you will see our building with a large red sign on top that reads “MONTEREY BAY WHALE WATCH CENTER”.

We are owned and operated by Marine Biologists and collect opportunistic data on every single trip and share it with various nonprofit groups! We often extend our trips to see the best and most exciting wildlife. We focus on education, conservation, and research on all of our trips and love sharing our passion with the passengers!

Yes, all three of our boats have restrooms that can be used throughout the trip.

We follow the recommended guideline of staying around 100 yards away from the whales and do not alter their behavior in any way. Sometimes, the whales approach us and we put the boat in idle or shut down.

You don’t need binoculars to see the whales, but binoculars can be useful for seeing other wildlife such as seabirds.

Upper Deck:

• Easier to switch sides allowing you to quickly see things happening on both sides of the boat
• You can more easily see into the water as the reflection does not distort as much water
• Freedom to switch to the main or upper deck
• View of our data collection methods and captain

Main Deck:

• If we get any friendly whales or dolphins they will be located next to you on the main deck
• Preferred location for many photographers
  Closer access to the indoor cabin

No, no business on the wharf validates parking

The main wharf parking has RV parking

Yes, each of our boats have marine biologists that lead the tours.

4 hours in the Morning, 3 hours in the afternoon. We also have special all day 8 hour tours.

We offer rain checks that let you come back for free and never expire.

84 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, CA

• MOST IMPORTANT – take one seasickness pill the night before and 1 pill an hour before your trip the morning of (meclizine or dramamine), only for people 12 or older
• Ginger Candies
• Looking at the horizon level
• Staying outdoors

They NEVER expire!

30-45 minutes

Yes, we prefer if you pay for your ticket in advance

Yes, we allow food and drinks on board, including beer and wine. However, we do NOT allow any type of glass on board and no hard alcohol.

We have snacks, soda, and water on board

No

Yes, however we HIGHLY recommend you do not come on one of our trips if you are pregnant. We may be up to over an hour away from medical care, and there are higher risks on board for pregnant people, such as seasickness, possibility of falling, and other illnesses.

Yes! Well behaved and leashed dogs are welcome and free

• Military – $5 off each person
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Staff come for free
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Members 20% off each person
• $10 off coupons we give out at events

It’s around 55 degrees F with wind out on the water, you also need to be holding onto the boat so you will lose heat through your hands. Layers!!! It is easy to take layers off throughout the trip if you need to. We recommend cold weather gear, gloves, and a hat.

• Blackfin: 65ft Double wide catamaran with two floors, holds around 117 people
• Sea Wolf 2: 70ft single deck vessel, holds 65 people
• Pt. Sur Clipper: 55ft single deck vessel, holds 35 people

• 9am: usually the Blackfin
• 10am: Seawolf II or Pt. Sur Clipper
• 1:30pm: Depends on total number of people, usually Blackfin in summer
• 8am all day tour: Pt. Sur Clipper *Please note – this is highly subject to change*

General Guide

• If the trip has an upper deck: Blackfin
• If set for 65 people with no upper deck, Seawolf II
• If set for 35 people, Pt. Sur Clipper