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Whale watching from Los Angeles

The best Long Beach whale watching trips

Long Beach, San Pedro and Newport Beach cruises for gray whales, blue whales and dolphins: here are eight trips compared, with honest advice on what happens if you see no whales, value for money, and booking and cancellation.

By the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team 8 tours compared Prices checked 22 October 2026

See our 8 picks
The tail of a whale rising above the ocean at dusk

Short answer The best Long Beach whale watching trip is the 2.5-hour whale and dolphin cruise from €43. It has 1,049 reviews at 4.5, and educators from the Aquarium of the Pacific come on board. If you see no sea life, you get a free voucher for another trip. Gray whales pass in winter and blue whales come in summer.

Our 8 picks for whale watching near LA

Two big catamaran cruises from Long Beach and San Pedro, five trips from Newport Beach, and one small-boat trip in Los Angeles. All run about two hours or more.

Whale watching trips compared

Whale watching trips compared
Tour From Duration Group size Pickup Free cancellation Who it suits Why we picked it
Long Beach whale and dolphin cruise 4.5 (1,049) €43
per person		 2.5 hours Not stated Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Families and first-timers The most-reviewed Long Beach trip, rated 4.5 from 1,049 reviews, with a free return trip if you see no sea life.
Newport Beach 2-hour whale watching 4.3 (1,520) €33
per person		 2 hours Not stated Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Budget visitors and Disneyland stays The cheapest whale trip here and the most reviewed: 4.3 from 1,520 reviews.
Newport Beach whale and dolphin cruise 4.3 (472) €33
per person		 2 hours Not stated Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Anyone wary of rough water Same low price as the Newport pick above, rated 4.3 from 472 reviews.
Ultimate whale watching in a small group 4.9 (329) €75
per person		 2 hours Standard group: Up to 15 people Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Wildlife fans who want to get closer The best-rated Newport trip with many reviews: 4.9 from 329.
Luxury catamaran whale watching in Newport Beach 4.2 (205) €66
per person		 2 hours Not stated Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Couples who want space on deck More room and a naturalist on board, rated 4.2 from 205 reviews.
San Pedro whale and dolphin cruise 4.2 (46) €43
per person		 2 - 5 hours Not stated Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Visitors staying near San Pedro The same operator and guarantee as our top pick, rated 4.2 from 46 reviews.
Zodiac whale and dolphin tour in Newport Beach 5.0 (18) €68
per person		 2 hours Standard group: Up to 24 people Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Thrill seekers who want to be close to the water Rated 5.0 from 18 reviews, with sightings guaranteed on the booking page.
Small-boat dolphin and whale trip in Los Angeles 0 €195
per person		 2 hours Small group: Up to 6 people Meet on site Yes, up to 24 hours in advance Small private-feeling groups The only trip here for 6 people or fewer, but new on GetYourGuide with no reviews yet and the highest price.

Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.

Whale watching season in Los Angeles

Whale watching near Los Angeles runs all year. In winter and early spring, gray whales pass the coast on their migration, roughly from December to April. In summer and autumn, blue whales come to feed. Dolphins are part of the trips in both seasons.

The Long Beach operator runs daily trips all year, with a winter gray whale season and a summer blue whale season. Exact months vary from year to year, so read the latest sightings before you book.

Long Beach whale watching: harbor cruises with the Aquarium

Long Beach is the easiest whale-watching base for most LA visitors. The cruise leaves from the docks at Aquarium Way, next to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Educators from the Aquarium join the trips.

The boats are large catamarans with indoor seats, toilets and big windows. That makes them a good choice for families, older visitors and anyone who worries about seasickness. Parking validation is included.

Newport Beach whale watching tours

Newport Beach has the most whale-watching trips in our list. Five of the eight picks leave from there, from Palm Street and Main Street near the harbor.

You can choose a big standard boat from €33, a catamaran, a small-group boat or a fast Zodiac. Newport Beach is in Orange County, south of LA. One operator says it is just minutes from the Disneyland Resort.

Newport Beach Landing whale watching

Newport Landing runs three of our picks: the standard cruise, the small-group trip and the luxury catamaran. They leave from Palm Street or Main Street by the harbor.

Whale and dolphin watching in Newport Beach

Every Newport pick looks for dolphins as well as whales. The catamaran trip even names dolphins riding at the front of the boat as a highlight.

Whale tours from Los Angeles: big boat, catamaran or Zodiac

Pick a big catamaran if comfort matters most. Pick a small-group boat or a Zodiac if you want to get closer and don't mind spray.

Big boats are steadier and have toilets and shade. Small boats move faster and sit lower, so you are nearer the water. The Zodiac trip has a stabilizer that cuts the side-to-side roll.

Whale watching in the Los Angeles area as a day trip

A whale-watching cruise makes a good half-day outing. It is one of our fun los angeles day trips, alongside the beaches and theme parks.

In Long Beach, you can add the Aquarium of the Pacific or the Queen Mary on the same day. In Newport Beach, add a walk on the beach or Balboa Island.

Tips for whale watching near LA

  1. Ask about the sea life guarantee

    The Long Beach and San Pedro cruises give you a free voucher for another trip if you see no sea life.

  2. Bring a jacket

    It is cooler and windier out at sea than on the beach, even in summer.

  3. Plan for seasickness

    If you get seasick, choose a big catamaran and sit low and in the middle.

  4. Know your dock

    Some trips leave from more than one harbor. Your booking page shows where to go.

  5. Bring binoculars

    Whales often surface some way from the boat. A small pair of binoculars helps.

  6. Check cancellation

    Most picks show free cancellation on their booking page; check the exact cut-off there.

Questions people ask

When is whale watching season in newport beach?

All year. Gray whales pass roughly from December to April, and blue whales come in the summer and autumn. Dolphins are seen year-round.

What is the best time of year to go whale watching in Long Beach?

Winter for gray whales and summer for blue whales. Trips run daily all year, so pick the season for the whale you want to see.

Can you see whales in Long Beach?

Yes. Whale-watching cruises leave Long Beach every day. If you see no sea life on the top-pick cruise, you get a voucher to try again.

How much is whale watching on Long Beach?

The Long Beach whale and dolphin cruise costs from €43 per person on GetYourGuide. Newport Beach trips start from €33.

What are the best months for whale watching in California?

For Southern California, December to April is best for gray whales, and summer into autumn for blue whales. Dolphins are around all year.

Where is the best place in California to see whales?

Near Los Angeles, Long Beach and Newport Beach are the main bases, with daily trips all year. Long Beach is closer to central LA; Newport Beach has more choice of boats.

What is a sad fact about whales?

Ships are a big danger to them. NOAA says blue, fin, humpback and gray whales are the most at risk of being hit by ships on the West Coast, because they feed and travel near busy shipping lanes.

More whale watching trips with live availability

More options with live prices and availability, straight from GetYourGuide.

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More in Long Beach

Facts checked on 22 October 2026 against: Harbor Breeze Cruises: whale watching · Aquarium of the Pacific: gray whales migrating through Long Beach · NOAA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: whale conservation.

Written by the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team.