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Sightseeing Cruises

Boston Whale Watching Cruise by New England Aquarium

Guests enjoying a whale watching cruise on an England Aquarium tour.
Guides on England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise pointing at sea.
Humpback whale breaching in ocean waters.
Dolphins swimming in the ocean during England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise.

Duration

3 hr 30 min

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

4.3/5

(99)

Jason Jensen

Jason

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
It was honestly a bit more pricey than I was hoping, but to be fair I'd certainly say it was worth it. My only true complain was that it didn't last quite as long as posted nor did we go out as far as postsd, but we did see a few different whales and a juvenile one being a bit crazy with a couple jumps (and coming within 10 feet of the boat to say hi!). Super nice boat & crew, good variety of snacks/food/drinks - would 100% recommend and go again.
Robert Ottman

Robert

Aug 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I loved the experience. To start the trip, it was very easy to find the ship and know where to get in line. The guide spoke very clearly and was very knowledgeable! She did not over use the sound system. This helped make the trip very relaxing with the information necessary. We were able to see a shark, dolphins, whales, starfish and jellyfish all pointed out by the guide. I had an awesome time o. This experience!!
Rebecca Pyle

Rebecca

Jul 2025
Verified booking
4/5
A fun way to be on a boat! The staff were incredibly knowledgeable. We had a great trip, but we really just seemed to follow one whale around. I'm not sure if that's the norm and that sometimes you may not even see a whale, but it would've been nice to try to explore to see if there were other things to see. That's my only criticism, but otherwise it was amazing. We had some great views! Highly recommend.
    • Set sail on a 3 to 4-hour whale watching cruise, led by naturalists from the New England Aquarium—one of the world’s leading marine conservation and research institutions.

    • Spot varieties—humpback, fin, & minke whales and even dolphins, all in their natural habitats at Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary.

    • Step out onto the spacious outdoor viewing decks or sit comfortably inside, taking in panoramic views through large glass windows.

    • Ask the expert naturalists questions you may have about all that you see—marine life, their behaviours, and habitats.

    • 3-4 hour cruise

    • Knowledgeable naturalist from the New England Aquarium on board

    • Comfortable high-speed catamaran with outdoor observation decks

    • Climate-controlled cabin with large windows

    • Cushioned seats

    • State-of-the-art audio and video systems

    • Food & drinks from the snack bar
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • How do we collect reviews?

    4.3
    99 ratings
    5/5
    75
    4/5
    7
    3/5
    4
    2/5
    2
    1/5
    11
    • United Kingdom
    • Canada
    • Netherlands
    • Spain
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Germany
    • Switzerland
    • Ireland
    • Greece
    • Brazil
    Guests from United Kingdom, Canada, Netherlands and over 13 countries have loved this experience

    james f whitaker

    James

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    It was an awesome time out and about, was very knowledgeable and friendly staff, and a once in a lifetime experience. I think we spotted seven or eight whales, including one about 30 feet off of our starboard side! Once in a lifetime experience that I would highly recommend
    Elizabeth Differ

    Elizabeth

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    The Captain and the saff highly professional, fun, informative and took us on an incredible adventure. Will go back, as figured out to listen better to the clock times announced and sometimes, just took ot all in without the cell. Amaz8ng day.
    Jason Jensen

    Jason

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    It was honestly a bit more pricey than I was hoping, but to be fair I'd certainly say it was worth it. My only true complain was that it didn't last quite as long as posted nor did we go out as far as postsd, but we did see a few different whales and a juvenile one being a bit crazy with a couple jumps (and coming within 10 feet of the boat to say hi!). Super nice boat & crew, good variety of snacks/food/drinks - would 100% recommend and go again.
    Ken Nguyen

    Ken

    Aug, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Warm day in Boston, which meant the cooler ocean temperature was more tolerable for me! Those who prefer the warmth definitely would benefit from a jacket. Naturalist did a great job at explaining/educating the guests on what was happening. I forget her name ... began with a C? We were on the tour on Mon., 08/04/25, 11:00am departure. We saw SEVERAL breaches from one humpback, and you can tell even she was excited! It's always more enjoyable when the guide really seems to enjoy their job as well! We saw primarily 2 humpbacks, but the one (Pitcher??) was putting on quite the show for us with the multiple breaches and lots of flipper slapping. It was a great time! Also got to see some Atlantic white sided dolphins on the way back too!! Other staff on board were also very friendly .... servers in the galley, those around the vessel to answer questions. I understand that we were lucky to see what we saw; sometimes nature doesn't always put on a show. I definitely cherished the time and appreciate the experience! ~Ken (along with Dave and Sam, Pennsylvania)
    Dixie M Benca

    Dixie

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    We saw a Humpback whale surfacing several times from the moment we got to feeding ground until we left. At times very close to our vessel. My 6 year old, my husband, & I had a delightful day. Weather was great!
  • Getting started

    Meet your crew at the boarding point mentioned on your ticket. After a quick security scan, head to the high-speed catamaran. Departure is from One Long Wharf, located between the Long Wharf Marriott Hotel and the New England Aquarium.

    What to expect

    Enjoy the luxuries of the boat—spacious outdoor observation decks and climate-controlled indoor cabins furnished with big windows, cushioned seats, tables, state-of-the-art audio and video systems, and a snack counter where you can purchase snacks and drinks.

    Features

    Live guide: The tour is led by a naturalist from the New England Aquarium, who will answer all your (relevant) questions and help you better understand & appreciate the marine ecosystem.

    Boston harbor views: As you speed across the Massachusetts coastal waters, you can spot landmarks such as Castle Island and Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park before reaching your destination—Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary.

    Marine life: Spot a variety of whales such as humpback, fin, and minke whales; white-sided dolphins, and more. The sanctuary is a rich feeding ground for marine life.

  • What to bring

    • Visitors who are prone to motion sickness are advised to take medication before boarding the boat.

    What's not allowed

    • Smoking

    Accessibility

    • The cruise is wheelchair accessible.

    Additional Information

    • Infant tickets must be purchased onboard.

    • If you're prone to motion sickness, we recommend taking preventive medication before boarding to ensure a comfortable experience.

    • The cruise timings may vary due to the unpredictability of sightings, so be prepared to accommodate any delays.

    • Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

    • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the boarding point

    • Please arrive at the boarding point 30 mins before the scheduled time of your cruise to avoid any delays.

    Boarding point

    • Board your cruise at Boston Harbor City Cruises - Long Wharf.

    • Address: 1 Long Wharf, Boston, MA 02210.

    • Landmark: Located between the Long Wharf Marriott Hotel and the New England Aquarium.

    Get directions to the boarding point

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