Sightseeing Cruises

New England Aquarium Whale Watching from Downtown Boston

4.8/5(411)

Chai S

Couple

Verified booking

Last week

The staff was kind/friendly and Thomas was a great naturalist/guide despite not being able to speak as much as he normally would. Allowing everyone to take in all of the activity from the multiple whale sightings.

Christiana W

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

First the weather was great. Having read your tips we brought the right clothing for when we were out on the waters. The excitement of seeing the whales with their calves was the best part. We were excited to see the whales and some dolphins were all around our boat. I was able to capture some great moments with my camera. I loved sharing what I captured on camera with the researchers who were logging the whales to identify them. And they shared with several of us how they can identify each whale by the markings on their tail. The whole experience was awesome. Finally I appreciated that the captain and crew always respected the whales and their environment, giving them their space. The researcher on board helped me to become more knowledgeable about whale life and their habits. I hope the photos that I submit will help identify the whales better. Thank you.

Karen F

Group

Verified booking

Sep 2026

Our cruise turned out to be a beautiful weather day. Our crew was pleasant and helpful giving us directions while boarding, while explaining what to expect on the journey out to Stellwagon Bank where if we were lucky would get to meet up with whales they had seen the day before. Once we arrived our naturalist/marine biologist explained the process the whales were going through to feed, while helping the environment reduce the carbon footprint that helps the earth stay healthy. The crew was able to name some of the humpback whales. We saw between 30-37 that day. Some were named Four, Mufskipper, Decimal, Dyad, Anvil and her calf. Some of the behaviors were witnessed were flunking dives, bubble clouds, subsurface feeding, as well as, 2 breaches by adult humpbacks and a calf rolling. A great trip with a very knowledgeable, pleasant crew.

Keith J

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

The Harbour Cruises Whale Watching tour is one of the best trips I have ever been on! They warned people very strongly that it was possibly going to be a rough trip and gave them the chance to get off and rearrange their trip. Even with a bumpy trip, we saw 3 whales all together, closer in than expected and they gave us a show to remember! The biologist on board was fantastic and her commentary was top notch. Simply.... DO THIS TOUR!

Carlene F

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

My husband and I went on the whale watch for our anniversary. It was an excellent experience. The captain and crew were all amazing. Sydney was the girl who went and talked about the whales on the tour. She was extremely knowledgeable and sweet. We saw about 8 different groups of whales. The boat ride was great, the food and drinks available were good and a variety. We will definitely do this again.

Suzanne W

Couple

Verified booking

Sep 2026

It was absolutely amazing! The crew and the marine scientist were very professional and extremely knowledgeable. We were so lucky, there were approximately 20 humpback whales in the area including 2 mums and their babies. Managed to get some beautiful photos and videos. It didn't disappoint! Lucky with the weather too although a little choppy once out of the harbour! Would definitely go again!

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 to 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 & beverages from the snack bar

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

411 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and over 22 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Karla M
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Although our scheduled tour had to be canceled, I really appreciate how efficiently their customer service handled the situation. The full refund was processed promptly, and they kindly offered a discount code for a future booking. Excellent support under the circumstances—I look forward to giving them another try!
Karen F
Couple
Verified booking
Sep 2026
Gorgeous weather day, saw a lot of whales, enem though there were a lot of passengers, ther was room for all to see the whales. Access to the vessel was easy,. Parking garage next door was helpful, as well as the ferry landing.
Chai S
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The staff was kind/friendly and Thomas was a great naturalist/guide despite not being able to speak as much as he normally would. Allowing everyone to take in all of the activity from the multiple whale sightings.
Laury W
Solo
Verified booking
Last week
Saw tons of whales and crew was amazing. Highlight of my trip
Matthew K
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Very well equipped boat and seen lots of 🐋

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 is strictly prohibited.

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 beverages are available for purchase onboard.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.