Sightseeing Cruises

Boston Whale Watching Cruise by New England Aquarium

4.8/5(370)

Karen F

Group

Verified booking

2 days ago

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.

Mary O

Couple

Verified booking

2 days ago

The staff was so knowledgeable and friendly about sharing information and answering questions to us as first time guests. We were fortunate to see many whales and it was an incredible opportunity and experience. We would highly recommend this trip to anyone who has never been on a whale watching cruise before.

Pam Z

Couple

Verified booking

3 days ago

Excellent naturalist guiding the Whale Watch. I believe it was Andrew. Smooth sailing on rough waters. Attentive crew to multiple people who didn't feel well. On time departure and arrival back on shore. Thank you!

Christine K

Couple

Verified booking

3 days ago

The crew was friendly and efficient and the captain was very attentive at informing passengers of changes. She didn't hesitate to move around to see better sighting. Very nice experience Christine

Gary B

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

When i got to the aquarium area for our trip with my autistic son they told me my 12 noon on august 21 was cancelled ,it,s a good thing i went to the aquarium area early ,one of the nice young woman that work for the cruises took me to the ticket booth they told me i was getting my money refunded,and if i had $152.OO THEY can put me on the 11am whalewatch i was so happy i didn,t have to go back to Auburn Ma on the train ,They also gave my son a senior ticket even though he,s 27,The Boatride was Kind of rough ,I tried going ouside the front it was to windy,I always loved Boston harbor We did see some whales<I took my son to quincy market after the ride,They took our photo when we were in line my son was ready to pay but no one knows who took the photo,they only other cruise i wouldn,t mind going is provincetown,Thank you again Gary Burnett.I have no photos sorry.

Courtney D

Family

Verified booking

Aug 2026

Exceptional experience! The guides and crew were knowledgeable, engaging, and made us feel like we were in the best hands from start to finish. We lucked out with incredible conditions, multiple whale sightings, and plenty of other marine life along the way. An unforgettable experience and one we’d absolutely recommend. The New England Aquarium Whale Watching tour is the way to go!

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.

370 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, Canada, Italy and over 23 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Andrea A
Solo
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
It was an amazing experience! It was so easy to find and purchase tickets online. The experience is truly unique and perfect for enjoying with your family, especially with your kids.
Yehoshua P
Couple
Verified booking
Aug 2026
The whales! Lol. Also the staff was very knowledgable and polite. They answered questions and proactively checked in on everyone to make sure we were all doing well.
Thelma E
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
We were very pleased to see a mama humpback and her calf! It was an amazing time and we saw 2 full breaches! Incredible!!!!
Gary B
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
When i got to the aquarium area for our trip with my autistic son they told me my 12 noon on august 21 was cancelled ,it,s a good thing i went to the aquarium area early ,one of the nice young woman that work for the cruises took me to the ticket booth they told me i was getting my money refunded,and if i had $152.OO THEY can put me on the 11am whalewatch i was so happy i didn,t have to go back to Auburn Ma on the train ,They also gave my son a senior ticket even though he,s 27,The Boatride was Kind of rough ,I tried going ouside the front it was to windy,I always loved Boston harbor We did see some whales<I took my son to quincy market after the ride,They took our photo when we were in line my son was ready to pay but no one knows who took the photo,they only other cruise i wouldn,t mind going is provincetown,Thank you again Gary Burnett.I have no photos sorry.
Karen F
Group
Verified booking
2 days ago
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.

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 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