Aquariums

Long Beach Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour

4.7/5(45)

Mary B

Solo

Verified booking

Sep 2026

It was a fantastic experience. It was both educational and just a fabulous way to spend the late afternoon. I went on the 3:00pm outing, because of tropical storm Marie, there was some wind and definitely ocean movement but it added to the day. The naturalist , I think was Joshua, my apologies if I am mistaken, was so good. He began by saying there is a degree of luck but would do their best and boy was luck and diligence on side. We saw 5 different whales and most remarkable was a mom with her calf and the fact that sone would display their fluke ls when diving and display blasts of spouting . A super day. I will say as you return and information about the harbor and buildings is shared, the sound of the motors as you re enter the harbor makes it very difficult to hear about the Long Beach harbor and its historical buildings but that is no one's fault, it just is what occurs as you slow down and re enter the harbor, the engine sounds make itbhars to hear . I am a bit of a nerd and enjoy all the information shared ☺️ but it is was a simply wonderful day! Thanks!!! Will go again for sure. So sorry got my dog photo in the uploaded photos and can't get it deleted!

Sheila M

Group

Verified booking

Sep 2026

Great Weather! and lots of dolpins. While we didn't find any whales on this trip there were lots of dolphins to see and a great afternoon on the water. Felt safe and information on our Long Beach Whale Watching and Dolphin Habour Breeze Tour!

Yohana L

Group

Verified booking

Sep 2026

The app is amazing! I found the perfect deal at exactly the right moment when I needed it. It was easy to find what I was looking for, select it, and make the payment. Such a simple and convenient experience!

Randall R

Family

Verified booking

Sep 2026

I brought coworkers from Michigan.We did not see any whales, but we saw several pods of dolphin and stayed with them for quite a while. It was amazing!

Madeline G

Solo

Verified booking

Sep 2026

It was a great fast boat. The staff were great and professional. The bar was well run. I liked the location that the boat went to. We did see 2 humpbacks. There was somewhat a lot of space. Unfortunately, everyone thinks there's assignment seating. Once you put your bag down -that's your seat. I felt uncomfortable sitting with other patrons and families. And ended up standing in a corner to give myself personal space. One family, let there child run around the boat like a maniac. The child had a lot of energy. I know this is supposed to be family oriented. But some people were not aware that there were other people.

Ornella B

Couple

Verified booking

Aug 2026

I had such a great experience on the Long Beach Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour! The staff was friendly and welcoming, everything was well organized, and being out on the water was beautiful and relaxing. Seeing the whale made the experience even more special. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Long Beach!

Embark on a 2.5-hour cruise led by a marine naturalist from Aquarium of the Pacific, with expert commentary as you search for whales and dolphins, amid sweeping ocean views.

Spot migrating whales and playful dolphins in the wild; each tour offers a unique chance to capture rare and unforgettable marine moments.

Learn fascinating, science-based facts about marine life from your guide, adding depth and insight to every sighting.

Perfect for all ages, the tour offers comfy seating, open viewing decks, and a fresh adventure every time you go.

2.5-hour cruise in Long Beach

Whale, dolphins, and marine life spotting

Naturalist from Aquarium of the Pacific

Live narration in English

Ultra-quiet, low-emission engines for undisturbed whale watching

Food and drinks (available for purchase)

Tips

Parking

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

45 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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What our guests say
Steve L
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
We had a very nice cruise. We saw hundreds of dolphins. Great time
Mary B
Solo
Verified booking
Sep 2026
It was a fantastic experience. It was both educational and just a fabulous way to spend the late afternoon. I went on the 3:00pm outing, because of tropical storm Marie, there was some wind and definitely ocean movement but it added to the day. The naturalist , I think was Joshua, my apologies if I am mistaken, was so good. He began by saying there is a degree of luck but would do their best and boy was luck and diligence on side. We saw 5 different whales and most remarkable was a mom with her calf and the fact that sone would display their fluke ls when diving and display blasts of spouting . A super day. I will say as you return and information about the harbor and buildings is shared, the sound of the motors as you re enter the harbor makes it very difficult to hear about the Long Beach harbor and its historical buildings but that is no one's fault, it just is what occurs as you slow down and re enter the harbor, the engine sounds make itbhars to hear . I am a bit of a nerd and enjoy all the information shared ☺️ but it is was a simply wonderful day! Thanks!!! Will go again for sure. So sorry got my dog photo in the uploaded photos and can't get it deleted!
Madeline G
Solo
Verified booking
Sep 2026
It was a great fast boat. The staff were great and professional. The bar was well run. I liked the location that the boat went to. We did see 2 humpbacks. There was somewhat a lot of space. Unfortunately, everyone thinks there's assignment seating. Once you put your bag down -that's your seat. I felt uncomfortable sitting with other patrons and families. And ended up standing in a corner to give myself personal space. One family, let there child run around the boat like a maniac. The child had a lot of energy. I know this is supposed to be family oriented. But some people were not aware that there were other people.
Sheila M
Group
Verified booking
Sep 2026
Great Weather! and lots of dolpins. While we didn't find any whales on this trip there were lots of dolphins to see and a great afternoon on the water. Felt safe and information on our Long Beach Whale Watching and Dolphin Habour Breeze Tour!
Yohana L
Group
Verified booking
Sep 2026
The app is amazing! I found the perfect deal at exactly the right moment when I needed it. It was easy to find what I was looking for, select it, and make the payment. Such a simple and convenient experience!

Spot whales and dolphins with a naturalist guide on this 2.5-hour Long Beach boat tour.

Getting started:

Arrive at the designated meeting point in Long Beach, where your ticket will be validated before boarding. Meet your English-speaking naturalist guide, who will provide a brief introduction and outline the tour’s highlights.

What to expect:

Long Beach Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour

This guided cruise offers a close look at the marine biodiversity off the California coast, led by an expert naturalist. The tour is designed to maximize your chances of seeing whales, dolphins, and other ocean wildlife in their natural habitat.

Features:

Whale sightings: Observe migrating whales as they surface and dive, with your guide sharing insights into their behavior and migration patterns.

Dolphin encounters: Watch playful pods of dolphins swimming alongside the boat, a highlight for many guests.

Naturalist commentary: Learn about local marine life and ocean ecology from your knowledgeable guide, enhancing your understanding of the Pacific ecosystem.

Eco-friendly cruising: Powered by ultra-quiet, low-emission engines, the vessels allow whales and their marine habitat to remain safe and undisturbed.

What to bring

Wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for a boat deck.

Carry a government-issued photo ID that matches your reservation name in case staff need to confirm identity.

What’s not allowed

Only certified service animals are permitted aboard; other pets are not allowed.

Alcohol, illegal drugs, and boarding while intoxicated are strictly prohibited.

Bulky luggage or oversized suitcases cannot be brought on the vessel for safety and storage reasons.

Accessibility

The vessels are wheelchair accessible.

Additional information:

Check your confirmation for the exact meeting point.

Tours run in most sea conditions; dress in layers for wind and spray.

Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.

Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before departure to allow time for check-in and boarding.

The excursion lasts roughly 2.5 hours and includes live English-language commentary from the naturalist guide.

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.