Aquariums

Long Beach Whale Watching and Dolphin Tour

4.6/5(27)

Ornella B

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

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!

Shontay P

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

It was a very wonderful trip. I enjoyed the commentator Matthews. I have a blast watching the dolphins swam around in the whales, flipping and flopping through the water. Great experience

Ricardo A

Couple

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

We didn't see any whales or dolphins but we had a great half day out at sea. The guide was very entertaining, the sea was calm and the ship was very clean. We had a great time.

Jesus R

Family

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Wifes birthday. Made her dream come true. We saw the dolphins. Which, was even more excited. Even, thou we where almost loosing hope of not seeing a while. At the last moment couple they popped out everywhere. Its like the whales where playing hide and seek. First time we did a cruise. And, it was worth the trip

Vicky J

Solo

Verified booking

Jul 2026

Great narration by the lady dr. We met at the aquarium the day before who clearly loves doing this! Staff on boat very polite and informative also. We saw soooooo many common dolphins! I have mostly videos so no uploading sorry! 😟

Alefiah B

Family

Verified booking

Jun 2026

We booked 2 experiences from Headout universal studios and whale watching at long beach, the app was easy to use and we got good responses each time thank you

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.

27 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
Ornella B
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
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!
Ricardo A
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
We didn't see any whales or dolphins but we had a great half day out at sea. The guide was very entertaining, the sea was calm and the ship was very clean. We had a great time.
Shontay P
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
It was a very wonderful trip. I enjoyed the commentator Matthews. I have a blast watching the dolphins swam around in the whales, flipping and flopping through the water. Great experience
Jeremy H
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
It was a nice ride. Even though we did not see any whales they kept us out 30 minutes longer trying.
Campoy S
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
Goals achieved: whales and dolphins Great job! Timeframe met—and even exceeded

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.