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Boston Whale Watching Cruise by New England Aquarium

Guests observing whales from a boat on England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise
England Aquarium Whale Watching Cruise with guides observing whales in the ocean.
Humpback whale breaching in the ocean near Reykjavik, Iceland.
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

Instant confirmation

Mobile ticket

4.4/5

(74)

Nicholas David Buchanan

Nicholas

Jun 2025
Verified booking
Easy ticketing experience with Headout who we used throughout our USA trip. This was a late booking as the 103deg temperature caused us to switch from our intended walking visit to historic Boston Back Bay. The trip was sensational. Knowledgeable staff, friendly banter and an excellent catamaran. Plenty of whale sightings supported by helpful crew narrative Two suggestions; queining in the 103deg heat was difficult. Having a sun-cover that can be stretched along the walkway would be a help. Also, despite our best attempts we both failed to capture pics and videos that matched what we saw. If Boston Tickets had a crew member skilled in the task I am sure there would be a demand to download the results of each sailing at a fee
Rebecca Pyle

Rebecca

Jul 2025
Verified booking
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.
Denise Dengler

Denise

Jul 2025
Verified booking
Online ticketing was very easy. I loved that the Whale Watching Cruise was just steps away from the aquarium. That was so convenient. The onboard naturalist was so knowledgeable and interesting. That in itself made the entire trip so enjoyable and we saw multiple whales. The ride was comfortable with nice ammenities of food/drink available. Highly recommend to everyone!
    • 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?

    4.4
    74 ratings
    5/5
    57
    4/5
    5
    3/5
    4
    2/5
    2
    1/5
    6
    • Spain
    • Canada
    • Switzerland
    • Netherlands
    • Ireland
    • Brazil
    • Austria
    • United Kingdom
    • United Arab Emirates
    • Germany
    Guests from Spain, Canada, Switzerland and over 11 countries have loved this experience

    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!
    Nicholas David Buchanan

    Nicholas

    Jun, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Easy ticketing experience with Headout who we used throughout our USA trip. This was a late booking as the 103deg temperature caused us to switch from our intended walking visit to historic Boston Back Bay. The trip was sensational. Knowledgeable staff, friendly banter and an excellent catamaran. Plenty of whale sightings supported by helpful crew narrative Two suggestions; queining in the 103deg heat was difficult. Having a sun-cover that can be stretched along the walkway would be a help. Also, despite our best attempts we both failed to capture pics and videos that matched what we saw. If Boston Tickets had a crew member skilled in the task I am sure there would be a demand to download the results of each sailing at a fee
    Eileen Hammond

    Eileen

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    Easy to purchase. Just show qr code to get in!
    Kannan Perumal

    Kannan

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    5/5
    It's nice experience. Nice place for Kids.
    Deborah Cato

    Deborah

    Jul, 2025Verified booking

    3/5
    The trip through Boston Harbor was nice. The whale ( yup, one) was 40 miles away off the coast of Provincetown. That can't be helped. But the boat was very crowded and the only things offered for sale in the galley were alcohol, sodas, with very little food, one chicken salad sandwich. No clam chowder, no sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza - nothing. Save your money and go to another whale watching company.
  • 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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