Monterey Bay has whales offshore in every season, and you do not have to travel far to see them. From Cannery Row Inn, the whale-watching boats at Old Fisherman's Wharf are a mile away.
Why Monterey Bay?
The Monterey Submarine Canyon, one of the deepest underwater canyons on the coast, runs into the middle of the bay. Cold, nutrient-rich water rises from the canyon and feeds the krill and small fish that whales come for, so they often feed close to shore.
What you may see, season by season
- Winter into spring: gray whales pass the Peninsula on their long migration between Alaska and Mexico.
- Spring through fall: humpback whales feed in the bay, often lunging and breaching close to the boats.
- Year-round: dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, and seabirds. Some days bring orcas or blue whales, but no one can promise them.
Whalefest Monterey: April 10 and 11, 2027
Whalefest is a free weekend on Old Fisherman's Wharf, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, with exhibits, talks, and activities for kids during the spring whale season. Details at whalefest.org (https://whalefest.org/).
Tips for your trip
- Book with a licensed operator at the wharf and ask what has been sighted recently.
- Morning trips are often calmer. Take seasickness precautions before you board.
- Dress in layers, with a hat and a windproof jacket.
- No boat? Watch the water from the Coastal Recreation Trail or Lovers Point. Spouts are sometimes visible from shore.
Staying at Cannery Row Inn
Cannery Row Inn is a short walk from historic Cannery Row and walkable to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and Fisherman's Wharf. Choose a room with a fireplace or a bay-view balcony to warm up after a morning on the water. Book direct at canneryrowinn.com.
Photo: Humpback whales in Monterey Bay by Cynthia Yock, via Wikimedia Commons. Original photograph and this image adaptation licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized; website renditions may be cropped and converted to WebP for display. This license applies only to the photograph.
