City Cruises Boston Whale Watching Cruise by High-Speed Boat
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Set sail with us for the whale watch experience of a lifetime on the New England Aquarium Whale Watch Cruise. Our destination: Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding ground for whales, dolphins, sea birds, and other marine creatures. Stellwagen is home to many species of large whales, including humpbacks, finbacks, and minkes.
New England Aquarium naturalists will share knowledge, answer your questions, and explain the fascinating behaviors of these truly magnificent mammals on the sea life cruise experience.
The location of the whales may require more travel time, extending the trip beyond three hours. Please allow for additional time in your schedule. The average trip is between 3 to 4 hours.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Remember sunscreen and sunglasses
Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure. Guests must arrive early, as late arrivals will miss the boat.
Bring a light sweater or jacket, as well as sunscreen and sunglasses.
Not recommended for guests prone to motion sickness
What To Expect
Each Boston Whale Watching Cruise is narrated and guided by a naturalist from the New England Aquarium. One of the whales you're likely to spot during a Boston Whale Watching Cruise is the humpback. These Northern hemisphere humpbacks reach an average length of 50 feet, and a weight of about 37 tons! With the data collected on each cruise, the NEAQ is able to further their understanding of whales and their world. And, their presence on board ensures that your whale watch will be an exciting and educational trip! The catamarans feature outside decks for optimum viewing capability. Inside you will find climate controlled cabin space with cushioned seating, tables, state-of-the-art audio-visual, and a galley offering snacks and beverages for purchase.
Options
Whale Watching Cruise
What‘s Included
Restroom (on board)
Visit Stellwagen Bank Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding ground for whales other marine creatures
Whale Watch Cruise aboard Catamaran
Air-conditioned vehicle
See a variety of whales, including Humpbacks, Finbacks, and Minkes.
Narrated by a New England Aquarium Naturalist as your Guide
Food and drinks (available to purchase on board)
Optional.
Sea sickness medication (for guests prone to motion sickness)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
3,182 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Spectacular Day with the Humpback Whales!
Linda C,Jun 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Whale watching was spectacular! There were several people around to share their knowledge of whales and other sea life during the tour. We also had 'Humpback Whale Soup' because there were so many whales splashing around, 3 of which were Paileo, A+, and her baby. Paileo was most active. The 'Speaker' would let us know where the whales were at all times, talk about each of the whales, and their behaviors. The 'Captain' turned the boat so all enjoyed the whales.
Excellent Walking Tour: "Slavery and Abolution in Massachusets"
chill1000,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Yesterday, a friend and I went on a Boston by Foot walking tour " Slavery and Abolition in Massachusetts." It was excellent. The tour guide was Liam and was extremely knowledgeable about American history. There were 18 people on the tour from age 10 to senior citizens. He had to speak very loudly as there were lots of visitors to Boston given that it was Juneteenth holiday and FIFA Soccer fans were all over the place. I learned a lot and absolutely recommend this tour.
Awesome trip. The...
Bridgett A,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome trip. The naturalists were very knowledgeable and we saw lots of whales. The boat was clean and the staff friendly. We will definitely do this again.
whale watching cruise
930laraineh,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our whale watching cruise with Boston Harbor City Cruises was absolutely amazing from start to finish. Boarding was prompt and well organized, and the staff throughout the trip were knowledgeable, friendly, and always willing to help. The boat was very spacious and never felt overcrowded, which made the experience even more enjoyable. The highlight, of course, was the whales. We were fortunate enough to see more than 20 whales, including several spectacular breaches and even mothers swimming with their calves. It was truly an unforgettable experience and exceeded all of our expectations. Another thing we appreciated was that the tour actually ran slightly longer than scheduled. Because there were so many whales in the area, the crew allowed us extra time to enjoy the sightings rather than cutting the trip short. That extra effort was greatly appreciated. Food available for purchase on board was also delicious and reasonably convenient. This was an incredible experience and one of the highlights of our trip. I highly recommend Boston Harbor City Cruises for whale watching and can't wait to do it again!
Great experts on the boat...
Mary M,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experts on the boat and we saw a lot of whales. The boat was large and despite the weather it felt really safe. It was amazing to see the whales in the sea. A must do activity if visiting Boston
Awesome Trip!!
Trail561245,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome experience!!! We saw so many whales! I was hoping to see one or two. The crew was so knowledgeable and helpful.
A dream come true
Nadja L,Jun 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a beautiful sunny day and we could see many whales, very competent and knowledgeable guide to accompany this amazing experience.
Solo Trip
Jennifer N,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Thomas provided an outstanding experience. He was extremely informative and knowledgeable about the area’s history and local wildlife, sharing fascinating details throughout the tour. His passion and expertise were evident, and he presented the information in a way that was both engaging and easy to understand. On top of that, Thomas was very entertaining, making the entire experience enjoyable and memorable. I highly recommend him to anyone looking for an educational and fun experience. - wear a jacket -bring bottled water -make sure you’re there extra early if you wanna have a seat or a comfortable shoes -it’s about an hour and 15 minutes out until you see the whales, but very informative on the different islands and as a habitat -my trip was a solo trip and I still enjoyed myself
Great time at sea
10oweni,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Thomas was an excellent guide and helped us to spot 21-25 humpback whales. It was truly incredible. His knowledge was excellent and was always up to chat with anyone and answer any questions, the same goes for the rest of the crew!
It was great but step...
Angela M,Jun 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00It was great but step stools or step boxes would be great for short people to see. It was unfortunate that sight was adhered b/c others are so unaware of their surroundings.
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