Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
View many varieties of whales which include the giant blue whale which is over 90 feet in length, humpback whales, gray whales, finback whales whales, several types of dolphin, seals, and other neat marine life. Just outside of Newport Bay is the beginning of one of the largest marine protected areas in southern California created to protect this rich ecosystem for future generations. The protected marine sanctuary covers over 15 miles and provides a haven for all marine creatures including whales and dolphin. With such amazing habitat for mammals so close to Newport Bay, whale watching cruises of 2-2.5 hours is all that is needed for viewing these giants. Newport Landing offers multiple whale watching cruises daily and with a 96% success rate viewing whales and/or dolphins, almost every trip will have viewing opportunities.
*New is a brand new double decker whale watching catamaran with bow seating, upper and lower deck 360 views, and much more.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum drinking age is 21 years
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
A maximum of 20 people per booking
What To Expect
Select from several whale watching cruise times daily and year-round. Our whale watching & dolphin cruises view giant blue whales, finback whales, gray whales, humpback whales, minke whales, several species of dolphin and more.
Options
9am Departure
Tour departs at 9am
2:30pm Departure
Tour departs at 2:30pm
12pm Departure
12:00pm Departure: Tour departs at 12:00pm
Mid Day Departures
Mid Day Departure: Tour departs at 1:00pm or 12pm
What‘s Included
Landing and facility fees
Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Food and drinks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
225 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Whale watching
Iris T,Jun 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a great experience! We were so lucky to see 4 humpback whales and a lot of dolphins!! Best day ever!
It was the best experience. Staff was nice and friendly. Great group of staff.
Tara H,Jun 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was way better then whale watching in Oeegon. From now on, I will bring g my family to California for that
Great ocean day
Karen L,Jun 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Make sure you have a hat and sunscreen. Be prepared for mostly dolphin sightings as mist enjoy the beautiful ocean!
Very good, crew was very...
Ani T,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very good, crew was very helpful in rescheduling our departure time when we needed too. The boat ride itself was good but half hour short
A family gathering
Tom T,May 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Siting Up front get sprayed, is fun but will need a towel or some cover inorder to stay dry. No Whales seen
Enjoyable day!
Patti M,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Enjoy what you see, rather than lament what you don’t see. We saw many, many dolphins having fun with us. Also saw a Mola Mola, or Ocean Sunfish. I do wish, however, that we could have heard the captain/guide better on the topside speakers. What I did hear was informative and interesting.
An amazing experience!
Nicole L,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such a lovely experience! The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, and they made sure to explain every step so we always knew what was happening. Even though my kids and I didn’t quite know what to expect at first, it turned out to be an amazing and memorable experience. We felt safe the entire time, and the crew did a fantastic job sharing interesting facts about the sea life we encountered. I would highly recommend this experience to anyone.
It was great the captain...
Nicolas G,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was great the captain gave us knowledge and gave us a heads up so we wouldn’t miss the dolphins or whales
No sightings
Stina562024,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Was uneventful. We didn’t see any whales or dolphins.
Mystery of Whales
jinny,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a new experience. My daughter was so happy. Gazing upon the vast ocean—and the whales and their families swimming together within it, exuding a vibrant vitality—made me reflect upon the nature of human existence.
Related Experiences
Operated by Newport Landing Whale Watching