Long Beach Whale Watching

Harbor Breeze Cruises’ Long Beach whale watching tours depart from Dock 2 at Rainbow Harbor, located to the left of the Aquarium of the Pacific at 100 Aquarium Way, Dock #2, Long Beach, CA 90802. Upon arrival, make sure to go to the ticket booth to get checked in for your cruise and receive your cruise tickets. 

The marina is easily accessible from the 405 and 710 freeways. We recommend parking at the Aquarium of the Pacific or Pike Outlet parking structures — bring your ticket to our ticket booth and we’ll validate your parking, reducing your rate from $16 to $8. For full directions, visit our directions page.

Most Long Beach whale watching tours with Harbor Breeze run approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This gives the crew enough time to reach open water, locate marine life, and spend meaningful time observing before returning to port.

Yes. Harbor Breeze offers both morning and afternoon departures from Long Beach. Morning tours are perfect for early risers who want to make the most of their day on the water — the crew is out first thing, covering more ground and maximizing time with marine life. Afternoon tours offer a relaxed pace with plenty of time to take in the scenery and sightings. Both departures deliver an incredible whale watching experience, and sighting rates are high throughout the day.

Most Long Beach whale watching tours with Harbor Breeze run approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This gives the crew enough time to reach open water, locate marine life, and spend meaningful time observing before returning to port.

Yes. Harbor Breeze offers both morning and afternoon departures from Long Beach. Morning tours are perfect for early risers who want to make the most of their day on the water — the crew is out first thing, covering more ground and maximizing time with marine life. Afternoon tours offer a relaxed pace with plenty of time to take in the scenery and sightings. Both departures deliver an incredible whale watching experience, and sighting rates are high throughout the day.

Yes, parking is available. We recommend parking at the Aquarium of the Pacific parking structure — Harbor Breeze validates parking, reducing your rate from $16 to $8. We suggest arriving at least 20–30 minutes before your scheduled departure to allow time for parking and boarding.

You can book your Long Beach whale watching tour directly on our website at 2seewhales.com, or call our team to make a reservation by phone. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak whale migration seasons when tours fill up quickly.

Long Beach sits in one of the most whale-rich waters on the Pacific Coast. Depending on the season, you may see Pacific Gray Whales, Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, and Orcas (Killer Whales). Dolphins are spotted year-round, including Common, Bottlenose, Risso’s, and Pacific White Sided dolphins.

Long Beach offers great whale watching year-round. Gray Whale season runs roughly December through April, as the whales migrate between Alaska and Baja California, Mexico. Blue Whale season is typically May through November—these are the largest animals on Earth and an unforgettable sight. Humpbacks, Fin Whales, and dolphins are sighted throughout the year.

Absolutely. Blue Whales are regularly spotted in the waters off Long Beach between May and November each year. These incredible animals average 150 tons in weight and can reach lengths of up to 100 feet—making them the largest animals to have ever lived on Earth. Spotting one is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that many of our guests describe as the highlight of their trip to Southern California.

Very common. Dolphins are spotted on the vast majority of Harbor Breeze cruises year-round. Common Dolphins, Bottlenose Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins, and Pacific White Sided Dolphins all frequent the waters off Long Beach. It’s not unusual to see hundreds of dolphins at once in a large “pod” moving alongside the boat.

While we cannot guarantee specific sightings—these are wild animals in their natural habitat—Harbor Breeze Cruises has nearly two decades of experience navigating the waters off Long Beach. Our captains know these waters well and work hard to locate marine life on every cruise. Sighting rates are extremely high throughout the year. 

Please view our Whale Sightings Report to see all recent sightings.

Current pricing is available on our website. We offer adult, senior, and children’s ticket options. Kids tickets are available at a special rate—check our current promotions before booking, as seasonal offers are frequently available.

Yes. Children’s tickets are offered at a discounted rate, and Harbor Breeze regularly runs seasonal promotions for families. Infants under age 3 may sail free, but you must make a reservation for infants so that space is reserved. Please check the current pricing on our tours page for the most up-to-date information.

Walk-up tickets may be available depending on availability, but we strongly recommend booking in advance online or by phone. Tours during Gray Whale and Blue Whale seasons fill up quickly, and booking ahead ensures your spot and often saves you money off the walk-up rate.

We recommend dressing in layers—it’s often cooler on the water than on shore, even on warm days. Bring a light jacket, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat. Binoculars are great for spotting whales at a distance, and a camera is a must. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider taking medication before boarding.

Yes. Our vessels have galley service offering snacks and drinks during the cruise. You’re also welcome to bring your own snacks. Full meals are not served on board, so if you prefer a full meal, we recommend eating before departure.

Harbor Breeze operates a fleet of modern, well-maintained vessels designed for comfort and safety. Our boats include enclosed lounge areas for shelter, restrooms, and spacious open deck areas for viewing. All vessels meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements and are regularly inspected.

Yes. Each Long Beach whale watching cruise is led by an experienced captain who provides comprehensive narration throughout the trip. Harbor Breeze Cruises is the only Long Beach whale watching operator to feature an on-board naturalist from the Aquarium of the Pacific — an exclusive partnership that brings expert marine biology commentary to every eligible cruise, so you’re not just watching marine life, you’re understanding it.

Absolutely. Long Beach whale watching with Harbor Breeze is a family-friendly experience enjoyed by guests of all ages. Children are welcome on board, and the naturalist narration is engaging for both kids and adults. Babies 2 and under  sail free. We recommend dressing young children in layers and bringing snacks to keep them comfortable during the cruise.

We do our best to accommodate guests with mobility needs. Please contact us directly before booking to discuss your specific requirements so we can ensure the best possible experience for your group.

Harbor Breeze monitors weather conditions closely. In cases of severe weather that would make a cruise unsafe or impractical, we will notify guests and work with you on rescheduling or offer future cruise credits per our terms and conditions. Mild chop or overcast skies typically do not affect cruise departures.

Yes. The waters off Long Beach support marine life throughout the entire year, making it one of the most consistently productive whale watching destinations on the West Coast. The species you’re most likely to see changes with the seasons, but Harbor Breeze runs tours year-round.