Whale & Dolphin Watching Catamaran Cruise from Long Beach

Whale and dolphin watching off Long Beach

The coastal waters between Long Beach, San Pedro and Catalina Island are among the best places on the Southern California coast for whale and dolphin watching. Large pods of common dolphins are seen throughout the year, often racing beside the boat, while sea lions and seabirds are frequent visitors. Sightings are never guaranteed, but the odds are good on a Long Beach whale watching cruise.

Gray whales pass along the coast on their migration, usually from late autumn to early spring, and larger whales such as humpbacks and blue whales are seen in the warmer months in some years. If you are wondering what is the best time for whale watching in Long Beach, winter and spring suit gray whales, while summer and early autumn often bring more variety.

On board the whale and dolphin catamaran

A catamaran has two hulls, which makes it steadier than a single-hull boat and more comfortable for families and first-time sailors. There are open decks for photography and seating in shelter, and your guide points out animals, explains their behaviour and shares facts about the local marine life over the speaker system.

The cruise usually lasts two to three hours, with time on the water depending on where the animals are that day. Bring a jacket even on a warm day, because the breeze at sea is cool, and take motion-sickness precautions if you are prone to it. Your voucher confirms the departure time.

Departing from Long Beach: the Queen Mary and the aquarium

The Long Beach departure sits in the waterfront district, close to the moored Queen Mary ocean liner and the Aquarium of the Pacific. This makes it easy to combine a Long Beach whale watching cruise with a wider day out, and there are restaurants and shops within walking distance of the dock.

You leave the harbour behind the breakwater, passing container ships, the city skyline and the lighthouse before reaching open water. Arrive at the dock before your departure time, since boarding begins early, and check the meeting point in your booking voucher when planning how to get to the boat.

Departing from San Pedro: USS Iowa and the port

The San Pedro option leaves from a harbour-front spot on South Harbor Boulevard near the Battleship USS Iowa Museum, the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and the busy port. It is a good choice if you are staying south of downtown or want to see the historic battleship before or after the cruise.

Both departures head to the same feeding grounds, so the wildlife you see is similar. The main difference is the starting point and the departure times, so choose the option that fits your day in the booking panel, where the current availability for each option is shown.