Prices checked on Sep 11, 2026Things to do in San Francisco
Take a sightseeing cruise across San Francisco Bay and glide under the Golden Gate Bridge on this 2.5-hour whale-watching tour. Search for humpback and gray whales along with more abundant porpoises, dolphins, and harbor seals while learning about the unique history and geology of the area from a professional naturalist on board. Cruise past iconic landmarks aboard a Coast Guard–certified eco-friendly vessel with abundant cabin space and comfortable sun deck.
Start your whale-watching tour from Pier 39 in San Francisco. A member of the crew will welcome you aboard the eco-friendly catamaran. With its hull design and superior engineering, the vessel offers a smooth ride across San Francisco Bay.
Following a safety orientation to familiarize yourself with the boat, take in the views of Angel Island and nearby Alcatraz.
Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge and head out to sea, venturing 3 to 8 miles (4 to 12 km) in search of marine life. In addition to humpback and gray whales, the Bay Ares is frequented by numerous porpoises, dolphins, sharks, sea lions, and various bird populations, as explained by the onboard naturalist.
Dramatic cliffs and imposing rocky shorelines create a dramatic backdrop while you relax inside the heated cabin or watch for whales from the spacious deck. Learn local trivia and brush up on regional history about Native Americans, Spanish explorers, or Gold Rush immigrants.
Returning to Pier 39, you'll find numerous eateries where you can purchase clam chowder or the famous sourdough bread of Fisherman’s Wharf.
Golden Gate Whale Watch lasts about 2h 30min. The itinerary has 5 stops.
Prices start at $77 per person for this San Francisco experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
The meeting point is Address: Pier 39 Dock B, San Francisco, CA 94133 Pier 39 is directly across the street from 2 Beach St, San Francisco, CA, 94133. Gate B is located behind the Aquarium of the Bay. A crew member will meet you at the locked gate for check-in 15 minutes before departure. . Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
The experience is available in EN.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 89 participants.
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
We had a fantastic trip. We saw lots of wildlife but the highlight were the humpback whales. The boat trip was so much fun and travelling under the Golden Gate Bridge was an added bonus! The information provided during the trip was fantastic. So pleased that we booked this. Well worth it!
It was OK. On our trip we only saw whales from a distance, about 200 yards out. It was also very difficult to hear the guide over the noise from the boat. I have been on far better whale watching tours.
Brilliant day, it was cold and choppy, we were out longer than anticipated as the whales were being a bit elusive but it was so worth it, I think there was 3 or 4 whales, we could even smell them. Thank you for enabling me to check another item on my bucket list.
If you only do ONE boat tour in San Francisco, make it San Francisco Whale Tours! Forget standard bay cruises—this is the real deal. Even if the whales decide to play hide-and-seek, the views alone are worth every single penny: sweeping SF skyline views, iconic angles of Alcatraz, and sailing right under the majestic Golden Gate Bridge out into the open Pacific Ocean. Seeing a whale has been a lifelong dream of mine, so I actually booked this tour four days in a row—and it blew me away every single time! I was thrilled to spot both of the current resident whales, "Flukers" and the ever-hungry "Lil Buddy." A massive shoutout to our guide, Mandy! She was friendly, approachable, and insanely knowledgeable. As a self-proclaimed whale nerd, I was amazed by how much new information I learned. She answered every question with genuine passion and enthusiasm. I truly cannot say enough good things about this crew and experience. I’d rebook in a heartbeat on my next trip to SF, and I can't wait to bring my kids here someday! Pro-Tips for Future Guests: Dress Warmly: San Francisco weather on the water is chilly and windy! Bring a quality rain/wind jacket and dress in heavy layers (hat that won't blow off and gloves recommended, waterproof if possible). Snacks & Drinks: Bring water and your favorite snacks to keep your energy up.
Took our 15 year old grandson for a few days in San Francisco. We spent days exploring the city and doing all the things. By far, this experience was the best part of of our whole trip. The tour guides were amazing and provided hands-on, real time, educational information about the animals of the bay. The boat ride was amazing and there was plenty of room for everyone to get on a side rail so they could see! We saw 2 whales, and the captain spent plenty of time letting us watch the whales dive and resurface. The sights of the bay were almost as awesome as spotting the whales. I loved the information about all the bay birds. If you could only book one outing while you were in San Francisco this is the one! Can't recommend it enough! Much love for the Kitty Kat crew!
This was a wonderful opportunity to see whales seals, and porpoises and learn about the environment & ecosystem of San Francisco Bay. Mandy, our guide who is a marine biologist taught us so much about the animals that inhabit the bay and how to protect them. Loved the trip.
We had a great time on the whale watching tour. Mandy was a great guide and was very knowledgeable. We did see some whales (we think it was the same one we kept seeing over again) but they gave us a good showing. I would recommend the tour if you are interested in seeing whales.
Stunning, informative, safe and gorgeous!
Great team, very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. Had a good but very cold trip. Spotted some whales and seals, not up close but safe and very special to see. Would do again in humpback season for sure trip not too long and has loo on board too. Take your own food as per instructions. Good trip. Recommend.
Excellent trip, with lots of great memories. The boat left on time, was spacious for the number of guests, the host provided good information tid bits, the facilitator (Catie) made sure to point out whales so we don't miss them. They took us close enough to the whales, and one of the most memorable instances for me was when a gray whale rose from the water literally on the side of the boat. It was a wonderful experience. We also got to see Alcatraz from up close. It helped that the weather was perfect.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Gate Whale Watch | 2h 30min | 4.5 (579) | $77 | |
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