The Golden Gate Whale Watch by San Francisco Whale Tours is a 2.5-hour expedition that takes guests well beyond the tourist-facing views of the Bay and into genuine Pacific Ocean whale territory. Departing from Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf, the tour heads out on the Kitty Kat, a 65-foot high-speed catamaran built specifically for low-wake, low-noise marine wildlife observation.

The route takes passengers under the Golden Gate Bridge and into the open Pacific, where humpback and gray whales are regularly sighted throughout the year. An onboard naturalist is present throughout the cruise, providing commentary on the wildlife, geology, and history of the San Francisco coastline. In addition to whales, guests can expect to encounter harbor seals, dolphins, porpoises, and a variety of seabird species. Food and drink are not included, but passengers are welcome to bring their own snacks, beer, and wine on board. It is worth noting that conditions beyond the Golden Gate can be choppy, so those prone to seasickness may want to come prepared.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome.
• Health limitations:
  • Not recommended without consulting a doctor for pregnant women.
  • This is an ocean expedition and the vessel will stop and may rock. Those prone to motion sickness should take preventative measures before boarding.

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: Children under 2 years old can join for free but need to be signed up at the time of reservation.
• Individuals with disabilities: There are 4 steps required to board the vessel. Crew will assist passengers with limited mobility. The restroom on board is not fully wheelchair accessible but can be used by passengers with limited mobility. For special accommodation requests, contact the provider directly.
• Pets: No pets allowed on board, with the exception of service animals.

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes.
• What's included:
  • Guided whale watching cruise with an onboard naturalist.
  • Food and beverages are not included.
• Who will be present: A naturalist and crew will be on board throughout the cruise.
• Photo/video: Photos and video are encouraged! Binoculars and cameras are recommended.
• Specific rules to follow: No smoking on board. No hard alcohol; beer and wine may be brought on board.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: Cruises operate rain or shine. If weather prevents the tour from running, guests will be notified.
• Arrival: A crew member will be at the Pier 39 Dock B booth 30 minutes before departure to direct guests to the boat.
• Parking: Pier 39 is located at The Embarcadero and Beach Street, San Francisco, CA 94133. Metered street parking and nearby parking garages are available.
• What to wear: Dress in warm layers with a waterproof jacket. Comfortable, non-slip shoes are essential.
• What to bring:
  • Sun protection
  • Camera and/or binoculars
  • Any food and non-alcoholic beverages (beer and wine also permitted; hard alcohol is not)
  • Motion sickness medication if prone to seasickness
• Restrooms/lockers/changing rooms: A gender-neutral restroom is available on board.

Anything else I should know before going on this experience?

• Whale sightings are not guaranteed on every trip, but sighting rates are consistently high in season. If no whales or dolphins are spotted, guests are invited to return on any regularly scheduled cruise.

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for any other experience in our marketplace, free of charge, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 48 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 48 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.