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Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
Cape Cod's Finest Whale Watching

It’s Time to Plan your Whale Watch

The 2025 season has started off strong, with humpbacks spotted on every single trip thus far! Our sightings list has already exceeded 50 individual whales, and we are adding new names to the list with each cruise. In addition to occasional sightings of finback and minke whales, we have also enjoyed multiple days with Atlantic white sided dolphins. What will you see when you sail with us?

Plan ahead! Purchase tickets now for your whale watch adventure.

 

Specialty Whale Watching Excursions

Calling all adventure-loving whale watchers! Our Extended Whale Watch is a 6-hour deep-sea experience crafted for those who crave more. With extra time on the water, we’ll explore beyond the usual routes—possibly venturing along Cape Cod’s stunning eastern coastline, including the wildlife-rich waters near Chatham. The whales will be our guide! Weather and sightings permitting, you’ll have the chance to spot elusive ocean wonders like seabirds, sea turtles, and even sharks!

This special voyage goes beyond whale watching! Our team of expert naturalists will be joined by field specialists who will share fascinating insights on seabirds, marine wildlife, maritime heritage, and local history. Plus, a professional photographer will be onboard, offering a hands-on Wildlife Photography Workshop—perfect for capturing jaw-dropping moments and improving your photography skills.

To keep you fueled, our full galley will be stocked with breakfast and lunch options, ensuring you stay energized for all the adventure. And for your comfort, we’re limiting capacity, so you’ll have plenty of space to soak in the views.

Ready for an unforgettable marine adventure? Book your spot on our Extended Whale Watch and make memories you’ll treasure forever!

This July 4th, enjoy the best of both worlds—a thrilling whale watch adventure followed by the spectacular Provincetown Harbor Fireworks, all in one unforgettable cruise. Departing promptly from Barnstable Harbor at 6 pm, you’ll begin with a breathtaking sunset whale watch. Afterward, we’ll sail into Provincetown Harbor for the annual fireworks show, offering you the Best Seats in the House from the deck of the Whale Watcher.

Our full galley will be open all cruise long, offering delicious options to keep you satisfied, including snacks, sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, chowder, and more! Plus, a full bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks will be available to enjoy as you take in the beautiful views.

Thursday, July 4th | 5:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure at Barnstable Harbor.

Tickets: $125 per person – This cruise will sell out quickly, so don’t wait! Book now to secure your spot for a whale of a time and an unforgettable 4th of July!

Hey, families! Get ready for a whale-sized adventure designed just for kids (and their grown-ups)! Our Kids’ Day Whale Watch is a one-of-a-kind cruise where curious young explorers get front-row seats to the wonders of the ocean.

Our friendly naturalist will be your guide, sharing fun, kid-friendly stories about the amazing marine life you’ll see—no boring lectures here! With other excited kids on board and plenty of supervision, it’s a safe, exciting adventure for everyone.

Whether it’s the splash of a mighty whale, a host of dolphins, or a soaring seabird, your little ones will be mesmerized. Our crew will make sure this is an unforgettable experience for the whole family.

Ready for a family adventure that will make a splash? Book your spot now and get ready to create memories your kids will talk about for years!

Some whales may live nearly twice as long as believed—if we let them

From our friends at science.org:

Among mammals, whales are the longevity champs. Members of several species have lived past age 100, and one bowhead whale reached its 211th birthday. But estimates of whale longevity often require scarce tissue samples and can rely on techniques that are difficult to interpret.

A study published today in Science Advances may have found a better way. By combining decades long photo records with the same statistical approach companies use to set life insurance rates, scientists have deduced that at least one species of whale survives almost twice as long as researchers expected. Other whales may beat longevity predictions, too, the work suggests.

“What the authors have done here is quite impressive,” says marine mammal biologist C. Scott Baker of Oregon State University, who wasn’t connected to the study. “They make a good case for the plausibility of their results.”

For the full story, visit science.org here:

2025 Tickets are Now Available!

Order tickets online any time, without leaving home or picking up the phone. Save time, see what’s available and remember, e-tickets never get lost.  Simply keep them on your smartphone!

2024 Tripadvisors Travellers Choice Award

Whale Watch Gift Certificates

Looking for a unique gift for friends near or far? How about a gift certificate for a Whale Watching adventure out of picturesque Barnstable Harbor. The promise of adventure — the wonder of whales and dolphins – wild and free — the exhilaration of sunshine and salt air.

Our gift certificates are easy to order and a cinch to wrap! Gift Certificates are available by flat rate dollar amounts ($100, $125, $150, $175, $200 or $225) or by guests in the party $75 (adults), $65 (seniors – 62+) and $55 (kids – 4 to 12). Order online now and we can even email your gift for you!

WhaleSENSE

WhaleSENSE is a collaborative, voluntary program recognizing commercial whale watching companies committed to a higher standard of whale watching. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises is committed to the principles of WhaleSENSE on all of our cruises. Our vessel operates in compliance with NOAA’s Northeast Whale Watching Guidelines and are active WhaleSENSE participants. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises is a proud supporter of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society, the world’s most active charity dedicated to the conservation and welfare of all whales, dolphins and porpoises.

Cape Cod Life "Best of" Badge for 2024

Best of the Cape & Islands

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises has been selected Best of the Cape & Islands – Land and Sea Excursions – Mid-Cape by Cape Cod Life magazine each year since 2014.

This is a readers’ choice award voted on annually by the magazine’s readers and subscribers. Cape Cod Life is the region’s premier lifestyle magazine showcasing the stunning natural beauty and historic charm of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket since 1979. Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises is proud to receive this award for another season!

Don't Miss Out!

The latest news and events from the Hyannis Whale Watcher team.

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The last few trips have been absolutely out of this world! Breaching, bubble nets, new mom + calf pairs, curious, close to boat whales… We’ll be the first to say that every trip is different, and even today we wondered if the “big show” had moved on. Fingers crossed they stick around until you are able to join us! As a proud member of Whale Sense (whalesense.org), we are committed to responsible whale watching practices. All photos were taken in compliance with established guidelines and regulations. HWWC proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by Center for Coastal Studies. #newengland #humpbackwhale #whalewatcher #visitma #capecod #getoutside #wildlife #wildlifephotographer #ecotourism ... See MoreSee Less
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Whale activity continues to wow us all! With a large aggregation of humpback whales in the area, we’ve had some truly outstanding sightings as of late. Many of the humpbacks have been kicked feeding, an exciting behavior that caps off the whale’s bubble net and serves up a big canister-shaped school of fish to snack on. Atlantic white sided dolphins have been spotted fairly regularly as well! These toothed whales are often feeding on the same fish, but the little calf in the second photo procured the “awwws” 🥹 throughout the boat. We also met Giraffe’s 2025 calf- not the African variety of course, but the humpback!Some of the names likely sound familiar but there are plenty of whales we’re just getting to know! Blackhole and calfGiraffe and calfNileStrikePixarHippocampusPleatsSushiEruption Wonderland LandslideBanditGloSamaraMilkweedInfinity StartrailTangoFernPeleSanchalGreenbeanFalconBristleForensicsTouchdownFloodlightLampBoutonniere BayouLandslide#newengland #humpbackwhale #capecod #visitma ... See MoreSee Less
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Honoring all who have served and remembering those who have fallen. We thank you for your service. 🇺🇸 ... See MoreSee Less
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Don't let the sun set on the trip of a lifetime!

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