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Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

Book your whale watch today!

We’ve been amazed by the spectacular whale sightings we’ve experienced so far this season. The young calves are really beginning to show their personalities, spending more time at the surface as they grow stronger and more energetic.  Our first Extended Whale Watch of 2026 gave guests nearly four incredible hours with the whales—a truly unforgettable experience! Our next Extended Whale Watch will be Wednesday, July 15th at 2pm.  Don’t miss your chance to make memories of your own. Join us this July for a memorable day at sea!

 

Here’s what some of our recent guests had to say about their whale watching experience…

Staff & crew were on their A game. We learned so much and saw sooooooo many whales, a few dolphins, and a seal. It’s wild because I grew up on the Cape and have never seen a dolphin here before. Very cool. Don’t forget a hoodie/jacket for the wind, especially on the afternoon trips. Actual shoes recommended… I’m a flipflop kinda guy, but wished I had better footwear while the boat was pitching on the sea. Listen to the crew and you will have a safe trip and see tons of marine wildlife. Honestly, why drive to Ptown for the whale watch, when you can go out of Barnstable and have more time on the water, with less time in traffic?. 10/10 and I will definitely be back. Never driving to Ptown for a whale watch again. A thousand thanks to the crew, well done

Wow 5 STAR day out today – absolutely loved the whole experience! We were so lucky and saw so many humpback whales, minke and a couple of grey seals! Great team on board, excellent commentary – very educational and knew their stuff. Snack bar well equipped. You can buy DVD or link for $45 that will include everything from your trip. Parking is $15 cash next to the harbour – really nice little snack place there as well. Book – you will not be disappointed!

It was great! Staff were very knowledgeable and kind. We saw a total of 20-25 humpback whales, a minke whale, and a seal. People say that the front of the boat is mainly pointed towards the whales, which is due to them trying to not disturb the whale’s natural behavior. You get a pretty good view as well when sitting on the sides of the boat and we were surrounded by whales so everyone got to see something. I would definitely recommend!

Everything was brilliantly organized, with loads of friendly chat from the staff and crew, and the education (delivered in a friendly and humorous manner) started before we had left the doc. The boat itself was in good shape, and a proper vessel for the purpose (26 years old). Food and drink available to purchase on board was basic but decent as might be expected, and not outrageously expensive. The whales did their bit too, turning up on multiple occasions. The crew and staff seemed to know their stuff and appeared to really care about the wild life. Would love to do this again if the opportunity arose.

Such an incredible experience! The boat spacious, with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. They sell food and drinks, or you can bring your own. The crew is great and helps to identify the sea life. We saw 25 whales, including calves! And a seal. We also got to see several humpback whales breach, which was amazing. We would do this again in a heartbeat!

Fabulous excursion, saw many whales, jumping, rolling, tail waving and fin flapping. Fast, clean boat with attentive and friendly crew. Top notch operation all around, highly recommend for the experience and value.

This cruise was the highlight of our vacation! We saw lots of whales. The captain made sure to give us plenty of time to enjoy watching them in the water. He even stopped on the way back when he saw some whales at play.

My husband, two teen sons, and I loved every minute aboard this whale watching adventure. Every member of the crew was so friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly loves their job. We went out on an afternoon trip last week (June 2026) and it was perfection — beautiful weather AND we saw so many spectacular whales. We were incredibly lucky to witness 20+ whales including the rare sighting of a whale waving its dorsal fin at us a few times and another whale breaching fully out of the water several times too. We also spotted four adorable grey seals. This day on the water was such a highlight for us and we thank the Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises crew for a wonderful experience from start to finish!

We had the best trip. It was a very foggy morning but when we got to the area we saw so many. There were two whales with their calf’s. Several whales including one of the babies breached the water. Some were so close to the boat you could see the baleen in their mouths. The crew was informative and friendly. I highly recommend this trip.

My family and I have done many whale watching tours, but this tour was the best one we’ve ever done! We saw so many whales, the weather was perfect, and the day couldn’t have been better! We also loved the care the company takes with treating the whales with respect and the conservation discussion. Highly, highly recommend!!!

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—allowing the whales will be our guide! Weather and sightings permitting, you may possibly 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!

Tickets: $125 per person

2026 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!

Trip advisor 2025

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.

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!

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

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16 humpback whales in a single bubble net. 50 whales in the area. We can’t believe it either. This weekend’s weather is looking spectacular, come on out with us! We really can’t stress enough how special this season has been 💛🐋 Info and tickets available at www.whales.net As a proud member of Whale Sense, all photos were taken in compliance with established whale watching guidelines.      HWWC proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by Center for Coastal Studies. ... See MoreSee Less
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Our afternoon Extended Whale Watch is one week away and the whales haven’t gone anywhere! We are so excited for the afternoon departure, affording us late afternoon and golden hour whales. Ken Grille Photography will be onboard to offer photography tips, especially with the lower lighting, and capacity is limited for ample space to move around and snap that perfect frame. Tickets are still available at www.whales.net. Questions about what to expect? Send us a DM! As a proud member of Whale Sense, all photos were taken in compliance with established whale watching guidelines.      HWWC proudly contributes its data to the GOM Humpback Whale Catalog curated by Center for Coastal Studies. ... See MoreSee Less
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Who doesn’t love a little golden hour magic ✨We have two late afternoon departures coming up this week and they are some of our favorite times to be on the water. The lighting is softer, there are fewer boats offshore, and the whales are spectacular as always. Thank you to our naturalist Kali for snapping these gorgeous photos of the Whale Watcher during our annual 4th of July Whales and Fireworks cruise. Tickets are available at www.whales.net. ... See MoreSee Less
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Don't let the sun set on the trip of a lifetime!

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