Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
Cape Cod's Finest Whale Watching

Can’t wait for the 2026 Season!

With Cape Cod temperatures nearing the single digits, we sure are wishing we were with the whales in their warm water breeding grounds. One of the most exciting aspects of a new season is discovering which of our favorite whales have become new mothers. Come opening day on May 16th, we’ll be eager to get back on the water and reunite with our familiar flukes!

 

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North Atlantic right whale news from winter calving grounds

From our friends at capeandislands.org:

There’s good news and bad news coming out of the North Atlantic right whale calving grounds off the Southeastern U.S.

Two new North Atlantic right whale calves have been spotted in the past week, bringing the tally for the season up to five. They were seen off the coasts of Georgia and North Carolina by an aerial survey team from Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute.

The whale known as Bocce and her new calf were sighted on Wednesday, Dec. 10, off Doboy Sound, Georgia. Bocce is 18 years old and this is her third known calf, according to CMA spokesperson Marsha Strickhouser. Bocce is also the sister of Millipede, another mom this season.

The following day, Thursday, Dec. 11, Squilla and her calf were sighted off Sullivan’s Island Lighthouse, South Carolina.

The calving season runs from November through April. North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered large whale species in the world, with a population of about 380 and only 72 reproductive females.

Meanwhile, conservationists have been keeping tabs on a three-year-old male named Division off Jekyll Island, Georgia. Division is suffering from a serious fishing gear entanglement, with fishing line wrapping his head and mouth, cutting into his blowhole and embedded in his upper jaw …

For the full story from Amy Kolb Noyes, visit capeandislands.org.

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!

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2024 Tripadvisors Travellers Choice Award

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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!

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

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Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

2 days ago

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
Check out this series of photos from July of humpback Dome filter feeding! Feeding styles can be adjusted according to the prey species, location in the water column, and even from one individual to another. In this sequence, Dome has a mouthful of water and fish as she lunges straight up. You can see that she's forcing the water out of the sides of her mouth, straining it between hundreds of baleen plates, keeping the fish trapped securely inside. Once all of that seawater is gone, she can swallow the fish whole. They are processed through the whale's three stomach compartments, where they will be broken down, allowing the whale to absorb nutrients AND water! As proud members of WhaleSENSE, 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 the Center for Coastal S#whales #humpbackwhalep#WhaleWatchingl#mealtime #capecode #capecod ... See MoreSee Less

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Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

5 days ago

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
How many sand lance of snow fell at your home?! Who needs a ruler when you were gifted a hot pink sand lance by a fellow marine biologist buddy 👩🏻‍🔬🐟 With an adult length of roughly 4-7” long, these small fish make a big impact as a main prey source for whales, birds, seals, and larger fish.🐟 Commonly referred to as sand eels, though they are not related to true eels. Instead, they are a member of the family Ammodytidae, or sand-burrowing fish. 🐟With a coloration of greenish brown on the top half of the body and white on the belly, these fish have a type of camouflage called “counter shading”.🐟Sand lance can be picky about their habitat- course sand is preferred, possibly for the larger grains of sand allowing for more oxygen when buried. 🐟Sand lance diet consists of zooplankton- tiny animals, particularly a species known as copepods. 🐟 Sand lance are most often the prey species observed during big humpback whale bubble net feeding events- check your photos carefully and you might find one!#ocean #fish #nature #natureeducation #hyanniswhalewatcher ... See MoreSee Less

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Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises

1 week ago

Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises
What does it sound like when a humpback whale becomes interested in the kids on board the whale watch boat? These close encounters are rare and very special, and we love to hear the excitement! This particular whale was a young individual, and they seem to display these curious behaviors a bit more than the seasoned adults! As a proud member of Whale Sense (whalesense.org), we are committed to responsible whale watching practices.  All photos and videos 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. #capecod #WhaleWatching #humpbackwhale #whales #wildlife ... See MoreSee Less

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