A Whale Watching Adventure in Plymouth, Massachusetts

I have always wanted to go whale watching, so living near Plymouth, I figured this would be a great opportunity to book a tour. Massachusetts is one of the top whale watching destinations in the world. If you never have been whale watching, I highly recommend adding this fantastic experience to your travel bucket list. If you only have a weekend in the city, I definitely recommend planning some time for a narrated cruise.

We went with Captain John’s tours as we found a great deal on Groupon. Our tour was scenic, affordable, & educational. The nice thing about this tour is that they guarantee sightings or else you get to come back again for no charge. They communicate with other boats on the water to ensure sightings each time, so don’t worry you will probably see more than enough to get some great photos!

A whale watching trip is an excellent way to spend day enjoying the beautiful scenery of this area. I loved seeing the waterfront and iconic Plymouth Rock from afar.

Seeing a whale up close in its’ natural habitat is an amazing experience. I am really glad that we lived so close (it was an easy half hour drive from Fall River) and enjoyed easy access to a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The cruise is conveniently located near other tourist attractions such as the Mayflower replica, Burial Hill, and other historical sites, so you have plenty of options for sightseeing in the area either before or after your trip.

The best tour in the region

The boat itself is pretty large, with both an upper and lower deck for viewing. It’s definitely a long day out on the water – the cruise lasts between 3.5-4.5 hours. There is a small snack shop/cafe on board serving lunch items such as hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, and snacks. For breakfast, eggs and toast are available. I recommend eating breakfast at a local cafe and picking out one of the city’s wonderful waterfront dining options after your cruise. Wood’s is a great choice for anyone who loves lobster. Mamma Mia’s is the best Italian in the region.

The best part of the tour was all the new things we learned. Our guide provided lots of historical information, including information about the whales themselves, and landmarks along the way. I love that our guide pointed out whale sightings and conveniently pointed everyone in the best direction for the best views and photography. They also carefully move the boat in the direction of the whale to try to get the best viewpoint possible.

It takes about 45 minutes to get out to the prime whale watching area, however, we were never bored enjoying the gorgeous ocean scenery. Along, the way you will get to see various islands and lighthouses. Make sure to bring with a jacket even if it is really warm out because the ride over can be incredibly windy and cold!

You will come across The Duxbury Pier Lighthouse at some point along the tour. This one was built in 1871 to warn mariners of dangerous shoal off Saquish Head.

Humpback sightings

We were able to take plenty of amazing photographs and videos of humpback whales, which are the type of whales you will see during this cruise. Several times the whale swam directly in front of the boat which was a really exciting experience. What an incredible sight to see this amazing animal up close! Seeing the whale’s huge outline underneath the water is definitely an incredible experience that I will not forget anytime soon.

One of the cool aspects of this experience was our ability to spot whales by a green pigment in the water. According to our tour guide, the area that looks green is actually the white on the humpback’s pectoral flippers. The flippers only appear green because of the plankton rich New England waters. Look for the green in the pic.

We were able to snap a few photos of the whale showing its’ dorsal fin. The main purpose of this fin is for stabilization when the animal is swimming. Take a look at some of the photos we took during our tour.

Here’s a pic of the humpback showing the pectoral fin. This fin is also used for stabilization, in addition to help the whale maneuver through the water.

We were also able to get a few amazing photos of the humpback whale’s tail flapping. This was my favorite part of the tour. It almost seems as if the whale is doing it for show, although it is actually a means of communication. This the cool part of this tour is that you will learn a lot of unique facts. Take a look at the fantastic shots of whales in action tail flapping.

Check out this video we took when a whale swam right up by our boat
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmQEtktVu8U&width=600

The return trip is a great time to relax and enjoy the beautiful ocean scenery. We took this opportunity to just zone out a little bit after several hours of tiresome photography and whale searching. I also snapped a few great photographs of Plymouth Rock, which looks stunning as you are arriving into the harbor.

What to pack for your trip

*Bring with a sweater and/or wind jacket. The ride over is very windy and very cold. Even with a sweater I was absolutely freezing, and it was in the mid 80’s. Bring with a jacket even if it is 90 degrees out – you will thank yourself later on!

*Sunglasses and sunblock will come in handy. When the boat is still, the sun is strong. You will be able to see the whales better without a glare.

*Bring extra camera batteries, if needed. I saw several people run out on the boat.

*Bring Cash, if you intend to eat/drink on board.

*Pack motion sickness pills if needed as the water is pretty rough at times. If you nauseous easily, make sure to bring with/take something in advance of your trip.

General tips

*Scan Groupon for deals. I found a great deal – 2 tickets for $62 plus a $10 food voucher. The normal price is over 50 bucks per adult, so this was a fantastic deal!

*The best time to whale watch in the area is during the summer months. During this time, you will see the most whales as the water temperatures are at their warmest.

*Park in the free parking lot by Burial Hill (Leyden St.) The walk to the waterfront is only 2-3 blocks. Parking in the area is expensive and meters run 7 days a week, so this is your best option 🙂

*Set up your camera on continuous mode, so you can get the best pics possible. Taking single shots will not be fast enough to ensure a great photo. The whales come in and out of the water very quickly.

*Eat before your trip – Remember that you will be on the boat for several hours! I like Persy’s – they offer a cozy setting and the food is terrific and filling. There is a small snack shop on the boat (note – cash only), but I recommend a nice lunch somewhere along the waterfront after your tour. I recommend Carmen’s Cafe Nicole – they serve delicious sandwiches and offer great patio dining. Mamma Mia’s Italian is another wonderful local choice that I find myself going back to over and over again.

*Get to the boat early if you want to pick your seat. We got there about 15 minutes in advance and the boat was already packed.

*Take the early morning (9:00am) cruise if you want to avoid hefty crowds. It always pays to get up early.

*Make reservations in advance before making the drive/walk over. The boat only holds a limited number of people, and you do not want to have to turn around once you get there!

*Pick up a coupon booklet at a restaurant or shop around Plymouth. You will find discounts for a few bucks off.

Location/Pricing Details

Location: 10 Town Wharf Plymouth, MA 02362
Ticket Prices: $67 per adult, $47 per child (12 and under), $57 for seniors. You will receive a discount if you book online. 2025 Update: Prices are now $74 per adult, $64 senior, $54 child, $3 ages 0-3.
Schedule: Cruises from from April – October and depart at 9:00am or 2:00pm. Days of the week vary by month. Check the schedule for available cruises. Tours last around 4 hours.

Learn more about this tour including special promotions. Also, I recommend booking online to ensure availability