Sanctuary Cruises: Epic Whale Watching Charter in Monterey Bay
Hi friends! This last week I took an epic voyage on the magical waters of Monterey Bay, and I encountered an awe-inspiring world of marine wildlife that surpassed all expectations. Sanctuary Cruises, one of Monterey Bay’s premier whale watching tour companies, brought me aboard their luxury yacht, the Meridian, for a private charter out of Moss Landing, which allowed for an intimate and truly remarkable experience. Join me as we discover all that Sanctuary Cruises has to offer, including up-close adventures with orcas, humpback whales, and all kinds of incredible wildlife that call this bay home.
Orca sighting from the Meridian luxury yacht in Monterey Bay
Humpback whale near Sanctuary Cruises group whale tour
Location
Sanctuary Cruises departs out of the Moss Landing Harbor, which is located about half way up the Monterey Bay, making it perfect for whale watching excursions from both Monterey and Santa Cruz. Moss Landing is the number one fishing harbor in the bay, and tourism in recent years has grown tremendously here due to its abundant marine wildlife. The Elkhorn Slough that runs inland from the harbor is great for kayaking and is a premier spot for birders, providing opportunities to see over 340 different types of bird species. The Monterey Bay waters adjacent to the harbor are often referred to as the “Moss Landing Whale Park” due to the underwater topography optimal for marine life, providing Sanctuary Cruise passengers opportunities to encounter whales, dolphins, orcas, otters, sea lions, and sea birds year-round.
Humpback whale sighting with Sanctuary Cruises private charter in Monterey Bay
Monterey Bay orca sighting with Sanctuary Cruises (CA51A’s and CA50B)
Sanctuary Cruises
Sanctuary Cruises offers a wide variety of cruising options out of the harbor at Moss Landing with multiple vessels optimized for all kinds of adventures and occasions. The eco-friendly bio-diesel Sanctuary is a 43-foot Delta Marine and is their primary whale watching vessel for group tours. Guests aboard will enjoy in-depth and insightful information from experienced marine bioligists, as well as find comfortable seating both inside and outside the cabin. These group tours are limited to no more than 22 passengers to ensure the boat never gets crowded, and they last about 3.5-4 hours, allowing for plenty of time to explore the bay and see wildlife up-close without rushing.
Today we’re setting out on Sanctuary Cruises’ 50 foot luxury motor yacht, the Meridian. This impressive vessel is perfect for private charters, allowing you to fully customize your sailing experience. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special birthday with a sunset cruise, host a staff retreat, or hone your wildlife photography skills, the Meridian is a fantastic option.
Meridian luxury yacht in Moss Landing Harbor
Sanctuary Cruises’ private charters on the Meridian luxury yacht
Lounging on the Meridian luxury yacht on the Monterey Bay
Orca right off the stern of the Meridian in Monterey Bay
Private Charters on the Meridian
Nate and I first sailed on the Meridian seven years ago to celebrate our anniversary! This was before I started blogging, and it was such as special experience that it inspired me to start documenting and sharing my adventures...so the Meridian holds a very special place in my heart and it’s such a joy to officially share it with you today!
Guests aboard the Meridian are treated to first class amenities and a wonderfully comfortable experience. Lounge on the sundeck while feeling the ocean breeze or head inside the roomy cabin to grab a snack from the stocked kitchen. The multiple levels on this yacht also provide a wide variety of angles and vantage points for wildlife viewing and photography.
Monterey Bay orca sighting with Sanctuary Cruises (CA51A’s and CA50B)
Humpback whale “pectoral fin slapping” near our Sanctuary Cruises private charter
Brandt's cormorant birds flying a few feet above the Monterey Bay waters
Monterey Bay Wildlife
Monterey Bay near Moss Landing is a haven for marine wildlife, offering a rich biodiversity that draws nature enthusiasts from around the globe. Passengers aboard Sanctuary Cruises can marvel at a variety of whale species, including the majestic humpback whales that migrate through these waters from April to November, and the elusive blue whales, the largest animals on Earth, often seen from June to October. This region is also renowned for its orca sightings, especially in the Spring and Summer months, as these apex predators are attracted by the abundance of prey such as seals, sea lions, and even other whales.
The bay's rich ecosystem supports a thriving population of sea otters, whose playful antics delight onlookers year-round. Additionally, California sea lions are a common sight and sound with their boisterous barks, especially in and around the harbor. The waters are also home to various species of dolphins, including the acrobatic common dolphins, the sleek & speedy Pacific white-sided dolphins, and the playful bottlenose dolphins. On our recent trip, we encountered a small school Risso’s dolphins, which can often be seen in deeper parts of the bay (like the waters adjacent to Moss Landing) due to its primary food source of squid.
Birdwatchers will find the skies and shores teeming with life, including pelicans, cormorants, and a variety of gull species. For the more adventurous, there is even the potential to spot great white sharks, particularly in the late Summer and Fall when they frequent the area. Adding to the excitement, the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute is building a new state-of-the-art facility in Moss Landing, further cementing the area's status as a premier destination for marine research and wildlife observation.
Humpback whale seen from private charter by Sanctuary Cruises
Humpback whale pectoral fin
Sea lion in Moss Landing Harbor
Know Before You Go
• To reserve a spot on an upcoming group tour, check out the real-time availability at SanctuaryCruises.com
• If you’d like to book a private charter for a special occasion, give Sanctuary Cruises a call at (831) 917-1042 to discuss your ideas, or email them at crew@sanctuarycruises.com. I’m confident they’ll craft a wonderful experience for you.
• Although orca sightings have been abundant in recent weeks, seeing them on a whale watching tour isn’t guaranteed. I am confident, however, that if you book with Sanctuary Cruises, there will be plenty of wildlife to encounter, making for a memorable experience.
• Due to the smaller size of the Sanctuary Cruises vessels, passengers can get low-to-the-water views of the marine wildlife, perfect for photography. If you have the equipment, bring your camera and telephoto lens to get incredible compositions of these majestic creatures. Photo Tip: When shooting in manual mode, make sure to set your shutter speed fast (from 1/1250 to 1/2000) when photographing moving wildlife. Also try to keep your aperture in between f/8 and f/11 to ensure large whales will be entirely in focus.
• Please follow all Leave No Trace Principles and recreate responsibly here to keep the Monterey Bay wild and wonderful for generations to come.
• Although Sanctuary Cruises offers relief bands and other forms of seasickness aids, it’s best to come prepared with Dramamine or your preferred motion sickness aid if you struggle being out on the open ocean.
• Even on cloudy days, sun protection is important when out on the water. Bring a hat that can be safely secured, sunscreen, and polarized sunglasses.
• Layering is key when adventuring out on the Monterey Bay. It can get chilly, especially when the boats are moving from one location to another, so consider bringing a windbreaker.
• Make sure to bring some cash with you to tip the crew when your adventure comes to a close.
Top 10 Activities in Moss Landing
Orca sighting from the Meridian luxury yacht in Monterey Bay
Orca sighting with Sanctuary Cruises in Monterey Bay
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week on the Monterey Bay. For a virtual visit of my experience on the Meridian with Sanctuary Cruises, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here.
Visit SanctuaryCruises.com to book your next Monterey Bay adventure and to learn more about all their incredible offerings. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Sea otter in Moss Landing Harbor
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like…
About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
Search the Blog
Featured Posts
Etsy Shop
Today we're heading out on a luxury motor yacht with Sanctuary Cruises for a private whale watching charter. This is one of the top orca and whale watching companies in Moss Landing in Central California, providing group and private tours of the Monterey Bay. We'll encounter all kinds of marine wildlife up close, including orcas, humpback whales, sea otters, dolphins, sea lions, and sea birds.