12 Monterey & Carmel Tours in the USA Worth Booking

1.Monterey Bay: Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,300 reviews · 3 - 4 hours · from $75Our pick

Cruise from Old Fisherman’s Wharf into Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where guides such as Isaiah and Maddy explain the wildlife around you. Expect humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, and seasonal sightings of gray, blue, fin, and orca whales. Hot drinks are included, but bring layers and motion-sickness medicine.

“The whales of course. Getting close. It was fun bouncing in a boat again. Great guides. Funny. Knowledgeable. Price was a little steep, but still worth it.”

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2.Monterey: Monterey Bay Dolphin and Whale Watching Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,645 reviews · 3 hours · from $62

Cruise from Old Fisherman’s Wharf with Chris’ Fishing and Whale Watching, looking for humpbacks, gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, birds, and more. Guides such as Kevin and Lauren explain Monterey Bay’s ecology, while the small boats offer clear views. Bring warm layers, a camera, and a steady stomach.

“We had a great experience from beginning to end. luckily we had a chance to see quite a few whales.”

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3.4 Hour Whale Watching Tour From Monterey

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,045 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $85Top rated

Leave Monterey’s Fisherman’s Wharf at 9 a.m. with a marine biologist or naturalist such as Isaiah, Cory, or Maddy. Spend about three and a half hours searching Monterey Bay for whales, dolphins, sea lions, otters, and birds while learning about local ecology and conservation.

“Overall I took 4 times of this tour already, the 3 stars is for this past Monday boat. In all 4 journeys, this is rhe only time that I want to throw up since the beginning. And not only me, lots of people on the boat puked as part of the trip, which I never saw other boats have this issue. I am not sure if it is the captain’s problem or not.”

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4.Monterey’s 17 Mile Drive Guided Electric Bike Tour, 3 hr

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 870 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $59

Join Big Sur Adventures in Pacific Grove for a three-hour guided e-bike ride along the coast and scenic sections of 17-Mile Drive. You’ll see Bird Rock, Lone Cypress, Pebble Beach, and sea otters, with guides such as Flo, Zane, Suzy, and Katie leading the way. Tandem bikes are available for children up to 120 pounds.

“Great experience. Gorgeous scenery. So much better to see 17 mile drive on a bike than in a car! Fun thing to do with the family. Our tour guide, Flo, was awesome. Dress warm.”

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5.Monterey Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 732 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $70

Cruise Monterey Bay aboard the 110-foot Princess Monterey or 100-foot Atlantis Monterey for about three hours. Naturalists, including guide Melissa, explain whale behavior and marine life. Expect multiple decks, indoor seating, restrooms, and a $20 upper-deck upgrade when available.

“This was a great adventure. We went on the 9am trip, had fantastic weather and a very welcoming crew. Had to travel out about 45 minutes before we spotted any whales. Only saw one at first but then it got busy! Overall had to have spotted no less than 15 humpbacks and were bless with one breach! The crew was awesome. A trip well worth taking!”

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6.Monterey: Sunset Whale Watching Cruise with A Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 519 reviews · 3 hours · from $75

Join Discovery Whale Watch for a three-hour sunset cruise from Fisherman’s Wharf. A marine biologist or naturalist, such as Isaiah, Andrew, or Kevin, explains Monterey Bay’s wildlife and migration seasons while you look for humpback, gray, and blue whales, dolphins, sea lions, otters, and the occasional orca.

“It was a great Trip! The guides and the captain were awesome and made us really enjoy the time. We saw a bunch of buckle-Wale and 100+ dolphins. We appreciated also that the boats are way smaller compared to other companies offering whale watching in Monterey. A perfect experience!”

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7.Whale Watching Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 497 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $62

Join Chris’ Fishing Trips & Whale Watching from Fisherman’s Wharf for about three hours on Monterey Bay. Captain Chris, Kevin, and the crew may lead you to humpbacks, dolphins, sea lions, otters, or orcas, with commentary, open viewing areas, and a restroom onboard.

“Beautiful views of the bay shoreline, but the real stars of the tour were the whales! Saw lots of them, many of them breaching. Great tour and would definitely recommend!”

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8.Monterey and Carmel Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 476 reviews · 11h 30m · from $139

Spend 690 minutes with an English-speaking guide on California Highway 1, visiting Pigeon Point, Davenport, Cannery Row, 17-Mile Drive, Pebble Beach, and Carmel-by-the-Sea. Gray Line guides such as Thomas and Danilo are known for lively commentary, while the fixed schedule gives you a broad coastal overview without renting a car.

“A wonderful day tour only spoiled by attitude of driver to another passenger who was rude to him however the driver would not let it go so it spoiled the return drive back to San Francisco BUT the tour/drive itself was excellent”

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9.Elkhorn Slough Wildlife Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 424 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45Best value

Spend about 90 minutes aboard a smooth, electric-powered catamaran on Elkhorn Slough near Moss Landing. A captain and naturalist guide, including guides such as Aaron or Cindy, explain the wetland, wildlife, and conservation work. Bring warm layers and binoculars.

“The catamaran itself is comfortable and the ride is smooth on the slough. We were there on a beautiful sunny day and saw many sea otters and birds and seals. Because it was a weekday and our group contained only 6 people, we were too few for a full crew so we had only the driver to navigate and narrate. Unfortunately, although he said he was a naturalist, he didn't narrate what we were seeing but spent the bulk of the trip talking about his personal life with two passengers. We really missed not having a naturalist who could explain about the slough and the wildlife that lives there. We…”

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10.17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 401 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $75

Start in Carmel with Mad Dogs & Englishmen for a 2.5-hour guided e-bike ride through 17-Mile Drive and Pebble Beach. Guides such as Leslie and Noah lead small groups to Bird Rock, Lone Cypress, Ghost Tree, and the golf links, with 30 minutes to explore Pebble Beach independently.

“This was an excellent ride and Leslie was awesome tour guide. Bikes were great, easy to use. I would definitely recommend. This was our first time in the area and gave us a great overview.”

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11.Carmel Small Group Walking Food & Cultural Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 392 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $149

Join Carmel Food Tours at 11 a.m. for a three-hour walk through Carmel-by-the-Sea, with six or seven food and drink stops, local stories, and enough tasting portions for lunch. Guides such as Bonnie, Rusty, Veronica, and Amanda share their favorite corners, restaurants, and shops. Alcohol is included for guests age 21 and older.

“Such a fun day with a great group of people from all over the world and a great tour guide! Highly recommend!”

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12.Monterey: Whale Watching Tour with A Marine Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 348 reviews · 2h 30m · from $70

Cruise Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary for 150 minutes aboard the 110-foot Princess Monterey or 100-foot Atlantis Monterey. A marine guide explains whale and dolphin behavior while you use heated cabins, outdoor decks, large windows, and a 360-degree viewing area to search for wildlife.

“Saw 9 gray whales on a nice clean boat served by a fantastic crew and nature guide”

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