To Do Today: New England Aquarium Whale Watch
Custom catamarans offer a chance to view humpback, finback, minke, and pilot whales in their natural habitat
![Photo: A group of people watching as a whale surfaces from the water with seagulls scattering around it](/files/2024/07/whale-watching-feat.jpg)
Guests gather to get a photo of a humpback whale, which can reach the size of a school bus, during a New England Aquarium Whale Watch. Photo Courtesy of Boston Harbor City Cruises
To Do Today: New England Aquarium Whale Watch
Custom catamarans offer a chance to view humpback, finback, minke, and pilot whales in their natural habitat
What?
New England Aquarium Whale Watch.
When?
Tours leave daily through November 27: Monday to Friday at 10 am, 11 am, noon, and 2:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 9 am, 10 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm, and 3:30 pm.
Where?
1 Long Wharf, Boston.
How much?
Tickets: $70 for adults, $62 for seniors, $50 for children 3 to 12 years old, and $5 for children under 2 years old. Tickets can be purchased online here.
Why should I go?
How’s this for an unforgettable summer outing? A chance to see acrobatic humpback whales, as well as finback, pilot, minke, and critically endangered right whales, along with white-sided dolphins and sea birds. Through a partnership with the New England Aquarium and Boston Harbor City Cruises, custom whale watch catamarans take up to 400 passengers on a speedy boat ride, topping out at 37.5 mph to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a rich feeding ground for marine life.
Boston Harbor City Cruises is a member of Whale SENSE, a program that recognizes companies committed to responsible whale watching practices. This means the boats stay a certain distance away from the whales and the crew reports sightings of entangled, suffering, or dead marine mammals, among other things.
The outings last approximately three to four hours. As passengers make their way to the sanctuary, they can capture views of marine life on one of the boat’s three viewing decks. The interior cabin also allows visitors to rest in a climate-controlled area. A snack bar featuring hot pretzels, popcorn, fruit, and beverages is also available.
Visitors wishing to spend their entire day surrounded by aquatic animals can spend more to get tickets that offer admission both to the whale watch and to the New England Aquarium.
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