Cape Ann Whale Watch | Whale & Dolphin Watching     
Cape Ann Whale Watch is the only whale watch company in the Northeast to feature a comprehensive educational program completely integrated into the whale watch. Our education program is based on the philosophy expressed in a quote by Baba Dioum, a Senegalese environmentalist in 1968. “In the end, we conserve only what we love, we love only what we understand and we understand only what we are taught. “ We hope that if we teach passengers a little about whales, they will understand them better. If they understand them, they will start to care about them. Finally, if you think about our lives, we chose to protect and conserve the things we care about and love. We hope that seeing these animals in their natural habitat as well as learning about them inspires people to make small changes in their lives to help protect whales.
MonthsApril • May • June • July • August • September • October DurationHalf-day (3-6 hours) Vessel typesLarge boat (50+ passengers) • Small boat (0-50 passengers) Times and prices8.30 1.30 $45 adults $40 seniors $30 children About our skippers and naturalist guidesFacilitiesDisabled access • Hands-on materials (bones, shells etc) • Naturalist guide(s) as well as skipper • On board hydrophone • On board video • Onboard research • PA system • Posters / displays / maps • Reading material available • Restrooms / toilets on board • Scenic backdrop to encounters • Snacks / drinks • Support conservation • Swim / snorkel included • Use a code of conduct We frequentlySee a whale's tail • See leaping whales • Showered by whale blows • Watch whales and dolphins Baleen WhalesFin Whale • Humpback Whale • Minke Whale Ocean DolphinsAtlantic White-sided Dolphin Other wildlife and points of interestWe have seen a total of 14 different species in the past twenty years. Although we spend most of our time with baleen whales, we occasionally see Northern right whales, harbor porpoise, sei whales and long-finned pilot whales. AddressRose's Wharf, 415 Main Street
Town / CityGloucester
State / CountyMA
Zip / PostcodeCountryWebsiteTel001-978-283-5110
 Jennifer Cerulli Best whale watch Traveled: 2013-08-18, Reviewed: 2013-08-12
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I love whale watches but Cape Ann Whale Watch is the best I have ever been on. The crew comes around with models of where we will be going, they talk to everyone about the whales we will possibly be seeing. It is a fantastic trip. I typically go out on trips with them 2-3 times every summer. There have been trips where we have seen 15-20 whales and other trips where we only see 1-2 whales. But either way you always leave the trip feeling like it was an exciting time on the ocean. They really make every trip the most fun and exciting experience you can have on a whale watch . That is why I keep going back and why I have recommended it to everyone. They definitely have proven that they genuinely care for the environment of these fantastic creatures and all other sea life. I love the high speed boat they have that gets us out to the whales faster so we have more time to spend with the whales. I can't say enough about Cape Ann Whale watch. They are great!!!
Jon Hall Sei Whales and Northern Rights Traveled: 2013-05-04, Reviewed: 2013-05-06
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I must have taken 100+ whale watching trips in 15-20 countries and this was one of the best. First we saw Sei Whales (my first Sei whales and there was me thinking I would have to go to Antarctica before I saw them) and they were skim feeding too, then skim feeding Northern Rights which was awesome (the former are very rare in these waters, the latter regular in early May though very rare to see them skim feeding). Second, Cynde, the on board naturalist was exceptionally knowledgeable and super helpful beforehand too. The boat is comfortable and there was plenty of space. I can't recommend them highly enough. See mammalwatching.com for more info.
Allie Verderame Loved This Trip Both Times Traveled: 2012-08-16, Reviewed: 2012-09-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
We went on the Cape Ann Whale Watch 2 years in a row and loved it both times. All of the staff from the people behind the counter at the desk to every member of the crew were courteous, knowledgeable and more than willing to answer any questions. The gave a narrative throughout the trip about whale conservation, history, education, behavior, at one point a crew member went around the boat with a baleen plate explaining how it was used and passengers were allowed to see it up close and touch it. They were very informative explaining the whale behavior as we encountered the whales and also telling us how they identify the individual whales and which ones we were seeing. They made every effort to make sure everyone got a chance to see the whales on both sides of the boat and moved accordingly to see many different whales and present the opportunity to see different behaviors. The trip was about 3 and half to 4 hours long and much of that time was spent with whales in view, I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking to have an amazing experience viewing whales in their natural habitat.
Carolyn DeLeo Great family adventure! Traveled: 2012-07-02, Reviewed: 2012-09-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
This was my second whale watch trip. It was the best. We chose Cape Ann because of its educational emphasis. My 7 year old grandson came with us and learned so much about whales. Instructors came around with pictures, models, and other hands on activities for all to partake in on the way out. We saw Minkes and three humpback. We were blessed to see a perfect double fluke. Once we came upon the humpbacks we were afforded much time to view them. They were able to identify the whales by their tails. Who knew there was a registry naming whales. We will definitely be going back! It was fun, educational, and a great experience. The operators are so knowledgable about marine life and whales in particular. Thanks Cape Ann for such an enjoyable time!!
Patricia Farmer Best whale watch ever!! Traveled: 2012-08-19, Reviewed: 2012-09-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
I have been on many whale watches over the years; Bay of Fundy, N.B., Canada and in Alaska as well. This trip in Cape Ann, Massachusetts was by far the best ever. They knew right where the whales would be and knew their names and gave us a little history on them too. It was a great day for my family. We went home with awesome pictures, awesome videos and best of all, awesome memories! !
Mary Best whale watch Traveled: 2012-08-18, Reviewed: 2012-09-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
This was the best whale watch I have ever been on. They were very informative. We also see alot of whales. The crew names the whales and many of the whales come back with their offsprings and you can see generations of whales together. When I go to Gloucester on vacation I always go out to see the whales with the Cape Ann Whale Watch. They respect the whales keeping there distance from them. I tell all my friends when you are in the Boston area take a drive to Gloucester and go see the Whales on the Cape Ann Whale Watch.
Marla Umstead Have Been on More than 100 Whale Watches with Cape Ann Traveled: 2012-08-19, Reviewed: 2012-09-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
Cape Ann prides itself on the level of education they provide on their trips. I have been out with them over several seasons and I'm always learning new things. The entire crew, from the ticket office to the mates on board are friendly and helpful. Cape Ann also has great respect for the whales, observing the required approach and distance from whales, never crowding in with other boats and never spending too time on any one whale. The naturalists do an incredible job photographing, identifying and cataloging the humpbacks that they see each year and telling the passengers about who we are seeing, the age (if known) and the lineage.
One unique service that Cape Ann offers is an Ultimate Whale Watch, where you can go out on their 28-ft boat, giving you an incredible vantage point to see the whales from a different point of view. Captain Nick Danikas captains the boat, maintains the same respect for the whales as the big boat and allows you to have a very personal experience with the whales. I tell my husband that he doesn't need to buy me jewelry, but he has to take me at least once a year on this whale watch! I have been on at least 150 whale watches and Cape Ann is always my choice. Sarah Griffin Amazing! gone back every year for 7+ years! Traveled: 2011-07-22, Reviewed: 2012-09-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
This comapy is amazing! One year the boat was leased out on the day we went so we had to go on another boat and i will never do that again. The educators on the Hurricane II are the best. They answer any and all questions you may have. Before the boat leaves the dock, which has a Humpback whale drawn on it, they explain about the whales. The trips are very interactive, the passagers help locate the whales. On the trip out to the whales the Captain tells everyone over the speaker system where we're going and why, and how to spot the whales in the distance. On the way back to shore after a few hours "on" the whales the educators bring out diagrams and samples of baleen and other educational tools. They also have items that can be perchased to help support the education and conservation programs run by Ocean Alliance. They also explain who Ocean Alliance is and what they do.
Michelle We definitely will go again! Traveled: 2012-08-05, Reviewed: 2012-09-19
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
We had a fantastic time on our whale watch. This was our second time going on a whale watch through Cape Ann. They make the trip very enjoyable while educating you not only on whales but all marine life. You can tell how much this means each every person you speak to on the trip. It is not just a job for them but a passion. They know each whale you see and it's history in the area. On our trip we saw a whale they hadn't seen yet that season and she had a baby with her. You could just hear the excitement in their voices as they told you about her. They are very cautious not over whelm the whales. In one case there was a whale close by but they chose not to go close to it because of too many other boats in the area near it. They put the whales first even if it means not letting their passengers get a close look. I applaud them for this. The other thing that is fantastic is after we were headed back in they took out a bunch of toy marine life and played with the children. They answered a lot of questions the kids had through play. I can't wait to go back next summer!
 Judith Scott Incredibly educational Traveled: 2011-06-02, Reviewed: 2011-09-27
Safe approach to whales / dolphins
Valuable learning experience
Trip meets expectations
Minimal impact on the marine environment
Own research / support for conservation
There are a number of whale watches that run out of Gloucester but having whale watched there a lot I consider this the best because of the education that is offered on this trip. All the boats in this area employ very experienced naturalists on their boats and the trips that run out of Gloucester, just North of Boston, should always be chosen over the huge ferries that go whale watching off Boston. These boats offer little education and are not good for whale watching, they are too big.
Cape Ann Whale Watch however has a number of interns on every trip that circulate the boat on the way too and from the whales with educational tools, such as baleen and whale song. No other whale watch I have ever been on in the world has ever had such a dedicated educational aspect to the trip. Even when the whales are a little quiet (as they were when I was there this year) the trip is still a great experience. My only criticism with this boat and frankly all the others I have been on in this area, is that they do not have a very good recycling scheme on=board for plastic, however I know this was bein changed while I was there. And if you are lucky enought to be there when the humpback whales are out in force then it is one of the best places in the world to whale watch. 
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