Humpback and blue whales feed in sanctuary waters from May to November, on trips from $72 (sale) off Pier 39 to $320 for an 8-hour Farallon Islands day. Gray whales pass closest in winter, peaking in mid-January.
Dark months are the peak for that species, light months are the rest of its season. October is marked.
| Species | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whale | January: not usually seen | February: not usually seen | March: not usually seen | April: not usually seen | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: not usually seen |
| Blue whale | January: not usually seen | February: not usually seen | March: not usually seen | April: not usually seen | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: in season | December: not usually seen |
| Gray whale | January: peak | February: in season | March: in season | April: not usually seen | May: not usually seen | June: not usually seen | July: not usually seen | August: not usually seen | September: not usually seen | October: not usually seen | November: not usually seen | December: not usually seen |
Peak In season
From farallones.noaa.gov. Whales turn up outside these months too.
| Operator | What you get | From | Length | Group | Min age | Boat | If no whales | Cancellation | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Golden Gate Whale Watch |
$72 per adult |
2 hours 30 minutes |
Kitty Kat, 65 ft catamaran (up to 49 guests stated for private charters) | Not stated | Check dates | ||||
Golden Gate Whale Watch and Beyond |
$80.25 per adult |
4 hours (description says 3-4 hours) |
Not stated | Check dates | |||||
Farallon Islands Whale WatchingIncludes Whale expert and seabird expert guides, Photos from a professional photographer, Coffee and tea |
$320 per person |
8 hours (check-in 8:00am, departs 8:30am, back about 4:30pm) |
up to 48 passengers, typically about 33 |
10 | Salty Lady, 60 ft U.S. Coast Guard certified boat, up to 48 passengers | Not stated | Runs rain or shine; if cancelled for high winds or seas, passengers can reschedule or get a full refund | Check dates | |
Golden Gate Whale Watching CharterIncludes Boat and captain, Guides, Safety equipment, Water, coffee and tea, Fuel |
$2,950 per group |
3 hours |
up to 35 |
Salty Lady, 60 ft, Coast Guard rated for 50 passengers (35 recommended) | Not stated | Refund minus the 50% deposit if cancelled 10+ days out; none within 10 days; weather cancellations fully refunded | Check dates | ||
Whale Watching |
Not listed |
3 hours |
Queen of Hearts, 50 ft sportfishing vessel | Not stated | Trips depend on weather and demand; no refund terms stated | Check dates |
From each operator's own website, checked October 21, 2026. How we compare.
San Francisco Whale Tours leaves Pier 39, just off The Embarcadero. Its 2.5-hour Golden Gate Whale Watch runs March to October. The 4-hour Golden Gate Whale Watch and Beyond runs November to February, heading into the Pacific and sometimes up the Marin coast toward Point Reyes, depending on the wildlife that day. Oceanic Society's Farallon trips use the San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor at 3950 Scott Street, near Marina Green, where parking is free.
Oceanic Society checks in at 8:00 am, leaves at 8:30 am and returns around 4:30 pm. The Farallon Islands lie 27 miles out, and the boat reaches Southeast Farallon Island a little over 2 hours after leaving. South of the city, Half Moon Bay's whale boats use Johnson Pier in Pillar Point Harbor. Queen of Hearts sails from 27 Johnson Pier, and Visit Half Moon Bay also lists Reel Screamer II at 1 Johnson Pier for whale watching.
Gray whales pass close to shore in winter, and NOAA's Greater Farallones sanctuary says the migration peaks in mid-January. Northbound grays keep passing through June. Visit Half Moon Bay puts its gray whale season from January through the end of March. Oceanic Society says a few gray whales stay around the Farallones in summer, which it calls a rare chance to see them then outside Alaska.
From March to August, upwelling feeds humpback and blue whales in the sanctuary, and day boats around the Farallon Islands see both from May to November. Oceanic Society cites a 96% chance of seeing whales on its April to November Farallon trips, based on 40 years of its own sightings. It finds blue whales along the Farallon Escarpment and humpbacks near the Golden Gate and the coast. Visit Half Moon Bay says humpbacks come closer to shore there in March and early April.
September to November is the sanctuary's oceanic season, a strong time for humpbacks and blue whales, ocean sunfish, sea turtles and sharks, as clearer water draws white sharks to the seals. Over 300,000 seabirds breed on the Farallones, and spring and summer are prime nesting season, with tufted puffins. Oceanic Society adds harbor porpoises under the Golden Gate and says sharks are very rare sightings on its trips.
NOAA's Greater Farallones sanctuary describes three sea seasons. From December to February, winter storms out of the north and west raise huge swells and squalls, and coastal water is at its coldest. From March to August, brisk winds drive upwelling and the coast is sometimes fogged in. From September to November the wind eases or reverses and the ocean settles, giving the beaches their quietest sea of the year.
Oceanic Society tells Farallon passengers to expect fog, wind and spray, and to wear waterproof shoes and an outer layer, with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. Its trips run rain or shine but are cancelled for high winds or high seas, and passengers are told by email and text, then offered a new date or a full refund.
San Francisco Whale Tours runs the shortest trips. Its Golden Gate Whale Watch was on sale at $72 per adult on October 21, 2026 (regularly $120), plus a booking fee. Children 3 to 9 paid $54, and students, seniors 60 and over and military $60. The 4-hour winter trip was $80.25 with the fee included (regularly $150). Naturalists narrate, and its 65 ft catamaran Kitty Kat also runs private sunset charters for up to 49.
Oceanic Society's Farallon Islands day costs from $320 per person, for ages 10 and up, aboard the 60 ft Salty Lady, which is certified for 48 but usually carries about 33. Each trip has a whale expert, a seabird expert and a professional photographer, whose photos are included. Oceanic Society also charters the Salty Lady privately: $2,950 for a 3-hour Golden Gate trip for up to 35, or $6,950 for a 7.5-hour Farallon day.
In Half Moon Bay, the sportfishing boat Queen of Hearts runs 3-hour whale trips from January to March, usually on weekends, at 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, depending on weather and demand. It publishes no whale watch fare and books through Half Moon Bay Sportfishing & Tackle. None of the three operators states a sighting guarantee.
from $72 per adult
Golden Gate Whale Watch and 1 more option
Says every naturalist it uses is an expert narrator (naturalists, not marine biologists)
from $320 per person
Farallon Islands Whale Watching and 1 more option
Cites a 96% chance of seeing whales on Farallon trips April to November, based on 40 years of sightings data
Price on request
Whale Watching
Departures typically at 10:00am and 1:00pm
Prices and policies come from each operator's own pages, read on October 21, 2026. Seasons, rules and local details come from the pages below.
