Moss Landing Whales & Sea Otters
Boats leave right over the deep Monterey Canyon, so whales can show up minutes after you pass the jetty. Then watch rafts of sea otters nap at the mouth of Elkhorn Slough.
1.75 hrs drive · 1 day · Best for little kids to teens · Nov–Apr
Day 1: Whales, then otters
- 7:15 Leave SF via 101 and Hwy 156 to Hwy 1 (about 1.75 hrs)
- 8:45 Check in for the 9:30 whale watch (pay for the harbor parking permit or grab free street parking)
- 9:30 2 to 3 hours on the bay: humpbacks and dolphins in November, gray whales from December
- 12:30 Chowder and fish and chips on Hwy 1
- 1:45 Watch otter rafts from the small lot near the end of Jetty Road
- 2:45 Boardwalk at Kirby Park for close otters and shorebirds, no boat needed
- 4:00 Drive home (about 1.75 hrs)
From parents who have been
- Sanctuary Cruises' small 6-seat boat gets you close to the water, but it has no bathroom. With little kids, book their bigger boat or plan a potty stop right before. TripAdvisor Sanctuary Cruises reviews
- Seasickness still hits some people even with pills and wristbands. One family of six had one very sick and one queasy, so pack a change of clothes and bags. TripAdvisor Sanctuary Cruises reviews
- Blue Ocean's 60-ft boat is certified for 49 but caps trips at 28, so kids can get a rail spot. Reviewers said the main deck views were fine without paying for the upper deck. TripAdvisor Blue Ocean Whale Watch reviews
- For otters from shore, park in the small lot on the left near the end of Jetty Road by the otter sign. At lower tide they haul out on the sand below. Stay behind the ropes. Fodor's forum
- The Kirby Park boardwalk on Elkhorn Slough is one of the best close otter spots without a boat. Monterey Bay Parent
- If you kayak the slough instead, go in the morning because the wind picks up in the afternoon. Rental briefings ask you to stay 100 feet from otters and stop paddling if one pops up near you. Daytrippen Moss Landing
Good to know
- In November you are watching for humpbacks, not gray whales. The Nov 2025 Monterey Bay Whale Watch log had humpbacks on nearly every trip, orcas on five days and big groups of Risso's and Pacific white-sided dolphins, with no gray whales. Gray whales pass from December through April, peaking in January and March.
- Veterans Day (Wed Nov 11) works: Sea Goddess runs daily at 9:30, 12:30 and 3:30 (times vary by season). On Nov 11, 2025 (a weekday) trips ran and logged close humpback passes.
- Sea Goddess main deck is $69.95 for 12+ and $44.95 for ages 3–11 (upper deck $89.95 / $64.95), plus taxes and fees. Children under 3 are not allowed. Check in 45 minutes early. If no whale or dolphin is seen, you get a free rain check; there are no refunds.
- Wind cancels boats: in Nov 2025 there were no trips at all on Nov 5, 13, 17 and 20. The shore otter stops are your backup.
- Elkhorn Slough Reserve (1700 Elkhorn Rd) is free, open Wed–Sun 9 to 5 and closed Mon–Tue, so it is open on Veterans Day but closed on the MLK and Presidents' Day Mondays. More than 100 sea otters live in the slough. Docent walks are Sat and Sun at 10 and 11, with free loaner binoculars.
- Moss Landing State Beach is free, open 8 to sunset. Dogs are allowed only on Jetty Road, not the beach.
- Elkhorn Slough Safari is a 27-ft pontoon boat with a naturalist. A Viator listing shows about 1.5 to 2 hours, $46 per adult including fees, an 11:15 departure and a minimum age of 3 (not confirmed on the operator's own site).
Sources: Monterey Bay Whale Watch Nov 2025 sightings · See Monterey whale watching calendar · Sea Goddess whale watching cruise · Sea Goddess plan your day · CDFW Elkhorn Slough Ecological Reserve · CA State Parks Moss Landing SB · Moss Landing Harbor: Elkhorn Slough Safari · Viator/Travelocity Elkhorn Slough Safari listing