Top Monterey & Carmel Nature and Wildlife Tours

With a 99% success rate, this is how you up your odds of seeing whales on your visit to Monterey. Onboard one of the industry’s most comfortable boats, you’ll float out to a protected sanctuary to view humpback whales, gray whales, blue whales, killer whales, sperm whales, and other wild creatures, including dolphins, sea turtles, sea lions, otters, and more.

Go on a spectacular whale watching tour of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary with your experienced captain narrating the entire way. The boats range from 53’ to 70’, and they are equipped with bathrooms and plenty of seating. Your captain will guide you through the bay and find where the whales are playing. You just need to be ready and waiting with your eyes and cameras.

Leave the mainland behind for the afternoon, and immerse yourself in the beauty of the Monterey Bay, on this family-friendly whale-watching excursion. Grab a lifejacket and hop aboard: With your marine biologist guide’s assistance, you’ll look out for orca and humpback whales, dolphins, seals and sea lions, and much more as you cruise. As you go, take in the coastal views, and relax in the sea breezes.

Book this group tour to spot whales breaching at Sunset in Monterey Bay. Each tour is led by a naturalist or marine biologist who will help to find the whales and tell you all about them. Sip provided coffee or tea while you cruise for around three hours looking for whales. You’ll also keep costs down by booking this shared tour.

Sea Goddess Whale Watching promises a once-in-a-lifetime whale watching experience. Our whale watching tours depart from Moss Landing, right at the mouth of the Monterey Bay Canyon, one of the largest underwater canyons in the world! This nutrient-rich zone attracts all types of marine life, making Moss Landing the best place for whale watching tours in the entire Monterey Bay. With many migratory whales, we’re able to offer guaranteed whale sightings year-round. Since we our tours depart out of Moss Landing – Less Travel Time than Monterey wharf departures, and More Whale Watching Time! The Biggest & Nicest Boats on Monterey Bay with 360 Degree walk around deck, interior cabin with windows and clean bathrooms Premium VIP Upper Deck seating available (best for viewing) Favorite Whale Watching Tour by both locals and tourists Marine Biologist Tour Guides to narrate your experience FREE parking on street if available

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a vibrant community that’s no doubt inspired by the dazzling scenery that surrounds it. Find your own sense of wonder and inspiration during this electric bike tour. Hop on two wheels and let the small yet strong motor power you as you pedal around the Golden Rectangle of Carmel-by-the-Sea. This oceanside ride is a great way to explore the air at a reasonable pace.

Look for whales during a boat tour from Monterey, the premier destination in northern California for winter whale watching. Learn about the majestic animals from a marine biologist or naturalist guide who shares detailed commentary about the whales, dolphins, sea lions, sea birds, and natural history of the region.

The Elkhorn Slough has the largest population of Sea Otters in California, and over 300 species of birds! We’ve been offering guided boat tours of this wetland for almost 30 years, and have an intimate knowledge of the area, its history, and it's wildlife. All our Naturalists have Marine Science degrees, and we are third party certified Wildlife Stewards, so you can be assured that we always conduct ourselves responsibly around the wildlife. Our stable, comfortable vessel is designed for unobstructed wildlife viewing, and we’ve been a preferred outfitter for many prominent wildlife photographers, like Frans Lanting and Suzi Eszterhas, to name a few. On our relaxing ride, no one gets sea sick, and our safety record is flawless. We also operate a large science and nature themed Gift Shop / Bookstore celebrating the Monterey Bay. Our shelves contain over 600 titles, many of which are 30-50% off the list price, plus attire, stuffed animals and souvenirs.

If you’re looking to explore Point Lobos but find yourself short on time, this Point Lobos Nature Hike from Carmel-by-the-Sea fits in big highlights in just a little amount of time. A guide knows the best ways around the wooded and cliff-filled areas so you can see more of its beauty. Plus, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife such as otters, seals, deer, and sealions while you hike along with your small group.

If you’d like to explore Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Scenic Road but don’t want to be stuck in a group tour, try this Carmel-by-the-Sea Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour. This tour allows you to download the VoiceMap app on your smartphone and listen to the tour as you walk along the road at your own pace. Highlights include the Clinton Walker House - Frank Lloyd Wright, Carmel Beach Overlook, and La Playa Carmel Hotel.

Welcome to the Point Lobos Beach Paradise Walking Tour, where we're about to embark on the ultimate coastal adventure. I'm your spirited tour guide, and let me just say, I am beyond stoked to have you all here with me today. Get ready for some serious fun in the sun, because we're about to explore the hidden gems of this stunning coastal paradise! First off, let me start by saying that Point Lobos is truly a slice of heaven on Earth. With its rugged cliffs, pristine sandy shores, and crystal-clear waters, this place is like a postcard come to life. Let me assure you, this ain't your average walking tour. We're diving headfirst into an action-packed adventure, where you'll get to soak up the sun! Don't worry about other people, this tour is completely tailored to you with the Pintours App! With our app, you can pause the tour, and check out the locations as long as you want! You can skip a stop you don't like, and you have all the best information about each stop at your fingertips.

Get the full California experience while you listen to this ultimate bundle of narrated audio Golden State drives. Enjoy the beauty of Lake Tahoe, seek celebrities in LA, and take a cruise down the rugged Pacific Coast Highway. In the Bay Area, cross the Golden Gate Bridge and hear stories of start-up success in Silicon Valley. For the best experience, stick to the route and suggested speed limit. Check opening hours before your visit.

Don’t miss any of the beautiful northern California spots around Monterey, including Carmel, Big Sur, and Pebble Beach with this private tour in a luxury vehicle. Avoid dealing with maps, traffic, and parking- your chauffeur will handle all of that. You decide where you want to visit and how long you’d like to stay, depending on your interests. Choose to see the Redwoods, go wine tasting, and so much more.

Explore the best of the American Southwest, from California to Texas and everything in between. Tour the majestic parks in Utah, explore the world’s first national park in Wyoming, drive around California, and much more on this exclusive Southwest bundle. Over 36+ self-guided tours to keep you engaged all summer and beyond. After booking, you can check your email before downloading the Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. The preceding steps require good internet/wifi access. Simply follow the audio instructions and the route from there. This is not an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit. New, extra validity — now, it’s yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

Looking for a little backcountry adventure with gorgeous views? Take an e-bike ride with us on the Old Coast Road Tour! From panoramic ocean views to the enchanted redwood forest, experience Big Sur on the pioneer’s wagon road. What once was a road for horses and wagons has evolved into a rough 4x4 dirt road that runs 10 miles through the hills and valleys of northern Big Sur. Much of the ride is through the middle of a 7,100 acre ranch that has been running cattle here since 1834. Depending on the season, there may be cows on the road! The hills are intense, so be ready to challenge your balance. Our powerful Pedego eBikes smooth out the daunting climbs. But riders over 180 lb should be prepared to pedal when climbing the hills. And be ready for some long descents on loose dirt (or mud in the winter). Local guides will make the ride come alive with fun info about the flora & fauna that we pass along the way. There's so much fun history that makes Big Sur special!

Explore Monterey as you play a scavenger hunt game with your smartphone during the 2-hour Monterey Puzzling Adventure. Proceed at your own pace with your own group of friends or family, using your skills to answer questions at a variety of locations in Monterey. You can stop the clock between questions in order to visit each location in depth. Simply download the game to your smartphone, and play when you’re ready.