Gift Certificates

Any Dollar amount!

For any Stagnaro Trip

Call (831) 427-0230

Gift certificate doesn't guarantee a spot on a specific trip. Reservations required

Now! Marine Whildlife Encounters!

Marine Wildlife Encounters


Welcome Aboard!

COVID-19: Stagnaro Charters is committed to community health and safety. Continuous sanitation of our boats and equipment takes place before, during and after each trip.

Book your tickets now and enjoy the fresh sea air with whales, dolphins, sharks, otters, sea lions, birds and more, on our beautiful Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. From your Captain, crew, naturalists and staff, WELCOME ABOARD!

For Recent Sightings and photos check out our Facebook page: Santa Cruz Whale Watching by Stagnaro Charters OR Instagram; @santacruzwhalewatching

  • Santa Cruz Whale Watching Slider 1
  • Santa Cruz Whale Watching Slider 2
  • Santa Cruz Whale Watching Slider 4
  • Santa Cruz Whale Watching Slider 5
  • Santa Cruz Whale Watching Slider 7

Join us on our Santa Cruz & Monterey Whale Watching Trips & Sea Life Excursions & "Sea For Yourself". Climb aboard the 60 foot Velocity, or 56 foot Legacy. Both of our luxury charter boats will let you experience the Monterey Bay area like never before! Year round, we take you to the heart of whale territory as we spot these magnificent creatures and much more!

Book your trip today! Book online now or call (831) 427-0230

Rated 4.5 stars by hundreds of past guests!

Santa Cruz Whale Watching offers seven different species of Whales and seven different species of Dolphin & Porpoise year-round. The Humpback Whale is the most common whale found out of Santa Cruz, seen usually from April through November. Then from December through April, over 20,000 Gray Whales pass through our waters off of Monterey Bay. Sea Lions, Seals, Otters and nearly one hundred different species of sea birds, both endemic and migratory, are common; Even Sea Turtles, Jellies, Sunfish (mola mola) and Sharks at times can be seen at the surface. Our boat, the Velocity, can quickly and safely bring guests to wherever these animals are—from the shores of Monterey to Moss Landing and points North.

Book your trip today! Book online now or call (831) 427-0230

The most common whale spotted out of Monterey Bay is the Humpback whale, usually seen from April through November. Monterey Bay whale watching also means that from December through April, you will get to observe the Gray Whales; over 20,000 Gray Whales pass through our waters off of Santa Cruz in Monterey Bay.

The Stagnaro family has been serving the Monterey Bay and Santa Cruz area for over a century when Italian Patriarch Cottardo Stagnaro settled in Santa Cruz in 1879 by providing Ocean Adventures to thousands of people each year, and now by offering the best Monterey Bay whale watching cruise to interested parties on their luxurious charter boat. Even if whale watching in Monterey Bay is not your cup of tea per se, Stagnaro Charters has ensured that there is something for everyone to enjoy: Calm Water Sanctuary Scenic Cruises, Dolphin and Sea Life Excursions, Sunset Cruises, San Francisco Day Trips, and even Private Group outings. And all of the trips are fully narrated, providing fascinating and educational insight by the crew. Enjoy Monterey Bay in style with Stagnaro Charter and we guarantee that you will be thrilled by your experience and exceptional service provided by the crew.

Book your trip today! Book online now or call (831) 427-0230