Saturday, July 4, 2026

Not every whale watching trip includes a whale, and that's part of what makes wildlife encounters so special.

Our Fourth of July Whales of the Bay cruise took us on a beautiful journey across San Francisco Bay and beyond the Golden Gate in search of humpback whales. Captain Evan began the morning with scenic views of Alcatraz and Angel Island before making our way to "cetacean station," where we've had recent whale sightings. After spending time scanning the horizon, we continued out into the Pacific in hopes of finding humpbacks.

While the whales remained elusive this time, the bay was still full of life. We were treated to more harbor porpoises than we've seen on any cruise this season, with playful groups surfacing alongside the boat throughout the trip. Brown pelicans glided overhead, cormorants dotted the water, and a curious California sea lion swam in close to say hello.

As we made our way back into the bay, we enjoyed sweeping views of San Francisco's skyline before returning to Fisherman's Wharf.

Every trip on the water is different, and that's the beauty of whale watching. Nature doesn't follow a schedule, but every outing offers something unique. Whether it's an unforgettable humpback encounter or a bay full of porpoises and seabirds, there's always something to discover on San Francisco Bay.