Whale Watching in Santa Barbara
Our Santa Barbara whale watching tours are perfect for all ages and provide a unique on-the-water experience to get up close with some of the largest creatures on the planet.
Winter brings these gentle giants to the water just beyond the Sailing Center’s shores every year, and guests love to experience whale watching in Santa Barbara.
The Santa Barbara Channel is home to an incredible assortment of marine mammals including over 30 species of whales and dolphins. The most common whales sighted on our whale watching adventures are the majestic 45-ft long Pacific grey whales. At times, we also see the enormous blue whales, which can reach up to 100 ft in length and are the largest animals on the planet. On most of our whale watching trips, we see common, risso and bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, harbor seals, and other marine life. Occasionally, we are even lucky enough to spot orcas, humpback whales, minke, and pilot whales.
Pacific Gray Whales
Each year, an estimated 28,000 Pacific gray whales journey through the channel as they migrate between Alaska and Baja California. On their way south, they pass by the Channel Islands, about 26 miles off the Santa Barbara coast. Beginning mid-February, as they make their way north again, the mothers and calves stay close to the Santa Barbara coastline, just a few hundred yards off shore. Join us for the experience of a lifetime as we journey alongside these magnificent animals on a 2.5 hour whale watching excursion.
Blue and Humpback Whales
From July through September, the blue and humpback whales visit the area to feed on the krill produced in the Santa Barbara Channel. In recent years, our channel has seen the largest concentration of blue whales in the world, in addition to a large number of humpback whales, which are typically seen off the coast of Hawaii. Whether you live in Santa Barbara or you’re just visiting, you owe it to yourself and your family to come whale watching aboard the Double Dolphin. Along with our regular cast of dolphins, sea lions, and other fantastic marine life, it is a treat you are sure to remember.
Santa Barbara Channel Marine Wildlife Facts
- The Santa Barbara Channel is home to an incredible assortment of marine mammals, including over 30 species of whales, dolphins, porpoises, and pinnipeds.
- Offshore pelagic and coastal shorebirds flock to the channel and the offshore islands during migratory and nesting times year-round.
- During the Double Dolphin’s Whale Watching season, we set out in search of the most common whale sighted off the West coast of North America: the Pacific gray whale.
- Pacific gray whales reach about 49 feet in length, weigh approximately 90,000 pounds, and can live over 75 years!
- The gray whale has one of the longest annual migrations of any mammal on the planet, averaging 10,000 miles round-trip Alaska to Mexico.
- Annually, over 25,000 individual gray whales pass through the protected coastal waters of Santa Barbara, California from mid-February through mid-May.
- The Santa Barbara Channel is where commercial Whale Watching started, with sightings possible year-round. Whether aboard a public Whale Watching excursion or a private yacht for a multi-day Channel Islands Getaway, you are sure to receive a National Geographic worthy wildlife viewing of a lifetime!
The Double Dolphin
The view is better from the water! Our 50 ft sailing Catamaran, The Double Dolphin, casts off almost daily for coastal cruises, Music on the Water cruises, and more. Her 1400 square feet of deck space and dual-hull construction make her comfortable, stable, and safe.
With a 49 passenger capacity, we have plenty of room for a large party. On board, you will find wine, beer, champagne, water, sodas, and gourmet snacks. There are two restrooms for your convenience.
Come and enjoy America’s Riviera while sailing alongside an entourage of sea lions, dolphins, whales, and birds. It’s a sensational sea story you will tell again and again.
Bar Menu
WINE
Mionetto Prosecco Brut
$14.55 Glass
Margerum Sybarite Blanc
$18.19 Glass | $54.56 Bottle
Whispering Angel Rosé
$18.19 Glass | $54.56 Bottle
Mer Soleil Chardonnay
$19.40 Glass | $58.20 Bottle
Justin Cabernet Sauvignon
$20.61 Glass | $60.62 Bottle
COCKTAILS – Ready-to-Drink (RTD)
Margarita $14.55
Espresso Martini $14.55
Grapefruit Paloma $14.55
BEER
Dos Topas Lager $9.70/bottle
Chief Peak IPA $9.70
Stella Artois $9.70
BEVERAGES
Still or Sparkling Water $6.06 per bottle/can
Soft Drinks $6.06
Hot Drinks $6.06
SNACKS
Assorted Nuts $7.28
Chips & Cookies $3.64
Ginger Chews $11.52
Pricing includes tax. All menus are subject to change.
For Your Comfort and Safety
- Dress in layers as it tends to be cooler on the water.
- Wear comfortable, non-marking soled shoes.
- Bring a camera, sunscreen, sunglasses, and binoculars if you have them (especially for Whale Watching).
- Motion sickness medication should be taken according to the manufacturer’s directions.
- There is a bar on board for your convenience.
- Prices are subject to taxes and fees. We accept major credit cards only. We do not accept cash.
- Please arrive 20-30 minutes early to check in for your cruise.
- Please Note reservations are required for all public cruises.
- You may park in the Santa Barbara Harbor. The cost is $3 per hour with a $18 maximum charge per 24 hour period. You need to keep your parking ticket and pay upon exiting. The lot is a Santa Barbara City Lot.
Attention: Bringing your own alcoholic beverages is NOT permitted on any Double Dolphin Public Cruises.
Policies
Payment and Reservation Policy
100% non-refundable payment is due at the time of booking. We accept all major debit/credit cards. We do not accept cash.
Cancellation Policy
Purchases are 100% non-refundable. Refunds are not available for any cancellations. We highly recommend trip insurance which can be purchased upon booking. In the event you need to cancel or reschedule, you can contact us 72 HOURS before the scheduled event time for a house credit, this includes all activities at the Santa Barbara Sailing Center. Any classes, private charters, and camps that are rescheduled are subject to a 10% rebooking fee. No-shows will not receive a refund or house credit for any cruise, charter, class, camp or rentals. If you are running late for a public cruise and call before we close (9-6pm summer, 9-5pm winter), you will receive a house credit that never expires.
House Credit
We are very generous that we do not put a timeline on house credits. Most companies have a one-year expiration, our house credits do not expire. We recommend you use it ASAP. House credits redeemed at a later date are subject to paying the difference in the current cost of the cruise, charter, class, camp, or rentals. If pricing is higher, you will have to pay the difference from your initial payment. If the pricing is lower, you can only apply the house credit to the activity amount you initially purchased. You will not be refunded the difference.
Membership Cancellation Policy
All memberships auto-bill on the first of each month. If you would like to cancel your membership at any point, you must submit written notice before the first of the month. We cannot offer any refunds or credits for dues already charged.
Liability Waiver Forms
Before participating in water activities, all participants must sign a release of liability form.
Major Holidays
Any charter, class, camp, or rentals that are booked for a major holiday will be 100% non-refundable. We highly recommend trip insurance that can be purchased upon booking. These holidays consist of the following: Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
Specialty Cruises
Purchases are 100% non-refundable. Refunds are not available for any cancellations. If you need to cancel and contact us 72 HOURS before the scheduled cruise, you will receive house credit. Within 72 hours of the scheduled cruise, no refunds will be applied. We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance that can be purchased upon booking.
These Specialty Cruises consist of the following: Valentines Day, Music on the Water, Sipping on the Sea, Parade of Lights and New Year’s Eve.
Weather Policy
We cannot control the weather and acts of mother nature (i.e. rain, stormy seas, fog, fires, mudslides, harbor closures etc.) If weather or acts of mother nature occur, you will NOT receive a refund, you will receive house credit to use in the future. The cancellation will be determined by the Captain, Instructor, or Manager. We highly recommend purchasing trip insurance upon booking.
Cannabis Policy
Although California state law currently allows prescription and recreational cannabis to be legal, it is not legal while boating since the ocean is considered Federal Water. All illegal drugs, as well as all forms of cannabis, are not permitted on any boat for any reason in any amount. The Charterer/Renter will be held liable for the full value of the vessel should anything happen to the boat, as well as loss of income.
Alcohol Policy
Hard alcohol is not permitted aboard the Double Dolphin under any circumstances. No outside alcohol may be brought on the Double Dolphin for public cruises.. Wine can be brought aboard the Double Dolphin for private charters only. Each bottle is subject to a $25 corkage fee and no bottle over 750 ml will be permitted. No other outside alcohol is allowed. Hard alcohol, wine, and beer are all permitted aboard Private Skippered Charters free of charge.
Capacity Policy
Private charters aboard our Catalinas may have a maximum of 6 guests (not including captain) on board at all times. The Double Dolphin may have a maximum of 49 passengers (not including captain and crew) on board at all times. Infants count as a full passenger according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Kayak/SUP Policy
Everyone participating in kayak or paddle activities must be a strong swimmer. Please see our website for equipment weight capacity. It is the renter’s responsibility to make sure the equipment is not overloaded. All minors 18 years or younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times while paddling or kayaking.
Catering Order Policy
All catering orders are 100% non-refundable and must be placed at least 96 hours prior to your scheduled departure date. If your charter is canceled for any reason, your catering order will be made available for pick up at our office.