San Francisco Whale Tours vs Oceanic Society
Two whale watching operators in San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, California. San Francisco Whale Tours starts at $72 and Oceanic Society at $320. Here is how their options line up on length, group size, age rules and cancellation.
San Francisco Whale Tours
- Says every naturalist it uses is an expert narrator (naturalists, not marine biologists)
- Golden Gate Whale Watch is scheduled March to October, the 4-hour 'and Beyond' trip November to February
- Winter route depends on the wildlife that day and may reach the Marin coast and Point Reyes
- No food or drinks included; beer and wine allowed, hard alcohol not
- Sunset private charters on the 65 ft Kitty Kat for up to 49 guests (price not listed)
Golden Gate Whale Watch
- From
- $72 per adult
- Length
- 2 hours 30 minutes
Golden Gate Whale Watch and Beyond
- From
- $80.25 per adult
- Length
- 4 hours (description says 3-4 hours)
Oceanic Society
- Cites a 96% chance of seeing whales on Farallon trips April to November, based on 40 years of sightings data
- Each Farallon trip carries a whale expert, a seabird expert and a professional photographer
- Ran weekend Half Moon Bay gray whale trips January to March in 2025 (3 hours from Pillar Point Harbor, up to 33 passengers, 86% sighting rate cited)
- Private 7.5-hour Farallon Islands charter costs $6,950 for up to 35
Farallon Islands Whale Watching
- From
- $320 per person
- Length
- 8 hours (check-in 8:00am, departs 8:30am, back about 4:30pm)
- Group
- up to 48 passengers, typically about 33
- Min age
- 10
- Cancellation
- Runs rain or shine; if cancelled for high winds or seas, passengers can reschedule or get a full refund
Golden Gate Whale Watching Charter
- From
- $2,950 per group
- Length
- 3 hours
- Group
- up to 35
- Cancellation
- Refund minus the 50% deposit if cancelled 10+ days out; none within 10 days; weather cancellations fully refunded
Both checked against the operators' own pages on 2026-10-21. See every operator in San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, California.