Whales return in early May and trips run into early November, at $68 per adult with either company. Stellwagen Bank lies 8 to 12 miles out, and 7 Seas says the ride takes 45 to 60 minutes each way.
Dark months are the peak for that species, light months are the rest of its season. October is marked.
| Species | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback whale | January: not usually seen | February: not usually seen | March: not usually seen | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: not usually seen | December: not usually seen |
| Fin whale | January: not usually seen | February: not usually seen | March: not usually seen | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: not usually seen | December: not usually seen |
| Minke whale | January: not usually seen | February: not usually seen | March: not usually seen | April: in season | May: in season | June: in season | July: in season | August: in season | September: in season | October: in season | November: not usually seen | December: not usually seen |
Peak In season
From 7seas-whalewatch.com. Whales turn up outside these months too.
| Operator | What you get | From | Length | Group | Min age | Boat | If no whales | Cancellation | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Whale WatchIncludes Dock talk, narration and photo review by a marine naturalist |
$68 per adult |
About 3 to 4 hours |
PRIVATEER IV (length and capacity not stated) | Voucher for a free whale watch, usable any time in the future, if no whales are seen | Check dates | ||||
Whale Watch |
$68 per adult |
3 to 4 hours |
Hurricane II, 115 ft, upper and lower observation decks | If no whales are seen, your party can return free for life until you do; no refunds | Trips are subject to change due to weather and demand; refund terms are not stated on the site. | Check dates |
From each operator's own website, checked October 21, 2026. How we compare.
7 Seas Whale Watch leaves from Seas Wharf, 63 Rogers Street, in downtown Gloucester, where two municipal lots beside the dock charge $5 for the day. Cape Ann Whale Watch sails from 415 Main Street, about half a mile off Route 128, and has free parking a few steps from the boat, with no meters. 7 Seas warns that Route 128 North into town can be slow on summer weekends, so allow extra time.
The Cape Ann chamber puts Stellwagen Bank eight miles from Gloucester and says Jeffreys Ledge and Tillies Bank are closer still. Cape Ann Whale Watch describes Stellwagen as about 12 miles off the coast. 7 Seas says the run to the feeding grounds takes 45 to 60 minutes each way, with about 1.5 hours spent on Stellwagen Bank. The chamber adds that each trip includes narration on the way through Gloucester Harbor.
Humpback, finback and minke whales are the common sightings on the Cape Ann chamber's list, with sei whales irregular and North Atlantic right whales rare. The chamber says whales come back in early May and trips continue until early November, weather permitting. 7 Seas calls April through October the best time for large whales offshore and notes that humpbacks head south in winter, as far as the Caribbean.
The chamber's longer list includes long-finned pilot whales, harbor porpoises and Atlantic white-sided, common, bottlenose and grampus (Risso's) dolphins, along with sea turtles, ocean sunfish and basking and blue sharks. Cape Ann Whale Watch says blue whales are seldom seen off Gloucester. Seabirds on the list include shearwaters, petrels, northern fulmars, jaegers, skuas and puffins, and 7 Seas mentions harbor seals and shortfin mako sharks.
From early April through June the ocean is still very cold and breezes feel chilly, so the Cape Ann chamber recommends warm clothes and gloves. In July and August it suggests sunglasses, sunblock and a sweater or light jacket, since offshore can run 10 to 20 degrees cooler than land. 7 Seas puts the difference at 10 to 15 degrees F and asks for layers, a warm jacket and rubber-soled shoes or sneakers.
Both boats have heated cabins, though 7 Seas notes that most passengers want to be out on deck, and its only seasickness advice is to bring medication or a patch. Phone signal is limited once the boat is offshore. The chamber suggests carrying just a daypack and wearing sneakers or other shoes with good grip, and 7 Seas asks for a camera with plenty of memory and a full battery.
Fares are nearly identical: both companies charge $68 for adults, $63 for seniors and $53 for children, and $10 for the youngest. The age bands differ. 7 Seas counts adults from 18, seniors from 55 and children from 3 to 17, and sells $58 tickets to students, military and AAA members. Cape Ann Whale Watch counts adults as 17 to 59, seniors from 60 and juniors 4 to 16, and takes $5 off adult fares for AAA, CAA, AARP, college students and military.
Cape Ann Whale Watch runs the 115 ft Hurricane II, which it calls the largest and fastest whale watch boat north of Boston. It has over 400 ft of rail on two decks, a heated cabin, a full galley with hot meals and a bar, and picnic lunches are allowed. The company describes onboard educators and teaching tools for children, and the chamber says each Gloucester company carries a naturalist. Its guarantee lets a party come back free until it sees whales.
7 Seas sails PRIVATEER IV, which it calls spacious and modern without giving size or capacity, and says it has worked from the same dock for over 70 years. A marine naturalist narrates every trip, and boarding ramps give wheelchair access to the main deck, bow, stern and galley. The company claims a sighting success rate over 99%. If no whales are seen, passengers get a voucher for a free whale watch, usable any time. Its snack bar is cash only at sea. Private whale watch charters of 4 to 5 hours need a $200 deposit, refundable up to 15 days ahead.
from $68 per adult
Whale Watch
Claims an over 99% sighting success rate
from $68 per adult
Whale Watch
Operating since 1979; calls itself the pioneer of whale watching in Gloucester
Prices and policies come from each operator's own pages, read on October 21, 2026. Seasons, rules and local details come from the pages below.