Humpback whales feeding. Photo courtesy of the Center for Coastal Studies CoastalStudies.org
Center for Coastal Studies under NOAA permit # 16325
Humpback Whale ~ Drawing courtesy Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown
WHALES PLAYED AN IMPORTANT PART in Provincetown’s economy in the 19th century and this tradition is carried on today as thousands of whalewatchers depart from Provincetown each year to observe, rather than kill, these now endangered mammals in their natural habitat.
Whale watching as a science and tourist attraction started on the East coast in 1975 when scientist Stormy Mayo from the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies teamed up with charter fishing boat Captain Al Avellar to observe and study the three species of whales which are found in the waters around Provincetown: the fin, humpback, and right whale.
Fin and humpbacks are regularly seen from April to October, and scientists have discovered that Cape Cod Bay is an important breeding ground for the extremely rare North Atlantic right whale.
The Spring and Fall are excellent times to go whalewatching in addition to taking advantage of the restful off-season ambiance of Provincetown. All whale watching boats leave Provincetown Harbor from MacMillan Pier and Provincetown Marina (old Fisherman’s Wharf) in the Town Center. Summer is a great time to whale watch, too! Arrive early to ensure a parking space.
Right Whale ~ Drawing courtesy Dolphin Fleet of Provincetown
Gray seals swimming
simply click on the business name.
Everybody loves watching whales!
Beth Ann Boat Excursions
We offer a number of fishing trips – for striped bass, bluefish, and even tuna. We supply all the equipment you need, help you along if you are new to fishing, and fillet your catch for that nights dinner. We have all day, half day and a shorter condensed trips so we can fit into whatever your schedule dictates.
Whale watching, Beth Ann Boat Excursions, and Provincetown go hand in hand, and we offer you the opportunity to see these tremendous mammals up close and personal, but without the 250 other people you contend with on the big boats. We go where the whales are, and if we have to go a little further and stay out a little longer to give you a fantastic experience we will.
Looking for something different? Try our two hour Harbor or Sunset cruises, or thrill your kids with the Kids Sea Creature cruise. Or go bigger, and join us on our quest to find and watch the predator of the sea, the Great White Shark!
Our half day Fun in the Sun trip lets you enjoy the water and the beach without the crowds. Jump aboard, and before you know it we will be anchored within wading distance to the beach of your choice. Stay on the boat basking in the sun and taking the occasional refreshing dip in the sea, and listen to the tunes with your favorite drink and cuisine of choice.
Boston Harbor Cruises
Capt. Ralph & F.V. Odysea
Take a Boat Ride or Fishing Trip with Captain Ralph on the famous FV Odysea as seen on seasons 1, 2, 3 and 8 of National Geographic’s hit TV Show Wicked Tuna.
Provincetown Boat Rides for Fishing, Whale, Great White Shark and Seal Watching and Sightseeing and Sunset Cruises. Bring the whole family! Kick up your Summer vacation with a Cape Cod boat ride aboard the Odysea.
No vacation is complete without Provincetown boat rides. Schedule a stop in beautiful Cape Cod for an exciting trip across the beautiful waters of the Atlantic. At the helm is Brooklyn native Ralph Wilkins, the Captain of the Odysea,
a Cape Cod fishing and charter boat in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
The Odysea offers families, kids and small groups a memorable trip aboard the Odysea, including charter fishing trips, whale watching expeditions, sunset cruises, and sightseeing trips out of Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Booking trips everyday starting in spring, through summer, and ending late in the fall season.
Captain John Boats Provincetown Whale Watch
A first class on the water experience narrated by our talented naturalists who provide exciting commentary about each marine habitat and species you may encounter on the trip. Food, beverage and bar service available on board.
Our boats ensure optimal comfort and enjoyment for all passengers. Departs daily at noon daily in July and August.
Tickets can be purchased online at captjohn.com or visit us at our ticket booth on MacMillan Wharf.
Center for Coastal Studies
The Center is a pioneer in marine animal disentanglement, regional water quality monitoring, high resolution seafloor mapping, seal and fisheries research, marine debris and marine plastics studies, and some of the earliest and ongoing studies of land-sea interaction.
The Center’s newly renovated Hiebert Marine Laboratory is open year-round and features the only large whale skeleton on Cape Cod, that of Spinnaker, a 37-foot humpback whale who died of entanglement in 2015, as well as specialty books on marine science for sale. We also offer field walks, educational programs, beautifully designed apparel at our kiosk on MacMillan Pier in season, and the popular winter lecture series at Napi’s the last Wednesday of the month, October—May.
Dolphin Fleet Whale Watch
