Discovery Whale Watch
We strive to provide our passengers with an inspiring and educational experience on Monterey Bay.
Our Story
Randy’s Fishing Trips & Whale Watching, a long-standing institution at Old Fisherman’s Wharf since 1949 and operated by Peter Bruno since 1981, changed ownership in 2017 and became two new companies: Discovery Whale Watch and J&M Sport Fishing. Randy’s was one of Monterey Bay’s top whale watching and sport fishing outfits.
J&M Sport Fishing specializes in sport fishing trips for species such as salmon, rock cod, ling cod, Dungeness crab, sand dabs, squid, mackerel, and halibut. They currently have three fishing boats: Chubasco, New Horizon, and Kahuna, and their primary whale watching boat, Pacifica.
Discovery Whale Watch offers daily 3-4-hour whale watching trips narrated by a marine biologist/naturalist, along with ash scattering trips, private charters, and other outings. Their mission is to provide an inspiring, educational experience on Monterey Bay. Trips are weather permitting and explore various locations within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. All 4 of our boats can run whale watching trips!
Why Choose Us?
Our crew is experienced, knowledgeable, and passionate about marine life. Many have worked in the Monterey whale watching industry for years, bringing together expertise from across the West Coast. Click here to meet the Crew
Monterey Harbor, situated at the protected southern end of Monterey Bay, is the perfect starting point for our 3.5-4 hour tours. From here, we can explore the entire bay and search for wildlife along the Pacific Grove coast and into Carmel Bay, rich feeding grounds for whales, dolphins, and seabirds.
Join us in participating in citizen science! Learn how to take and submit photos for humpback whale research with Happywhale. Your involvement helps contribute to vital research while enjoying your trip.
Safety is our top priority. We provide life jackets for all children aged 6 and under or those weighing 60 pounds or less. Our vessels undergo regular maintenance, are U.S. Coast Guard certified, and are inspected annually to ensure the highest safety standards.
Our naturalists on board every trip stay current on the latest marine research and are dedicated to sharing up-to-date information with our guests. They communicate scientific knowledge in an accessible way, enriching your experience with the latest discoveries about local wildlife.
We welcome guests of all ages, though we ask pregnant women to join us after their baby is born. For those with limited mobility, please note there are about 13 steps to navigate to the boarding area, and tide levels may affect the step onto the boat. We use steps to make boarding as level as possible.
Discovery Whale Watch stays at the forefront of industry technology. We continuously update our vessels, web resources, and services to provide the best possible experience for our guests.