Blue Ocean Whale Watching — Attraction in Watsonville Water Treatment Plant

I just had my second trip today with Blue Ocean Whale Watch. The first trip was 4 hours second was 3. The first was so amazing I didn't think it was possible to top it and was just going to enjoy being on the ocean. I was so wrong thankfully. We started seeing a few whales but were off as Captain Kate found a big pod of dolphins, we enjoyed them as they leaped with joy out of the water and road the bow so we could really see them close up.

When we moved on we encountered a feeding frenzy of sea lions and birds and many whales feeding together. It was magical. After awhile we moved on And found another group of whales feeding. We could see them, hear them and were surrounded by so many whales. It was so fabulous. This was a shorter trip than the morning so thought ok we are almost done. Captain Kate said I am going to go in this direction as I think I see something out there. We moved quickly and to all of out astonishment Capt Kate found a pod of over. 5,000 dolphins! That is not a typo! They were leaping out of the water on both sides whi,e many were bow riding so we were really close to them. There were moms babies, a few were tying the knot underwater. I have been on 100s of whale watches all over the world and this was a first. It was so joyful I was in tears of happiness. We stayed with them for long enough that everyone felt their heart fulfilled. If you were on another whale watching boat in Moss Landing or anywhere the chances if you seeing this are slim, Kate owns her boat and loves sharing her love of the ocean and animals in it, she goes out of her way to find many different animal encounters and the trip said 2-3 hours she will stay out the whole time to find the most amazing wildlife encounters. Brian is the naturalist. He is knowledgeable, caring and wonderful. He stops talking when we encounter whales, dolphins etc so we can enjoy the experience. I have been on too many whale watches where the naturalist continues to talk about facts over the microphone so we don't hear the breath of the whale and we cannot enjoy the experience we are having. Before I found Kate I experienced this many times in Monterrey, It spoils the trip. I always wanted to tell them to be quiet but instead I kept looking for the right whale watching exoerience,

Kate takes less people than capacity so we have much more room and don't feel like sardines, i appreciate this. The boat is also really comfortable.

Today on the water was one of the best days of my life, I shared with Brian who needs to go to Alaska to whale watch when we have Blue Ocean whale watch here in our backyard, i am not related to Kate and am not compensated I love to share with people when I find something I love and whales and dolphins are my passion., . I wish you the best...

Friends who have gone on numerous Blue Ocean whale watching tours invited us to join them on a tour in late March. I used a Groupon and Kate quickly responded to my booking request.

On the tour, we saw two humpbacks feeding on anchovies soon after leaving the harbor. Then thanks to communications from a research boat nearby, our captain booked it to meet up with a rare sighting — two dozen transient killer whales. The pod last appeared in Monterey Bay in 2000 and 2011 hunting for salmon. We got splashed (legs, face, etc.) while speeding to catch the pod but it was worth it!

I believe they offer a guarantee if you don’t see a whale. They can afford this because the nutrient-rich waters of the bay are excellent feeding areas.

I’ve experienced motion sickness and hesitated on the excursion. They provide an oil to help avoid motion sickness. That along with Dramamine and focusing on the horizon kept my sickness at bay. I was exhausted after the tour, though.

I’d recommend this tour group as they are very knowledgeable. Additionally, they understand photography and position the boat for the best photo. Prior to our tour, I didn’t think about taking photos (on an iPhone) AND hanging onto a railing. Someone lost their iPhone (probably into the water, sadly for the owner and environment). Kate instructed us to act like a tripod — two feet and a hand touching the boat. So, that’s something to consider along with a set of warm clothes to change into if you have any...

We've been out with this outfit about 10 times over the last few years. The crew is friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. We always see something new and learn something new. This is an amazing place to see a wide variety of sea life. We have seen humpbacks on every day we've been out, dolphins, sea lions, otters, sunfish and orca - not to mention a variety of sea birds and also jellyfish.

The boat has an upper deck that is great for getting pictures on all sides of the craft, a lower enclosed space (if you want to warm up/ get out of the sun). and lots of space around the sides of the main deck for viewing.

A few practical notes: there's a bathroom in the parking lot before getting on the boat. Making a pit stop before boarding is best - you don't want to be below deck when something exciting happens! The boat does have a bathroom on board, which was very clean anytime we needed to use one.

The water out in the bay can be choppy. We wear acupressure wrist bands and have never had a problem on the boat - even on very rough days. The crew provides several ginger products (for a price) and an essential oil (for free) that helps with seasickness, but I have observed that some people may need more to stay comfortable on a...