Newport Beach Whale Watching Guide

1. Ticket Booking (I chose a standard 2–2.5 hour whale watching ticket) Option 1: Search directly on Google. We went with a company called Davey’s Locker. We booked the 2:30 PM tour, and the price was $48 per person 🔪. Option 2: Book via Taobao. However, this requires booking at least 2 days in advance. The price is cheaper, but I’m not sure about its reliability—I didn’t try this option. Option 3: Buy tickets on-site. In my experience, there aren’t too many people right now, so you should be able to get tickets on the spot easily. 2. Preparation Hat (preferably one with a chin strap—wind on the sea is strong! 🧢) Sunglasses 🕶️ Thick jacket: If you’re wearing a camisole dress underneath, opt for a fleece-lined one; if you’re in a regular short-sleeve shirt, a non-fleece jacket is enough. Motion sickness pills (optional—bring them only if you’re prone to motion sickness 🚢) Snacks and water: It’s recommended to bring some to pass the time; you can also buy them on the boat if needed 🍪💧 3. Boarding the Boat The official website says to arrive 1 hour early, but if you’re taking a taxi (not driving), arriving 15 minutes early is more than enough. If you bought tickets online in advance, go straight to pick them up when you arrive. The ticket pickup spot is like a small shop—find the third door to the left of the ticket window. If you can’t locate it, just ask at the ticket window directly. After getting your tickets, there are public pens on the cabinet to the left of the ticket pickup counter. Write your name on the ticket (just follow the staff’s instructions). Walk out the door, and you’ll see the line for boarding the boat—join it directly! 4. Choosing a Seat Once on board, just pick a seat on the first floor—there’s no need to pay extra for VIP tickets or rush to grab seats on the second floor. Watching whales and dolphins up close from the first floor is far more stunning! The chance of seeing dolphins is quite high 🐬; whales are a bit harder to spot, but you’ll very likely see sea lions 🦭. About 20 minutes before the boat docks, it’s recommended to stand on the right side of the boat (when facing the bow). That’s where the buoys that sea lions love to lounge on are located. Some Extra Tips Check the weather forecast in advance before booking tickets—preferably choose a sunny day ☀️. Many websites record the number of whales and dolphins spotted each tour; you can check this beforehand and pick a time when whales are seen more frequently. Don’t eat too much before departure—otherwise, you might feel nauseous. If you want to take good photos 📸, bring a thicker jacket. Head to the bow or stern where there’s sunlight, and snap photos quickly (it’s very windy and cold out there!). Finally, wish everyone a smooth trip—and may you spot whales! 😄 #NewportBeach #WhaleWatchingGuide #WhaleAndDolphinWatching