Leave the concrete jungle behind and set sail from Manhattan’s Pier 36 on a whale-watching adventure you’d never expect this close to the city. The route takes you past NYC icons—the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Coney Island—before heading out into the Atlantic, where humpback, finback, and minke whales (and sometimes dolphins and sharks) put on a show in their natural habitat. A naturalist on board will help explain what you’re seeing, while a guide keeps you looped in on the city sights.

Comfortable indoor seating, open-air decks, and snacks for sale make it easy to settle in and enjoy the ride. Whether it's your first whale sighting or your fiftieth, it's a rare chance to see the wild side of New York from the water.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome
• Health limitations: Not recommended for individuals prone to severe motion sickness; consider taking medication in advance
• Physical limitations: Not wheelchair accessible

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: Children ages 2–11 must have a child ticket; infants (0–1) must sit on laps
• Individuals with disabilities: This experience is not wheelchair accessible; strollers are allowed
• Dietary restrictions: Food is available for purchase, but dietary preferences are not guaranteed
• Pets: Sorry, no pets allowed; service animals are not permitted on the vessel

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: 3.5 hours
• What’s included:
  • Whale Watching Cruise from Manhattan
  • Onboard Naturalist to explain marine mammal behavior
  • Local tour guide pointing out major landmarks
  • Views of the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, Freedom Tower, and more
  • Outdoor and indoor seating
  • Scenic and photo opportunities of marine life and New York Harbor
• Who will be present: Licensed tour guide and naturalist onboard; capacity varies by vessel
• Spectators: No spectators allowed without a paid reservation
• Photo/ video: Photography is encouraged—bring your camera!
• Specific rules to follow: Smoking is not permitted; guests may be denied boarding if under the influence of alcohol or drugs

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: Rain or shine, the experience will be running
• Arrival: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before departure; check-in closes 5 minutes before scheduled time
• Parking: Public transportation is recommended; limited parking may be available nearby Pier 36
• What to wear: Comfortable shoes and layered clothing; it may be chilly on the water even in warm weather
• What to bring:
  • Water bottle
  • Binoculars
  • Camera
  • Sunhat and sunscreen
  • Warm jacket or sweatshirt
• Restrooms/ lockers/ changing rooms: Restrooms are available onboard; no lockers or changing facilities provided

Anything else I should know before going on this experience?

• Food and drinks (e.g., soft drinks, hot dogs, pretzels, snacks) are available for purchase onboard
• Late arrivals will not be refunded
• Cruises depart from Slip 4 at Pier 36 (299 South St, NYC); access by walking around either side of the building

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for anything else in our marketplace, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference, but if you choose one that costs less, you'll receive a credit towards your next booking.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 24 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 24 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.