Trip Highlights
About This Trip
Departure Details: San Francisco Marina Yacht Harbor | (Near Marina Green Park) | Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday | April - November | 8:00am Check-In | 8:30am Departure | 4:00pm Return
Farallon Islands Whale Watching Trip Details: Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge led by wildlife experts to the Farallon Islands, one of the most biodiverse marine environments on the planet. See and learn more about whales, sea lions and seabirds with Oceanic Society due to our reduced passenger capacity and 52 years of experience leading trips to the Farallones. Included in the day are free wildlife photos taken by our professional photographer shared with you right after the trip concludes. For more information, read our Detailed Trip Itinerary.
Fin whale (top). White-sided dolphin | Tufted Puffin | Humpback whale (bottom left to right). Photos like these are included in your ticket price!
About Us: Oceanic Society is a nonprofit that has been leading Farallon Islands trips since 1972. Proceeds from ticket sales go back into our conservation programs such as whale & sea turtle research, plastic pollution removal, and ocean access for under-resourced student groups. Thank you for your support!
Our Boat: The iconic, 60-foot Salty Lady. An exceptionally stable vessel with ample viewing deck space and comfortable indoor amenities. Perfect for offshore adventures.
Private Trips Available: We also offer private whale watch charters for your social or business event. Learn more here and start planning today.
Trip Capacity: ~33 passengers (about 67% of our 60-foot boat's legal limit of 48 passengers)
Whale Sightings Likelihood: There is a 96% chance of seeing whales April-November (based on the past 40 years of Oceanic Society sightings data)
Age Limit: Age minimum 10
Departure Location: San Francisco Yacht Harbor | Marina District | (3950 Scott Street, San Francisco, CA 94123)
Parking: Free on site | For Parking Diagram & Additional Trip Details Click Here
Any Questions?: Email whales@oceanicsociety.org and get a fast response!
Clothing: With the potential for fog, wind and spray please wear waterproof shoes and outer layer. Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen are also essential.
Food & Beverages: Coffee and tea are provided on board the boat. Please bring your own food. Alcohol is discouraged, but not prohibited. Backpacks are fine, but please, no coolers due to space limitations.
Weather: Trips go rain or shine, but may be cancelled due to high winds and/or high seas. All passengers will be notified via email and text should we need to cancel and you will have the option to reschedule or receive a full refund.
Policies: For cancellation policy, refund and reschedule policy, and other important terms, read our detailed Terms and Conditions.
Awards & Recognition
We are proud to have been recognized with a 2025 Travelers’ Choice Award from Tripadvisor, placing us among the top 10% of things to do worldwide! See our TripAdvisor profile here.
Conservation Impact
Oceanic Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ocean conservation. Your participation in our whale watch helps fund conservation efforts, such as our Conservation Scholars Program, which delivers life-changing ocean experiences free of charge to underserved student groups and communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. We also use our whale watching cruises as an opportunity to collect photographic identification data on marine mammals, which we share with a network of researchers throughout the eastern Pacific. You can see our recently photographed whales on Happywhale and learn more about whale fluke identification here. Learn more about Oceanic Society here.
Dates & Pricing
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Itinerary
Ship
Salty Lady
The Salty Lady is a 60-foot U.S. Coast Guard certified vessel with a maximum capacity of 48 passengers. She is a remarkably stable vessel, well-suited to the demands of open ocean operation with ample observation deck space as well. Comfortable diner-s…
Naturalist(s)
Your expedition will be led by one or more of the following expert naturalist guides:
