Private Whale Watching Tour, San Francisco (Up to 6 Guests)
A private 3-hour whale watching tour from Hyde Street Harbor for up to 6 guests. $1,050 for the whole boat. Captain Molly plans the route around recent sightings.
Whale watching on a private boat
A 3-hour private whale watching tour from Hyde Street Harbor at Fisherman's Wharf, for up to 6 guests and no one else. Gray whales pass San Francisco from December into June, and humpback and blue whales feed off the coast from March through November. $1,050 for the whole boat. Book online.
Where the whales are
Whales follow a seasonal migration. Some days they're inside San Francisco Bay, and other days they're out in the Pacific past the Golden Gate. Captain Molly follows recent sightings and plans the route with you to improve the odds. These are wild animals, so there's no sighting guarantee.
Recent whale photos from the boat are on Instagram at @mollys_boats.
What you can see, by season
| Whales | When |
|---|---|
| Gray whales, southbound | December to February |
| Gray whales, northbound (mothers and calves last, April into early May) | Mid-February through June |
| Gray whales inside the Bay | Mostly February to June |
| Humpback and blue whales | March to November (humpbacks nearly year-round) |
Sources: Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, The Marine Mammal Center, and a 2026 study of gray whales in the Bay. The month-by-month detail is in the San Francisco whale watching season guide.
Two ways to go
- This tour, 3 hours, $1,050: the Bay and the water past the Golden Gate, wherever recent sightings point.
- Farallon Islands tour, a full day (8 hours), $2,800: out to the islands about 30 miles west of the Golden Gate Bridge, inside the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary, where humpbacks and blue whales feed from March through November.
A per-boat price
$1,050 covers the whole boat and Captain Molly for 3 hours, for 2 guests or 6. With 6 aboard that's $175 a person, and everyone gets a spot at the rail.
Giving whales room
NOAA's West Coast guidance is to stay at least 100 yards from whales, slow to no-wake speed nearby, approach from the side and never cut across a whale's path. Captain Molly follows it.
What to bring
- Warm layers and a windproof jacket: it's cooler and windier on the water than in the city
- A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, even on a gray day
- A camera, and binoculars if you have them
- Seasickness medicine if you need it, taken about 2 hours before the trip (more on seasickness)
Bring your own food and soft drinks. Miss Molly is an alcohol-free boat unless you've arranged a celebration toast with Captain Molly ahead of time, like a birthday toast.
Where we meet
Hyde Street Harbor, 2951 Hyde St, at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Text Captain Molly from the bench when you arrive; don't walk to the boat on your own.
Booking and cancellation
- Book online and pay in full at booking.
- Free cancellation up to 7 days before your trip. Within 7 days there's no refund.
- If Captain Molly cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a new date.
Questions first? Use the Ask Molly button and she replies in writing within 24 hours.
Questions people ask
- When is the best time for whale watching in San Francisco?
- Humpback and blue whales feed off the coast from March through November, with March to August the prime months. Gray whales pass on migration from December into June, and some come inside the Bay from about February to June.
- Will we see whales?
- There's no guarantee. Captain Molly follows recent sightings and plans the route with you to improve the odds, but whales are wild and move between the Bay and the open Pacific.
- How long is the whale watching tour?
- 3 hours from Hyde Street Harbor. For a full day offshore, see the 8-hour Farallon Islands tour.
- How much does a private whale watching tour cost?
- $1,050 for the whole boat and captain for 3 hours, for up to 6 guests. That's $175 a person with 6 aboard.
- How many people can come?
- Up to 6 guests, and children count toward the 6. The whole boat is yours, with no other passengers.
- Is it rough?
- Inside the Bay it's usually calmer than outside the Golden Gate. If the route heads into the Pacific, expect more swell. Take seasickness medicine about 2 hours before if you're prone to it.
- Can we bring food and drinks?
- Yes, bring your own food and soft drinks. It's an alcohol-free boat unless you arrange a celebration toast with Captain Molly ahead of time.
- What's the cancellation policy?
- Free cancellation up to 7 days before the trip. Within 7 days there's no refund. If Captain Molly cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a new date.
What guests say
- ★★★★★
Whales N Fish
SHAWN G. · Mar 20, 2026 - ★★★★★
I had so much fun abd would recommend it.
John M. · Aug 10, 2026 - ★★★★★
Best fishing trip ever!
Elizabeth P. · Aug 1, 2026
Reviews from Molly's Boats guests on Facebook.
