Whale Watching in Provincetown MA

Just three miles north off the shore of Provincetown, Massachusetts lies Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a federally protected area rich with whales and other wildlife. Provincetown itself is a delightful place to visit, with miles of world class beaches and beautiful coastline, quaint shops, delicious seafood, unique galleries and landmarks, and tons of events. There’s always something going on here – but more importantly, it’s one of the best places in the world to go whale watching.

Whale Watching Season and Best Time of Year to Go

Whales spend most of their time in the spring, summer, and fall months feeding off the coast of Massachusetts, so the best time to go whale watching in Provincetown is from mid-April through the end of October. No matter what time of day you head out on a whale tour, there’s a very good chance the whales will be active in these waters.

Species

Humpback whales feed off the coast of Provincetown from April to October. In the spring months of April and May, there are often critically endangered North Atlantic Right Whales passing through the area. During this time, the waterways around Cape Cod place speed restrictions to protect these visiting right whales. Fin whales, Sei whales, and Minke whales are seen for the entire season. Pilot whales are sometimes seen from August to October. In addition to whales, you may see dolphins, porpoises, ocean sunfish (Mola Mola), seals, several types of sea turtles, blue sharks, white sharks, bluefin tuna, and jellyfish.

Best Whale Watch Tours in Provincetown

All whale watching tours from Provincetown leave from MacMillan Pier and go out to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. This area of the Atlantic is a haven for marine mammals, and whales spend their summers here feeding and socializing. The sanctuary is so busy with ocean life that tour operators typically guarantee you’ll see whales when you’re there. This prime Atlantic location coupled with the magical warmth of Provincetown makes it one of the best places for whale watching in the United States.

Captain John Boats

Known as the go-to whale watch in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Captain John finally brought one of their boats out to Provincetown. They offer a classic whale watching tour on a double-decker boat complete with ample seating, restrooms, and a snack bar offering hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, soft drinks and alcohol. Tours last 3-4 hours and are available most days of the week through August. In September, tours are limited to Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Wednesdays. Be sure to plan ahead while also keeping an eye on the weather. Overall, it’s best to schedule your whale watching tour early in your trip so that if unfavorable weather strikes, you can reschedule for another day. You definitely do not want to miss your chance to get out on the water in one of the greatest whale watching destinations on Earth!

More Things To Do

Provincetown is known for its eclectic vibe and friendliness towards the LGBTQ+ community. It’s a free and safe space where everyone is welcome to enjoy the coastal lifestyle. There are an abundance of shops, galleries, restaurants, landmarks, old lighthouses, and walkable streets to explore. When you’re not whale watching, get a taste of the town and its stunning coastline with any of these unique local tours:

Provincetown Bucket List

• Catch the sunset from Race Point Beach. 
• Walk along Commercial Street in downtown Provincetown. The street is packed with cute little shops, restaurants, and art galleries that capture the essence of this unique place.
• Visit a lighthouse. There are three in Provincetown, but the Race Point Lighthouse is the oldest. It was built in 1816 and is still active today.

• The Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown hosts a number of whale-related events. Check out their event calendar to see what’s going on while you’re in town. They also have the Sea Space Marine Discovery Center which has staff onsite ready to educate about the surrounding ocean wildlife.

Getting Here

Provincetown is located on the far north tip of Cape Cod in Massachusetts. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive from Boston if you don’t make any stops – which is hard to do with all the cute towns and iconic coastline. If you decide to drive, give yourself at least a half day to make the trip out here. Check out Plymouth, where the Pilgrims first settled in 1620, or head down to New Bedford to visit the whaling museum to learn about whale conservation, the history of whaling, and also to see some real whale skeletons which are pretty spectacular. Finally, don’t miss the Mass Audobon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in South Wellfleet, where you’ll find salt marshes, hiking trails and an aquarium.

If you want to fast-track your travels and just relax, opt for the sleek and luxurious catamaran ferry from Boston. It takes 90 minutes and costs around $65 per person. It will often sell out on weekends, holidays, and during peak season, so be sure to book tickets in advance.