The very best whale-watching experiences near Boston

There are few things as awe-inspiring as watching a massive 60-foot long mammal leap out of the water and give you a wave. Do it once and you’ll be hooked on whale watching trips forever.

From mid-April through October, a variety of whale species—humpback, pilot, finback and minke—descend on the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of Massachusetts. It’s one of the world’s top whale-watching destinations and it’s easily accessed from ports in and around Gloucester, Boston, and Cape Cod.

The boat ride to the marine sanctuary is shortest from Provincetown at the tip of the Cape (helpful if you get seasick). But there are plenty of stellar tour companies along the coast. Here are eight of the best, all winners of a Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award.

Boston Harbor Cruises partners with the famous New England Aquarium to run tours that combine sightings of the majestic creatures with views of the Boston cityscape. High-speed catamarans get you to the marine sanctuary in a snap, while researchers from the Whale Center of New England share their knowledge. In the rare case that no whales are spotted, guests receive a free ticket for another day.

This family-run business has been taking passengers out to see the local whales since 1983 from Gloucester, a small city 45 minutes north of Boston that is home to America’s oldest seaport. With one to two trips a day during prime whale-watching season and a marine biologist onboard, 7 Seas is ranked Tripadvisor’s number one local attraction; reviewers call the experience “spectacular,” “educational,” “perfect,” and the “time of our lives.”

Celebrating its 45th season, Cape Ann Whale Watch, also in Gloucester, is so confident you will see whales that it has a sighting guarantee: If you don’t see a whale, they promise your entire party can come again free for life until you do. Plus, its speedy Hurricane II will get you to Stellwagen so fast that you’ll have more time with the whales. The staff promises a hands-on educational experience for kids and adults, including learning tools like a 3D model of Stellwagen Bank and real whale baleen and teeth.

Not far up the coast from Gloucester you’ll find the beachy town of Newburyport. Leaving from the historic waterfront, the 106-foot Captain’s Lady III travels into the Gulf of Maine, where you’re as likely to see seals, porpoises, and sharks as whales before reaching Stellwagen. During the journey, onboard naturalists share their wisdom and tell you tales of ancient mariners. If you want to make a day (or week) of it, Newburyport has plenty to do, including bookstores, cafes, shops and parks.

One of the best things about Dolphin Fleet is that it leaves from MacMillan Pier in Provincetown (aka Ptown), a lively town with everything the Cape is known for—ice cream, lobster rolls, quaint inns, gorgeous beaches—along with LGBTQ-friendly bars and drag shows. It’s also the closest port to Stellwagen, so you might spot whales or dolphins right after leaving the port (and you sometimes see them from local beaches when you’re not even looking for wildlife). In July and August, Dolphin Fleet runs up to 10 trips daily. Since it’s such a popular destination, be sure to book tickets in advance. Like other companies, the boats have air-conditioned cabins, educational materials, funny and friendly staffers, and a free ticket for next time in the unlikely event you don’t see any whales.

For a more intimate experience, the family that founded Dolphin Fleet also runs private whale-watching and fishing charters (and shared charters for a lower price). The boats leave from MacMillan Pier in Provincetown. While they aren’t cheap, a smaller, private boat lets guests get closer to the animals. All the five-star reviews suggest this is something special, with experienced captains who know where to find the most active whales.

This mom-and-pop charter operation earns high ratings for its group fishing trips that leave from Provincetown on small boats carrying one to six people. You’ll catch striped bass, bluefish, and tuna while you’re whale watching. In addition, the company has great white shark tours, sunset cruises, and kids’ sea creature cruises where families can fish, visit herds of seals, and even try their hand at pulling lobster traps.

If you’re staying in a town closer to Boston and want to avoid the drive all the way out to Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod, you can take a tour that leaves from Hyannis in Barnstable Harbor. Reviewers like the spacious boats with ample seating inside and out. And one of my friends with a house nearby says that there are whales galore. Her tip for fledgling whale watchers: “Stay put—the tour leader says, ‘port side,’ and the horde goes there. Two seconds later, it’s ‘starboard’ and everyone gets trampled running to the other side. It’s like picking a lane in traffic. Just stay where you are, and you’ll be in the front row next time the whales are on your side.” Another tip: While visiting that part of the Cape, grab a meal at the famous outdoor crab shack Sesuit Harbor Café in East Dennis—it’s worth the wait.