Newport Coastal Adventure Whale Watching
Newport Coastal Adventure Whale Watching
Newport Coastal Adventure Whale Watching
5
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
7:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Full view
About
The original Small Boat, Big Adventure Whale Watching tour in Newport Beach. Newport Coastal Adventure's fleet now offers two US Coast Guard inspected and certified Zodiac boats, 30 and 36 feet in length, to go farther and faster than any competitor. With the unique design of a Zodiac boat, we allow our passengers to experience the ocean and animals at their fingertips. Just lean over the side of the cushioned tube to be inches away from playful dolphins and whales! Being on a Zodiac boat in the ocean is an unforgettable experience, one that's earned us over 1,500 Five Star reviews across the internet.
Newport Beach, California
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Awards
Travelers' Choice
2024
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listingSimilar Experiences
Newport Coastal Adventure Whale Watching
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
(70 reviews)
(156 reviews)
(26 reviews)
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
921 reviews
Excellent
899
Very good
20
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Jayne S
Huntington Beach, CA57 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
Booked the Sunday Eve cruise. Won the Whale sighting Trifecta ! Blue Whale, 3 Minky's and a humpback ! Plus a sunfish and 500+ dolphins. Whale sightings are not a guarantee but we certainly got lucky! Captain Ryan and Mark G were excellent guides and worked really hard to make everyone on board happy and also kept us entertained. Whales or not - can't wait go again! Worth every penny !
Written July 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HANNIELondon
London8 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Excellent trip with Rich yesterday! 5 stars. Saw dolphins sea lions minke whales and hump back whales! Will be back again.
Written July 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark L
3 contributions
Jul 2024 • Couples
What a great experience! Captain Delaney handled the vessel like a boss!! We saw 2 humpback whales, dolphins, seals, sunfish and more. Highly recommend.
Written July 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nanette S
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
We had an amazing time. My niece fulfilled a buck list of seeing dolphin's and topped off with seeing both a blue and humpback whales. From now on I will only do a private charter. Captains were so informative and funny, great vibes. Thank you for such a memorable experience.
Written July 19, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeanette P
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
I’ve been wanting to go on these boats for awhile and I’m so glad I finally did! My daughter and I had the BEST time! The fast boat is the way to go, oh my gosh so much fun and the captains (mine was Dave) and staff are amazing. Saw a whale and a bunch of dolphins! Can’t wait to go back for another trip!
Written July 15, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vegas Fox23
Las Vegas, NV36 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
Honestly words don't do justice...
Ultimate whale experience..
Had the GIRL POWER crew of Molly and Capt. Delaney!! (If you're reading this it's the Vegas guy lol)
These ladies were top notch all the way and that good Spirit translated to seeing not only a blue whale super close but a 400+ dolphin pod and multiple other animals!!!
Can't say enough about the crew... fantastic experience will definitely book this again or upgrade to a private tour!!
Ultimate whale experience..
Had the GIRL POWER crew of Molly and Capt. Delaney!! (If you're reading this it's the Vegas guy lol)
These ladies were top notch all the way and that good Spirit translated to seeing not only a blue whale super close but a 400+ dolphin pod and multiple other animals!!!
Can't say enough about the crew... fantastic experience will definitely book this again or upgrade to a private tour!!
Written July 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan M
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
I have been on several whale watching tours, and this us by far the best!!! This was our second time and I will do it again!!
Written July 7, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janeil S
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Family
Our family of five did the private whale-watching adventure with Captain Rich. We had the time of our lives! Captain Rich made us comfortable and kept us laughing the whole time. The ride on the smaller boat is sooo fun. We saw a blue whale, lots of sunfish, hundreds of common dolphins, and two playful bottlenose dolphins. You are right there alongside these magnificent creatures!
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nate H.
3 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Thank you Erika and Mark for another great experience. Went out with family and friends and, although the whales weren't in the neighborhood today, Erika and Mark made it a memorable and fun experience. This is probably my 10th time going out with NCA and each time is interesting and great in its own way. Last time I went (April) I saw a Humpback Whale breach over and over. This time we played with dolphins, saw giant sunfish, cruised the coast, saw a Peregrine Falcon nest, and, of course, the Sea Lions. If you can only do this once...do it. If you can do it more than once...do it! Every experience I have had with NCA has been fantastic and I look forward to many more adventures with them.
Written June 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve H
4 contributions
Jun 2024 • Family
Captain Rich was wonderful. Saw hundreds of dolphins on my wife's birthday. Would not hesitate to book another trip with him. I highly recommend it.
Written June 24, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi! What is the clothing recommendation on the water for a late morning booking in February? Thank you!
Written February 2, 2023
Jeans and at least a hoodie. Colder than it looks. Layer so you can take stuff off if/when it gets hot.
Written July 15, 2024
Mohibollah K
Anaheim, California
Hi,
Can we bring our 4 month old son with us ?
Written October 7, 2020
I think so but he might not enjoy it- no bathroom on the boat and it gets pretty choppy in spots.
Written July 15, 2024
Hi, i wanted to know when is the best time of year/and day to be able to see orcas during the tour?
Written February 28, 2020
Hi Joel, here is Southern California we don't have an orca season as they only show up a few times each year and it can be any month of the year so it's completely random
Written February 29, 2020
Hi, I plan to visit in the middle of March. Is there recommended transportation, or day tour, between either LAX airport or LA downtown?
Written January 20, 2020
It's quite a distance, taking a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft would probably be your best bet
Written February 13, 2020
I want to do this but I'm scared! Is it safe? Could the whale hit the boat?
Written July 10, 2019
No!! You are absolutely,100% safe on these boats!!! Trust me!!!
Written November 2, 2019
We will be near Newport Dec 22-28 and are wanting private tour for 4...should we book the tour in advance now or once it gets closer to our trip and we know forecast? Do you operate on Christmas Eve?
Written November 22, 2018
I think it will be best to call and confirm they offer tours. Have fun
Written December 11, 2018
Hello,
we'll visit California in September and would like to do a whale watching tour. Whicg whale species are usually sighted during this time?
Thanks for your help.
Written July 25, 2018
Hi there, thanks for your question! In years past, we've seen both blue, humpback and minke whales in September. Along with several species of dolphins.
Check out our trip log on our website to see what was seen in Sept. 2017
Written July 27, 2018
Hello....would blue whales or any whales be possible end of December? And what happens if its reserved and weather is bad/your not going out do we still have to pay?
Written July 7, 2018
Hi Thanks for your question! The end of December historically has held sightings of Gray Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, and Minke Whales, in that order of likelyhood.
Any cancellation due to weather is 100% refundable. We will not go out in rain or high wind/big wave conditions.
Written July 8, 2018
Showing results 1-10 of 23