Condor Express Whale Watching - Santa Barbara, CA

Lael Rudisill

The wife and I had a Great trip today on the Condor Express!! Saw 7 minke whales and 3 humpbacks!! Really nice tail fluke showings too! Kudos to the crew for going really far out there as it made the difference in seeing those humpbacks. We also saw hundreds if not thousands of dolphins and some sea lions, a sunfish floating at the surface and maybe even a seal back near the dock. Lot of good bird life as well. Would highly recommend these guys!

Tanner Cassidy

I love Condor Express! I've been many times. The price tag per person looks high, but I've never had a bad time and you get 4.5 hours on the water. The volunteers are great, staff are nice, there's a kitchen on the boat, and a double-decker boat with great views from anywhere. Over my trips, I've seen thousands of dolphins, sea lions, mola mola, a blue shark, humpback whale breaches, orcas, minke whales, and a blue whale. Plus, you get amazing views of the channel islands and the SB coast. Every time I'm in SB I try to make a trip with them. Never been disappointed. My pictures this trip weren't that great since I didn't bring my nicer camera. If you can, this is a photographer's paradise.

Kate Leonhard

This was a fantastic experience. Conveniently located. Beware, car park is expensive. A very nice trip. The sun was shining, take sunscreen, I came back like a beetroot. The journey out and back were good. The captain and the 3 naturalists on board very knowledgeable. We saw 2 pods of different dolphins and 3 humpback whales feeding, a truly memorable trip. Take binoculars if you have them.

Yvette Garner

This was our second time going for a whale watch with Condor Express! We had such a great time a few years ago that we wanted to come back, and it didn’t disappoint. The crew and amenities are excellent, and they had several naturalists on board who were very knowledgeable. On today’s 4.5 hour trip we saw sea lions, 1,200+ common dolphins and a fin whale. The captain took us nearly out to Santa Cruz Island (the largest of the Channel Islands) and that’s where we saw the dolphins and fin whale. It was a 1.5 hour boat ride to get out there but the weather was beautiful and there was a nice spot inside the cabin to warm up. The air temperatures are cold on the open ocean, so we were glad we brought warm clothing (down jacket & wind breaker). Next time I’ll pack gloves and a winter hat! Highly recommend this outfitter!

Albert Chang

Had the pleasure of seeing 5 blue whales and 2 humpback whales on top of like way too many common dolphins.

Note to fellow motion sick people: boat is small so make sure to take pills, and I recommend not eating before the trip

Hannah Keogh

What a magical place! The team were knowledgeable and helpful, especially the volunteers who came out on deck. Obviously you’re at the whim of nature, but it’s great that you’ll get a whale check and can go back if you don’t see a whale.

I’d go back even now I’ve seen a whale! I’d love to see a humpback breach. They also share their sightings on social media so I can watch some of their great sightings and reminisce about my trip.

Andy Wentland

Incredible experience watching hundreds of dolphins jumping just feet from the boat. The crew gave us an additional hour and a half because we didn’t see a humpback whale until the very end of the original 4 hour cruise. A word for the wise, this is a boat ride into the open ocean, if you easily get sea sick, you might want to stick to the aquarium.

Jenette Champagne

This was an amazing whale watching experience. The humpback whales that we saw came right up to the boat. They were so close that we felt their spray when they surfaced. The very knowledgeable naturalists on board were fascinating to talk to and learn more about the local sea life. Highly recommended.