Explore Our Trips
Farallon Expedition
Journey to the legendary Farallon Islands, one of the richest ecosystems on the West Coast. Along with humpback whales, these waters offer the chance to encounter blue whales, fin whales, deep diving dolphins, rare seabirds, and much more extraordinary wildlife.
Don't miss the next adventure!
Our Farallon Islands Expedition will return next season! Join our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming tour dates, receive exclusive discounts, and stay connected with Blue Giants.
$249 per guest
Full Day · Offshore · Biodiversity Hotspot
Coastal Whale Watch
4 Hrs ·Whales & Wildlife · Local Ecosystem
Explore the waters off of San Francisco, where feeding humpback whales are the highlight of the day. Harbor porpoise, bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals, and minke whales may also make an appearance.
Don't miss the next adventure!
Our Coastal Whale Watch will return next season! Join our newsletter to be the first to hear about upcoming tour dates, receive exclusive discounts, and stay connected with Blue Giants.
$129 per guest
Our Vessel
Our tours operate aboard the Outer Limits, a fast and stable 55-foot catamaran departing from Sausalito, California. With spacious outdoor viewing areas, a heated cabin, restrooms, and experienced local crew, the vessel is designed to provide a comfortable and enjoyable whale watching experience on the waters surrounding San Francisco and the Farallon Islands.
To create a more personal experience on the water, we intentionally limit the number of guests on our trips so the boat never feels overcrowded. Whether relaxing inside the heated cabin or scanning the horizon from the deck, guests have plenty of space to enjoy the incredible marine wildlife of Northern California.
Meet your Guides
Nicole Cristales
Co-founder & Marine Biologist
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicole has always been drawn to the wild places that make Northern California special. She holds a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Ecology from San Francisco State University and has contributed to conservation and research projects throughout the region, including wetland restoration and rocky intertidal research.
Her fascination with whales led her to join The Marine Mammal Center's cetacean research team, where she helped monitor and study local whale populations through vessel-based surveys, photo-identification research, and whale entanglement response efforts.
Today, she combines her background in science with a love of storytelling, having led hundreds of whale watching tours along the California coast. Through her work as a naturalist, she enjoys helping people connect with whales and the ocean in meaningful ways. She hopes each encounter leaves people with the same sense of wonder that first inspired her to pursue marine biology.
When she's not on the water, you'll likely find her hiking coastal trails, scuba diving, photographing wildlife, or practicing aerial arts.
Catie Arena
Co-founder & Marine Biologist
Catie has always had a passion for nature and all that inhabits it. She began her professional journey after earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Florida Southern College. She worked on sea turtle research and conservation through both field and laboratory work along Florida's coasts.
She then traveled throughout the United States, taking seasonal field positions conducting migratory bird surveys and spotted owl surveys. It wasn't until moving to San Francisco that she was able to reconnect with marine science. For the past three years, she has worked as a naturalist on local whale watching tours and is passionate about connecting the community to the ocean.
Her diverse field experience, spanning marine mammals, sea turtles, and birds, has given her a deep appreciation for wildlife conservation and the interconnectedness of our natural ecosystems.
When she's not on the water, Catie enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, snowboarding, and exploring the natural world. She can't wait to welcome you aboard and share her passion for marine wildlife and conservation with you!