Whale Madness and a Salt Sighting
04.30.2026
A True New England Whale Watching Experience
Trusted by generations of guests since 1983
North of Boston's Best Small Business Award Winner 2025
#1 Ranked Whale Watch in Gloucester Since 2009 on TripAdvisor
#2 On Tripadvisor’s List of "Top Family-Fun in the World" Dec 2023
Welcome Aboard the
Privateer IV
From Historic Gloucester to the Waters of Stellwagen National Marine Sanctuary
Departing just 50 minutes north of Boston, we introduce thousands of passengers each year to the whales and marine wildlife found just miles from our Gloucester dock. Our daily whale watch trips run from mid-April through mid-October, offering an educational and inspiring experience in this remarkable marine sanctuary. Family-owned and operated for four generations, 7 Seas Whale Watch has worked from this very dock for over 70 years. We look forward to welcoming you aboard.
What You Could See on Your Whale Watch
GUARANTEED SIGHTINGS! The productive waters off Massachusetts are home to a variety of species of whales and other marine wildlife. Over our 45+ years in business we have a 99% success rate in finding whales. In the unlikely event you do not see a whale on your trip you will receive a voucher for a FREE whale watch that you can use anytime in the future.
Recent Sightings & Photos
Check out our Facebook feed for the latest sightings, photos, and updates from the water.
Recent Instagram Posts
Explore additional photography and video highlights from our whale watches on Instagram.
Departing from the Heart of Cape Ann
Located on Cape Ann, Gloucester’s historic working harbor provides one of the closest and best departure points for reaching the feeding grounds of Stellwagen Bank.
SEPTEMBER 5, 2026
Thank you to everyone who came out with us this morning. The weather definitely worsened far quicker than expected. It got pretty rough out there!
Thankfully the whales made the journey worth it though. Here's the video of Pleats' calf that I promised.
To those who had planned on coming out with its this afternoon we hope will be able to join us on another trip soon. The sea conditions were just not suitable for taking people out this afternoon. Your safety and making sure we give you a good experience open the water is important to us. ...
7 CommentsComment on Facebook
WHALE SIGHTINGS UPDATE ~ 9.1.26 - 9.4.26
As the seasons begin to change, we’ve been seeing a mix of species, some associated with summer and others that become more common as we ease into fall. Believe it or not, the leaves have already started changing color here in Massachusetts!
Over the past few days, our trips have featured an incredible variety of wildlife, including HUMPBACK WHALES, ATLANTIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS, SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHINS, BLUE SHARKS, OCEAN SUNFISH, and even a LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE.
The birders have enjoyed some exciting sightings as well, including a Sabine’s gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull, and Parasitic Jaegers.
Here are a few photo highlights… ...
6 CommentsComment on Facebook
WHALE SIGHTINGS UPDATE ~ 8.28.26 - 8.31.26
Happy September!
As our summer schedule came to a close, yesterday greeted us with fall-like air and a few familiar fall visitors.
Over the past several years, I’ve come to anticipate the return of two individual humpback whales to southern Jeffreys Ledge during the final chapter of our season: Victim and Partition. Like clockwork, we encountered both whales on yesterday’s trips, along with several other individual HUMPBACK WHALES and pods of ATLANTIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS.
Unfavorable weather is keeping us docked today, but we look forward to heading back out tomorrow! Our fall schedule has officially begun, with one weekday trip departing at 10:30 a.m. and two weekend trips departing at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. We will also be running two trips on Labor Day at 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Fall is a wonderful time to be on the water. Join us! ...
10 CommentsComment on Facebook
AUGUST 28, 2026
It was a foggy morning on the ocean today which makes finding whales a challenge... but we are always up for a challenge!
"Good energy, good vibes... and now we're watching a whale JUMP OUT OF THE WATER!!!"
***As always, switch to 720p for best quality*** ...
5 CommentsComment on Facebook
WHALE SIGHTINGS UPDATE ~ 8.24.26 - 8.27.26
It’s hard to believe we’re closing out August with next week being the start of our fall season. Over the past few days, we’ve encountered HUMPBACK WHALES, ATLANTIC WHITE-SIDED DOLPHINS, SHORT-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHINS, and even a LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE.
Each trip has brought something different, from feeding and surface activity to restful moments, close approaches, and playful calves. The calves continue to grow each day, both in size and personality. They’re becoming increasingly adventurous and may be beginning to practice the feeding behaviors they’ll need once they are independent. It’s incredibly rewarding to see how well the “class of 2026” is doing, but bittersweet knowing that our time with them as calves is entering its final couple of months.
The photos in this post were taken over several trips these past few days over hours spent on the water. As always, it’s important to remember that every trip is a completely unique experience. These are wild animals, free to travel and behave as they choose, so we never know exactly what we’ll encounter. That’s all part of the adventure! ...
18 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you to Northshore Magazine for awarding us "Best of the North Shore 2026" for whale watching!
We are honored to recieve this award. Everyday we work hard to show our passengers the best possible sightings... even if it means going the extra distance or putting in more time on the water.
Thank you also to our amazing crew who works so hard each day to make our passengers time on the water with us so special. This award is really all about you.
Congratulations to all of the other "Best of Northshore" winners from other categories. Together we make this area the amazing destination that it is. ...
13 CommentsComment on Facebook