JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL

ALL-DAY WHALE WATCH TRIP

Join us on Saturday, September 26th as we explore the bountiful Santa Barbara channel in search of marine life of all sorts. Multiple species of both baleen and toothed whales frequent the channel this time of year. Blue, humpback, fin, and minke whales show us the great diversity found in the rorqual family. Oceanic dolphins like bottlenose, Risso's, and common dolphin are frequent visitors on our tours. Even their larger orca cousins can be seen this time of year! (Although still exceedingly rare) - this rounds out our target species for this special trip. We have no particular destination in mind. We will go wherever the marine life takes us!

This trip departs at 8 am sharp. Please show up 30 minutes early to allow time to check in, board the boat, and grab some breakfast at our on board Condor Cafe. Keep in mind we plan on returning around 4 pm, but these longer trips may be extended if something extra special is found.

After the success and happiness expressed by our passengers on our last 8 hour trip, we couldn't help but put another one in the books! Reserve your spot today.

When: Saturday, September 26, 2020, departs at 8am, returns approximately 4pm.
Departure: Sea Landing dock at the Santa Barbara Harbor.
Cost: $199 all passengers.
Reservations: Call 805-882-0088 or 1-888-779-4253 or online using the Book Now button.

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Condor Express
Year Round Whale Watching

Welcome to whale watching California style in beautiful Santa Barbara, California.

Condor Express Whale Watching is the premier Whale Watching and Charter Cruise venue along the coast of Southern California. We are one of the few whale watching companies to offer year round whale watching and a whale watch guarantee. Condor Express Whale Watching offers a variety of spectacular excursions in the Santa Barbara Channel including whale watching, pelagic birding, wedding cruises, dinner cruises, private parties and corporate events.

COVID-19 GUIDELINES

We've Been Certified By Santa Barbara County Public Health To Reopen OUR BUSINESS.

PLEASE BE ADVISED YOUR HEALTH IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

We are taking the following steps to ensure a safe and healthy experience for all our passengers and crew.
• Check in at Sea Landing will begin 30 minutes before cruise begins.
• Boarding will begin 15 minutes before departure.
• Congregating at the dock is not allowed. Please enjoy our beautiful beach while waiting to board.
• Masks are required to be worn by all guests during cruise.
• Our boat will be sanitized prior to, during, and between cruises.
• If you are not feeling well or do not feel comfortable riding our boat, please avoid this activity.
• We will do our best to practice and encourage social distancing between individuals and groups (does not apply to families).
• The cruise schedule is subject to change based on minimum fare, weather, and social distancing requirements.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR COOPERATION DURING THIS TIME

notice: BOAT MAINTENANCE CONTINUES

whale watching TRIPS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON

On November 30, 2020 our incredible boat, the Condor Express, began a period of extended maintenance. To make our spectacular whale watching boat even more eco-friendly, we are upgrading the engines. Our new motors will be more fuel efficient and will significantly reduce emissions into the atmosphere. As much as we want to be with you and share the wonder and beauty of ocean wildlife, it's important to make this upgrade. We appreciate your understanding as we make our magnificent whale watching boat even better.

CHRISTMAS PARADE OF LIGHTS Cruise

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021

The 35th Annual Parade of Lights, with this year’s theme “Magic Under the Moonlight” will be a fun and festive Sunday evening for both boat participants and spectators.

Enjoy the parade up close aboard the Condor Express. You’ll have the best seat in the house inside the cabin or out on either deck! Spectators will enjoy 25-30 boats as they parade out of the Santa Barbara Harbor and along the shore line down to East Beach and back.

Enjoy your favorite beverage along with complimentary appetizers and a no host bar while we cruise the parade route. The fireworks display will follow right after the boat parade and the Condor Express will be right under the fireworks finale.

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Winter Islands
WHALE WATCH

Offering Breakfast, Lunch, Beverages, & Full Bar

Condor, our on board galley (kitchen) offers hot or cold breakfasts, a variety of lunch selections and a full bar. Our galley staff aims to please, so don’t bother packing a lunch, we have it covered!

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Your Own Personal Adventure

The Condor Express is Available For Private Charter

Create a Personal Whale Watching Excursion, Channel Island Kayaking Trip, Private Dinner Party or Corporate Event. The Condor Express is available for private charter.

Download our handy guide to creating a special and very memorable experience for your group or business.

Download Private Charter Guide

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Welcome to
Condor Express
Whale Watching

Voted best whale watching in Santa Barbara every year since 1979!

All aboard the Condor Express! Our experienced captains know just where to go to view extraordinary sea life in their natural habitat. Whales, dolphins, seals, a variety of birds, and other marine animals are always around for viewing. Our exceptional crew are ready and able to provide for you an amazing whale watching experience.

There is no better way to see marine wildlife in Southern California than to see it on the ocean in our spectacular boat! The eco-friendly Condor Express gives you a unique opportunity to see Southern California marine wildlife from a completely different angle. Since 1973 the Condor and more recently the Condor Express has been a part of the Santa Barbara waterfront cruising the Santa Barbara Channel.

We offer:

Whale Watching
Sunset Cruises
Dinner Cruise Charters
Specialty Cruises
Wedding Parties
Private Corporate Charters

We offer a rare opportunity to have an experience you will never forget.

The Boat

Specially designed for safety around wildlife

The Condor Express is an eco-friendly, 75’, quad-jet catamaran that has an extremely stable and comfortable ride. This state-of-the-art vessel uses water jet propulsion and is specially designed to allow ocean mammals to get close to the boat without endangering them with a spinning propeller. Because of it’s design and speed, we get to the wildlife quickly, sit quietly, and allow whales and other sea life to get as close to the boat as they like.

Our low emissions, 740 horsepower engines (4 in all) gives us the power to cruise at 28 knots. Our specially crafted hull allows a nice stable ride and cuts through the waves with ease.

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Take A Ride

Get to the Channel Islands up to 3 times faster than you can on other charter boats and see the wonderful marine wildlife in their natural habitat on the Condor Express. Let our experienced crew help you have the experience of a lifetime.

The Condor Express is a nicely appointed vessel that offers plenty of elbow room for all our guests. The beautiful teak cabin has room for 68 seated guests for dinner. The ample sun deck and raised bow provide great viewing stations for getting up close and personal with marine life. We are US Coast Guard certified to carry up to 127 passengers.

We offer a unique combination of safety, speed and an exceptional experienced crew. Contact us to learn more about excursions!

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People Love The Condor Express

Check Out These Reviews

Condor Express Whale Watching

4.7

Based on 200 reviews

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4.9

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Condor Express Whale Watching

4.0

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Armine Boodagian Irving

02:38 22 May 22

Great day today! We had an amazing time on this trip! Great boat, captain and crew! We will definitely be back!!

Elizabeth Schmitt

22:53 21 May 22

This isn't my 1st time on Condor Express, this is the best whale watching, seals, Dolphins, experience!!! We went as a family group and had such a fantastic time! The captain was amazing and informative, the entire crew was so nice.They serve delicious lunch and beverages. I highly recommend.

Chad Waldapfel

18:09 21 May 22

Awesomeness 👌

Rachel D.

14:37 21 May 22

The best experience of your life. I've been on this boat at least 5 times and we ALWAYS see wildlife. Multiple dolphin species, seals and sea lion, and of...

MPaz Fitzgerald

23:19 07 May 22

Awesome experience!!!!

Leticia Gonzalez

14:39 07 May 22

I just had the most amazing, wonderful experience during this boat ride. We saw 🐋 whales, dolphins, seals, such a moving experience to admire these beautiful creatures!I highly recommend this experience to everyone 👍

James Watkins

23:15 24 Apr 22

Whales. Also dolphins, seals, and sea lions.

Mimi Marisol

22:25 23 Apr 22

Recomiendo llevar ropa realmente abrigadora porque hace mucho frío!tristemente no nos tocó ver ballenas ni delfines 😭y estábamos tristes pq el precio fue alto periodo nos regalaron un boucher para volver gratis cuando queramos sin límite de tiempo 👌😉

Norma Ruiz

23:35 16 Apr 22

We saw a lot of humpback whales and we stayed there for awhile just observing. Really cool experience. It's a bit scary going into the sea cuz of the bumps of the waves.

Whale Watching

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Humpback Whale Watching

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Whale Watching California, Santa Barbara

Boat Phototour®

Photo Tour

The Santa Barbara Channel

Our nutrient-rich cruising grounds.

The Santa Barbara Channel is home to over 27 different species of whales and dolphins that visit throughout the year. It is the prime northern feeding grounds for blue whales and humpback whales from May through November. The California gray whale herd passes by on both their southern and northern migration. Come out to enjoy and see these wonderful whales any time of the year. Our guests come from all over the world to enjoy whale watching California style year round and the wonder and beauty of the Santa Barbara Channel — come join the excitement!

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Our Experienced Condor Express Crew

Knowledgeable and Well-trained

Dave

Captain

Colton

Captain

Devin

Deckhand

Kelly

Crew

Adam

Crew

Austin

Crew

Bob

Crew

In addition to the expert crew on the Condor Express, Channel Islands Naturalist Corps volunteers and representatives from the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and National Park are usually on board and available to answer your questions.

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