Early Spring – Coastal Cruise – Gray Whale
Watching and Dolphin Watching
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.
Cafe’ Condor, our on board galley (kitchen), offers hot or cold breakfasts, a variety of lunch selections, as well as a full bar. Our galley staff aims to please, so don’t bother packing a lunch, we have it covered!
Welcome to Condor Express Whale Watching
Voted best whale watching in Santa Barbara every year since 1979!
There is no better way to see marine wildlife in Southern California than to see it in the ocean from 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 a rare opportunity to have an experience you will never forget. We offer:
- Whale Watching
- Sunset Cruises
- Dinner Cruise Charters
- Specialty Cruises
- Wedding Parties
- Private Corporate Charters
All aboard the Condor Express! Our experienced captains know just where to go to view all the sea life in their natural habitat. Whales, seals, a variety of birds and other marine animals are always around for viewing. Our crew and captain are ready and able to provide you with an exceptional whale watching experience.
The Boat
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. 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.
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. We offer a unique combination of safety, speed and an exceptional experienced crew. Contact us to learn more about excursions!
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!
Our Experienced Condor Express Crew
Dave
Captain
Tasha
Captain
Colton
Captain
Jill
Galley
Devin
Deckhand
Bob
Photographer
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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Condor Express Whale Watching 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 was specially designed for allowing ocean mammals to visit the boat up close without endangering them with a spinning propeller. Because of it’s design and speed, we get to the wildlife quickly, sit quietly, allowing whales and other sea life to get as close as they like.
Condor Express Whale Watching Seasons
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.
Spring/Summer
Islands Cruise
Dolphin, Humpback Whale Watching and Early Blue Whale Watching
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The mission of The Whale Sanctuary Project is to establish a model seaside sanctuary where cetaceans (whales and dolphins) can live in an environment that maximizes well-being and autonomy and is as close as possible to their natural habitat.
