
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).
• Our boat will be limited to 50% capacity.
• 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 BEGINS
whale watching TRIPS are unavailable UNTIL FEBRUARY 13, 2021Starting November 30, 2020 thru February 12, 2021( subject to change) our incredible boat, the Condor Express, will begin 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.
Winter Islands Cruise
Gray Whale
and Dolphin Watching
4.5 HOUR ISLAND WHALE WATCH
SOUTHBOUND GRAY WHALE MIGRATION
No Cruises Mondays or Tuesdays
Spring
Coastal Cruise
Gray Whale, possible Humpback, and Dolphin Watching
2.5 HOUR COASTAL WHALE WATCH
NORTHBOUND GRAY WHALE MIGRATION
7 days a week

Gift Cards
Give the unforgettable gift of an adventure on the sea to family and friends.
There is nothing like seeing, and feeling, nature on the ocean. The smell of fresh sea air combined with the beauty of nature all around you are a perfect backdrop for an ocean adventure. Birds fly past while you view the channel islands and the Santa Barbara coast from a whole different perspective. Large pods of dolphins and groups of sea lions frolic and swim within a few hundred feet of the boat. Whales swim up to the boat on their journey through the Santa Barbara Channel. Magic happens when they come up to the boat and greet another part of nature from their perspective. Give an experience of a lifetime to someone you care about and appreciate.
Gift cards are available to purchase for all our whale watching trips.
No Need To Pack Lunch
Offering Breakfast, Lunch, Beverages, & Full BarYour Own Personal Adventure
The Condor Express is Available For Private CharterCreate 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.
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 wildlifeThe 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.
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!
People Love The Condor Express
Check Out These Reviews









The Santa Barbara Channel
Our nutrient-rich cruising grounds.Our Experienced Condor Express Crew
Knoweldgeable and Well-trained
Dave
Captain
Colton
Captain
Devin
Deckhand
Kelly
Crew
Adam
Crew
Austin
Crew
Bob
CrewSea Landing Check-In