Marine Discovery Tours
Marine Discovery Tours
4.5
Boat Tours • Dolphin & Whale Watching • Nature & Wildlife Tours
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Welcome aboard Marine Discovery Tours - Oregon's #1 Whale & Sea Life Cruise! Whether you're traveling solo or with a group, we'd love to share our "Floating Adventure" endorsed by the Oregon Coast Aquarium. Teams of professional and friendly captains and naturalists tell stories that range from gray whales and other coastal sea life to the seasons of Oregon's largest fishing fleet! Fun activities await, as "volunteer deckhands" help with catch and release crabbing, plankton pulls with microscope viewing and navigation lessons. We are local experts who are passionate about delivering a fun, safe activity - you can count on our captain's seasoned knowledge to find the calmest routes on our ocean, bay and river ecosystems. We specialize in marine education field trips for over 7,000 students, annually. Tour groups love our "stretch limo" vessel with a heated cabin for all, seating and complimentary coffee and tea! We're happy to offer exclusive charters for Special Events from reunions to Celebrations of Life/Ashes at Sea - take over the Discovery as your own! Our cruise season is March - October - advance reservations are always a good idea!
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
182 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
23
Average
8
Poor
2
Terrible
3
Cindy H
Meridian, ID4 contributions
Jun. 2022
would not recommend this if your really wanting to go out to the ocean to see whales
we spent our entire time just in the bay it was boring and uneventful!
we spent our entire time just in the bay it was boring and uneventful!
Written February 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
James Clark
Parma, ID1 contribution
Sep. 2022 • Family
This was a great experience. Highly recommend if you have kids or want to go out onto the ocean. This was are second time and would do it again.
Written September 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Karly C.
2 contributions
Sep. 2022
We had a wonderful trip with Marine Discovery Tours! My family and I ventured out to sea with them and had the privilege of seeing two gray whales and a few porpoises. We had the opportunity to meet Scarlet (or "Scar Back") and my children will never forget it! Delpha was an absolute sweetheart and did a fantastic job checking on the passengers, explaining the sights, local tourist attractions, animal life, and even a few of the surrounding boats! It was a beautiful day and an ideal whale watching experience. Thank you for a fantastic time!
Written September 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Susan B
Bangkok, Thailand2 contributions
Sep. 2022 • Couples
An excellent impromptu excursion! We walked by the storefront and ended up on a wonderful two-hour cruise! The service was excellent. The gal at the front desk was smart, friendly, informative and not at all pushy (I hate pushy). The crew and boat felt very safe. The captain of the boat was skilled and welcoming. The naturalist, Emma, was knowledgeable, great with kids, engaging, clear and obviously felt a deep connection not only to the marine wildlife but to the nautical traditions of Newport and the current commercial fishing community.
Written September 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sumlee69
United States15 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Family
We had a great time! Captain Charlie was amazing and great with the kids. We got to catch and release crab, and saw a whale as soon as we left the harbor. The whole trip was amazing and well worth the money.
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Molly C
5 contributions
Jul. 2022
The crew was fantastic, very friendly, enthusiastic and informative. Had a great trip and saw seals, sea lions, lots of birds and even got to see the catch of a couple of crabs. They explained a lot about ocean and estuary life. Even let the kids try their hand at steering the boat, which my grandson couldn't wait to roll his parents!
Written July 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sven S
2 contributions
Jul. 2022 • Family
We went with our 2 kids. The team made the best out of a stormy day, which was why we couldn't go out to the sea. Trip on the river was nice. Kids got to see and touch some crabs and more. For that kind of a trip, I feel it is quite pricey though
Written July 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Krishnam R
Portland, OR1 contribution
Jul. 2022
Nice experience we saw Grey Whales. It's incredible to see Whales in the wild for the first time. And kids had fun experiencing the crabs caught demo.
Written July 5, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tarit
2 contributions
Sep. 2021
This is a must if you're visiting Newport. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Emma and Captain Nick were amazing. We learned so much about sea life, birds in the area and learned about crab boats, shrimp boats and so much more. Emma was very knowledgeable. We were fortunate to see a whale and it was fabulous. Captain Nick spotted it and cruised towards it and as we waited patiently it surfaced and blew through its hole 3 times then went under the water giving everyone on the boat a good wave with its tail. Even if we didn't see a whale, the tour was amazing. We will definitely be doing this cruise every time we visit Newport.
Written September 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ashanti B
2 contributions
Aug. 2021 • Family
Wonderful experience for my entire family. We were visiting Manzanita from Washington State and decided to head down for the tour. We ran into traffic and barely made the boat. In fact, they held the boat for us and helped park. Incredible customer service! The tour was fun and very educational!!
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Inspire50319759023
1 contribution
How often do the tours run? And do I need a reservation?
Kbecjeans⛺
Salt Lake City, UT19,947 contributions
I don't remember how often the tours run. It seemed like there was at least a morning and afternoon?? but maybe they go out more often than that during the busy season. Same as MrBill we had a large group so made a reservation a month or so in advance. I would make a reservation, even if it is just a day or so ahead. Our boat was full.
kambaa1973
Morro Bay, CA
How much is the tour,?
Kbecjeans⛺
Salt Lake City, UT19,947 contributions
$42 adults, $28 4-12
speedy102
Hollister, MO66 contributions
how many people are on a typical tour? one of tbe pictures show quite a large group.
AnchorPierTeam
Newport, OR
Thanks for the great question! Our boat cruises with a minimum of 15, to a maximum of 49 per departure. Please keep in mind that we have seating inside our spacious cabin for 49, as well as upper and lower outdoor decks with additional seating.
Our season runs from mid-March through the end of September - reservations are highly recommended. Give us a call at 541-265-6200 - we'd love to welcome you aboard!!!
MML4028
Denver, CO1 contribution
We'll be on Oregon coast July 4th week. Are there whales to see? Asking from Colorado where surprisingly there are no whales to see!
AnchorPierTeam
Newport, OR
Thanks for the great question from Colorado and comments by Nancy P! We know that gray whales migrate in the spring, then feed during the summer and fall along Oregon's coast line. We have seen an increase lately with the wonderful ocean conditions that allow us to linger on the ocean. Nancy's comment is true - we love exploring a combination of our lovely ocean, bay and river systems with a team of naturalists aboard who tell great stories and present activities that are fun for volunteers of all ages. All in all - a terrific introduction to our Splendid Oregon Coast... hope you can join us on your visit :)
Sandy S
1 contribution
Does the boat have a restroom?
AnchorPierTeam
Newport, OR
Indeed, as one of our nice guests replied - the Discovery has a modern marine "head" - visualize a compact RV. "We never leave home without it"!
Looking forward to welcoming you aboard :)
Hello!! My family and I plan to head out to see the cost and my mom really wants to go whale watching. So I was wondering what your prices are? There will one kid under 12 and a 15-year-old, and hopefully two adults, (dad does not know if he can make it. My mom is coming for sure.)
AnchorPierTeam
Newport, OR
Hi - Delighted to hear that you want to visit our spectacular Oregon Coast! We are a perfect family activity... something for all ages to enjoy: Largest passenger vessel on the coast with inside seating in a heated cabin + double decks outdoors. We have the best & friendliest team: from the front desk... marine naturalists & professional captains = Great Vacation Experience! Our captains set a safety route on ocean, 4,000 acres of salt water estuary & up to 6 miles of inland river - different sea life, stories, activities in each area makes it always fun (and safe!).
Our family priced tickets are: $40/Adults - ages 13 & older; $25/Youth - ages 4 - 12; Free for toddlers 3 & under.
Please call us for final reservations at 541-165-6200. We'd love to welcome you aboard!
How much does it cost, and is there a senior discount?
AnchorPierTeam
Newport, OR
Hello! Thanks so much for your interest - we offer two hour programs called a Sea Life Cruise. We have three rates: $40/Adult - ages 13 & older; $25/Youth - ages 4 - 12; Free - ages 3 & younger.
Please call us at 541-265-6200 for more questions & reservations - plan on exploring the Oregon Coast aboard the biggest passenger vessel (seating for all in a heated cabin + double outdoor decks) with friendly naturalists and fun stories and activities. We cruise from March to October - great idea to make reservations! We'd love to welcome you aboard :)
Roy I
Salem, OR1 contribution
It is our anniversary on the first of April. How much does it cost?
Leanne R
Vancouver, WA63 contributions
It cost us around $40. Weather changes so much out there. The Harbor Captain is the one who decides if ANY ships can go out. The Coast Guard is ALWAYS out there watching. That's a good thing!
I hope you're able to spend it out on the ocean. It's worth it. At least I thought so.