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Chris' Fishing Trips and Whale Watching
Categories: Active Life Boating Event Planning & Services Boat Charters Boating, Boat Charters [Edit]
48 Fisherman's WharfMonterey, CA 93940
(831) 375-5951
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
18 reviews for Chris' Fishing Trips and Whale Watching
18 reviews in English
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Review from andre l.
San Jose, CA
12/31/2011 3 photos
My guess is most folks who went fishing trip with Chris' fishing are not yelpers anyway..... but hey time will tell.
I was there at 6am for 6.30am departure, business is extremely good as they are fully booked with folks on standby.
My ride was a boat called Caroline and we had about 20 people on board. That's was a good number as later we all had enough space for each other. The sunrise was beautiful on the way out.
It took about 45 mins to the first fishing spot and I got my first catch (rock cod) immediately followed by a ~ 4 lb bass. Pretty good start. Deckhand is Dave and so do the captain. Dave was very diligent in hunting for new ground with his sonar and deckhand was helpful and busying tending to 2 groups of people. (a) Do not want to get their hand dirty & (b) those in trouble.
Some of the area we fished goes all the way to 150-200 feet of water..... so be forewarn, it is a lot of work to reel the line in especially if you get one of their "non-optimal" rod rental.
I caught my limits and give a couple away to those who couldn't.
For a relatively good size boat, the wave did make a few vomitted.
Overall, I enjoyed this trip a lot and most of us were very happy with out catches. (Rockcod, Lingcod, bass, Halibut, salmon! + others). Will go again with Chris' fishing. The next time will bring my own rod and some fancy lure to try something new. -
Review from Rita V.
9/22/2011
This is for the whale watching review.
I tried out Chris' Whale Watching for $32 a person. I asked the guy who sold me the ticket if i will get seasick. He assured me that I wouldn't, but he did recommend me to get some ginger candy. He had ginger candy in stock for $3. I decided to get some just in case.
We walked to the docking area, to find a small boat that can fit about 20 people. On the way out to see the whales, I was already feeling a bit nauseous. I decided to stand so I wouldn't feel the waves, but that didn't really help. The boat ride was still a bit rocky.
After 1 hour to the whale watching area, the boat stopped. This is where it was the worst feeling! The boat was rocking back and forth so much that I got super seasick. I had to use the boat's restroom a few times to make myself feel better by vomitting. I did feel a bit better, but the boat was still rocking a lot. I just wanted to see land and be on land again.
I didn't get to see any whales, since I got seasick. I ended up closing my eyes with my head down on the seat. I noticed at least 5 other customers were not feeling well, since they were inside the boat with their heads down. The others were standing on the deck area.
Overall, I would not recommend Chris' Whale watching if people get sea sick. Even though i took the ginger candy, it didn't help at all. -
Review from G. W.
Castro Valley, CA
1/15/2012
Two part review:
1. Whale watching. 1 star. Why bother. Not cheap. I estimate 1/3rd the boat got nauseous. There are large swells out there in winter, even on a nice day. No fun at all. You do not really see the whales up close.
2. Chris's whale watching. 2 stars. Cheapest fare, but the smallest boat, and I suspect the oldest. Boat was out of dock 20-30 minutes late. The reason was clear. They were holding it to get more customers. Then at the whale area, Chris's always seemed to be the boat that was the furthest from the whales. -
Review from Tim W.
Daly City, CA
7/18/2011
Fishing Trip Review:
We had 28 people on a somewhat small boat. With that many people on a small boat, you WILL snag someone else's line. If there was a more reasonable amount of people on the boat this would have been a 5.
Joe the deckhand was attentive and and had a really good personality. He spent much of this time untangling messes and retieing lines. If you had a problem he was usually right on top of it. 1 deckhand for 28 is quite a feat, but Joe was on it.
The fishing rod rentals are ok. Pretty much what you expect from a a rental rod. Just works, not exceptionally well, but works.
The Captain knew the good spots and if people were not catching much he would move on to the next. Really good amount of fish. Everyone caught limits (mostly cod) . A good amount of good sized fish.
For a few bucks, they'll prep your fish as well, which is definitely worth it.
Would definitely use Chris' Fishing Trips and Whale Watching again. -
Review from Will M.
Reno, NV
3/17/2011
I went to this place on my way to another whale watching tour business and found that I made the right choice. Although the boat was older and smaller, the experience was a lot more rewarding going to this whale watching vendor.
The smaller boat means more access around the boat with a lot less people. I was looking at the other boats and they were crammed packed. Our boat only had 20 people on it, which made it a lot more enjoyable.
All of the whale watching boats go out and go to the same spots to observe whales, this place was about 10 dollars cheaper, which is a bonus.
A few side notes, make sure you bring your own water and food. Also use the bathroom before you get on the boat. I got a little sick and a lot of people got sick, the boat rocking back and forth will make you feel sick for a little while. -
Review from Yulisan S.
Hawthorne, CA
1/15/2010 1 photo
I was all excited about seeing whales. That would be my first experience. What a fiasco! :(
One hour or more to get to the part of the ocean where we were going to see whales, and after waiting for so long in a very cold weather we just saw a couple of blows and whale's fluke twice. That was all. I was a little disappointed, but at least I saw something. Also, we got a sweet discount. -
Review from Midge S.
Santa Cruz, CA
3/18/2009
There are four whale watching companies on the wharf. All of them are acceptable and they generally leave at the same times, find the same whales, etc.
We whale watch several times a year and occasionally visit all four companies to see who is willing to offer the best rate. Summer is superior both in terms of weather and the variety of whale (humpback) you are likely to see.
Most of the whale watch companies sell gift certificates, and one does so online (an excellent stocking-stuffer). If you're prone to sea-sickness all four companies sell Dramamine, and some have ginger candies that are quite medically effective. Several boats have cafes with hot cocoa, beer, etc. Also, all four companies offer a 'rain-check' if you fail to see whales.
Everytime we take a whale watching trip almost all other customers are European tourists, so the trips can also be a great opportunity to practice your german, etc. ! -
Review from Bree K.
Oceanside, CA
8/15/2010
My friends and I took the 10 am tour on Thursday 12 August 2010 and had a great time! Of course, there's no guarantee of seeing any whales, but we were fortunate enough to see numerous whales and dolphins. I felt like the 2.5-3 hours we were on the boat was the perfect amount of time. We took a few snacks with us and had a great time.
The staff members were friendly and informative. It was easy to purchase tickets on the wharf, however, discount vouchers can be purchased at the Presidio of Monterey's Outdoor Recreation Center if you are a member of the military. If not, mention that you saw Chris' website and receive a $2.00 discount on your tickets. -
Review from Norma A.
6/25/2008 4 photos
Best First Fishing Trip Ever!
After waking up early to drive over to Monterey's Fisherman's Wharf for a fishing trip so I wouldn't get sea sick, I really didn't feel like smelling fish all morning But I toughed it out and pull through.
So we got our fishing licenses and rented our rods and headed out on "Caroline" let me tell you what an experience. It was the best fishing trip I could ask for. After heading out for what seemed two hours into the bay it was crazy, We positioned ourselves next to the railing of the boat and let the magic happen, It was time to catch dinner. My first catch a small red snapper... so I threw it back and thankfully it swam away. It was hard work but I managed to catch 10 fish it was cool. Everyone on the boat was so nice and they really helped you out in the positioning and teaching you. Most already knew what to do.
Toward the end, I did feel a little sea sick. I was so embarrassed because not even the little kids fishing felt sick they were happy fishing with their dads.
At the end of the trip, the crew asked if you wanted your fish gutted for an extra fee. It was cool to watch and saved me some work at home. I could not have pictured a better trip.
Highly recommend booking your tips through Chris' Fishing Trips. -
Review from Imee H.
San Francisco, CA
6/9/2009
It was my first time to whale watch. It was a fun and terrible experience for me. Why? Read on:
Pros:
1. This company is not my first choice of whale watching trip because I have another company in mind. They were my second choice because they let my almost two year old daughter board and I (pregnant that time).
2. Captain was alright and he seemed to narrate well.
3. Got a discount.
4. Have about 2.5 hrs to view the whales.
5. Have a bathroom.
Cons:
1. No vests for passengers.
2. They didnt have an alternative for people who have sea sickness other than telling them do go to the far side of the boat.
3. Boat was really small.
4. There were only two bathrooms, no other amenities provided.
5. I think the Captain was too afraid to come close to the whales and he didn't say where were they (i.e. they are on the right of the boat or left of the boat, etc...)
(It was fun for me because at least am no longer virgin with whale watching...terrible because I couldn't get a snapshot that is close to whales and I was sea sick the remaining hour. Note to self: Should have taken a medicine or so) -
Review from Christy C.
Fremont, CA
11/1/2010 1 photo
For the past couple of years my dad and I go out fishing. I don't have a lot of experience on other boats, but can tell you that the captain and crew are very knowledgable and helpful. They know the spots where the fish are hungry and are pretty patient with newish fisherwomen such as myself.
Bring your ski pants and icky boots because it can get messy. -
Review from Rhea S.
Princeton, MN
1/4/2011
One of the cheaper places to go in Monterey. All the different whale boats usually end up in the same place anyway. Go with them. Ask for the $2 web discount. Smaller intimate boats. Saw some whale tails when I went. Go to the bathroom before if you can, but they do have bathrooms on the boat. Bring your own snacks.
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Review from Carole G.
Mill Valley, CA
3/29/2011
ok i review only now though I went there in december 2010 but I really mean to say all the bad things about my experience there!!!
first the staff is not friendly and the owner not professionnal at all!! I arrived there with a brochure I took a couple of months ago, in which the price written was $30 (with a $2 off presenting the brochure). He didn't want to hear anything, he said "i don't know where you took this but the price is $32 not $30". After insisting to have the price written on my brochure, we finally paid what HE wanted, but we still had to say "hey in your brochure here it's also written $2 off with it"
so we paid $32 minus $2, instead of $30 minus $2
then the boat was super small and so old!!!
the crew was super rude, the 3 of them stayed together in the cockpit, and one just came out once to yell on people standing where they shouldn't be!!!!!!
in addition of all this, we didn't get to see ANY whale!!!!!! we saw a couple of dolphins and a few sea lions on the way back, THAT'S IT!!!
ok it's not their fault, but they didn't even say anything about not seeing whale, as if it was normal, and they didn't try long to look for the whales!!!
i was so disappointed!!! i've been to such a great trip from San Francisco in august 2010, and this one at Chris' whale watching was as bad as the
SF one was wonderful!!!
i'll never go back, and from now on, i'll think twice before going to the cheapest place, there's always a reason!!! -
Review from Robin Z.
1/8/2010 5 photos
It's a crap shoot, whether or not you'll see any of the Grays, Humpbacks, Blues, dolphins, porpoises or Killer Whales, but with this company offering a discount, it's not a bad way to spend 3 hours while visiting Monterey. Bring warm clothes and don't hold on to high expectations but bring a camera anyway...you might just see that huge Blue breaching the surface.
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Review from Ellin P.
San Jose, CA
11/26/2009
First off, this is for the Whale Watching Tour, not fishing. All the whale trips in Monterey are about the same length, and all boats are reasonably large and have bathrooms. The main difference is cost, so I went with Chris at $30. We never actually made it onto the boat, because he had less than 10 people sign up, which means everyone got moved to the Princess boat instead (without having to pay the extra $10). For that fact alone Chris gets 4*s.
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Review from Ara M.
Houston, TX
7/4/2009
Great experience. The captain was excellent in his handling of the boat as well as his very educational narrative. The boat was in relatively nice shape. Better seating / viewing would be nice, but it's not that bad. Shocking how many folks didn't know to keep their eyes on the horizon. Half the customers were sick by the time we got to the whales. So cool to be out there with the big creatures. Also, the captain took a detour on the return trip because he found some cool big dolphins for us to see. I'd go back. Don't forget to negotiate!
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Review from Sarah M.
5/13/2009
For the price one pays for 1.5-2 hours not bad! The service is average when checking in - however the captain and his first mate are great! They explain everything about the different types of whales and when they will be seen (season wise) as well as the different dolphins that are around. I have been whale watching on the East Coast and the tours out there, try to get you as close as possible to the whales. This captain did point out which side the whales and never really got us close enough to see them or take pictures. The captain did try to follow where the different pods were moving, but never was close enough to really get a good look at the whales. Overall, it was a great experience - not sure I would use this tour company again!
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Review from Jay L.
San Jose, CA
1/6/2010
With single income, I was looking for a reasonable rate for whale watching. Chris charges less than other boats. The boat was not fancy but comfortable. We saw hundreds of dolphins. There were not any other boats around so Chris gets the credit for finding them. He then took us back to look for killers whales and he found them too. He is very good at what he does.They were friendly and easy going. Also, if you can go on a Sunday, street parking on Alvarado is free. How can I have so much fun for so little money!
