What We Do

Sustainable Living and Responsible Boat Operating
Sanctuary Cruises is the only truly sustainable charter boat on the Monterey Bay. We use 99% clean-burning biodiesel instead of dirty, smelly petroleum diesel in our brand new John Deere engines. Our biodiesel is made in Central California entirely from recycled waste vegetable oil collected from Central California restaurants. No oil is imported and no fossil fuels are burned when you go whale watching with us. It's better for the economy, the ocean creatures, the air, our engines & you. We also have the most fuel efficient boat on The Bay. We burn less fuel than any other boat. If you want to have less impact on energy consumption and the world ecology while your enjoying, living and learning, Sanctuary Cruises is the clear choice for Marine Wildlife Tours on the Monterey Bay.

Conservation Education Efforts
Aboard every Sanctuary Cruise we impart current information on environmental threats and issues to our marine life and suggestions for making a difference. We feel it is important to raise awareness of threats to our oceans and build a community of caring citizens who want to do their part in finding solutions. We partner with the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to help fund their marine conservation exhibits at the new Sanctuary Exploration Center in Santa Cruz by donating a portion of each ticket sale to this good cause.

Litter Pick-up
It's simple, but effective. You would not believe how many balloons we find floating out in the middle of Monterey Bay. These balloons pose a significant threat to marine life such as sea turtles that try to eat them mistaking them for jellies.

Kindred Spirits
"A personal thanks for all you do. You go the extra mile (and expense often) with the goal of making the planet a better place. There needs to be more like you." Dawn Hayes/Education and Outreach Coordinator NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Friends of Sanctuary Cruises are indeed friends of the ocean, the sanctuary and sea life. They work to protect this fragile world and can use your help. Check out these links for more information:

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Sanctuary plays a major role in our lives on these waters and now we can play a major role in its life as the Management Plan Review gets underway. Take some time cruising the web site and let us know how you think the sanctuary can best be protected while also allowing careful use of its many wonderful assets.

Sanctuary Bay Net Volunteers
When you walk along the waterfront of Monterey, Pacific Grove and Santa Cruz, you'll often see Bay Net volunteers in blue jackets. They have spotting scopes and are there to interpret the many things you'll see.

Save the Whales
Founded in 1977 when Maris Sidenstecker was 14 years old, Save the Whales focuses on educating the public, especially children, about marine mammals and the fragile ocean environment. Save the Whales believes children, the future of the planet, need to be empowered and know that their actions can promote change. Education is the key to saving whales, oceans and ourselves. American Cetacean Society (blue text)(link to http://acsonline.org/) This organization is doing great things for whale and dolphin conservation and education. Their website is a wealth of information.

Save our Leatherbacks
The Leatherback Sea Turtle is currently in dire straits due to fisheries by-catch issues, nesting habitat degradation and poaching. This organization is helping to raise awareness and save this incredible species that visits Monterey Bay to feed on jellies in the late summer and early fall.

California Gray Whale Coalition
Another great organization focusing on our California Gray Whale and current environmental concerns such as ocean trash, drift fishing gear and tanker traffic in migration routes.