Best water tour in SLO

Question

We are a family of 4 (including a 2 year old). We will be visiting SLO next week. What is the best water tour company to see animals this time of year? I saw slotours mentioned elsewhere and looking for a couple recs to compare. I believe SLOtours is $50 for each of the 4 of us for the one hour harbor tour.

Answer

Great question. For a family of 4 (including a 2-year-old) visiting San Luis Obispo (SLO) County who want a water tour that’s likely to offer good wildlife viewing — here are some of the top water-tour companies in the area, plus considerations to help you pick what’s “best” for you.

Here are some recommended water-tour options to compare, and what you might realistically see this time of year (note: depends on season):

SLO Tours / Port San Luis Harbor Cruise
- This is likely what you already saw: a 1-hour harbor cruise on their 32’ power catamaran “Obispeño.” - The tour gives good 360° views, has a walk-around deck, cabin seating, and a head (bathroom). - You may see sea lions, otters, pelicans, plus points of interest like Smith Island, Sea Lion Rock, and Point San Luis Lighthouse. - Pros: relatively short (which is good with a toddler), stable boat, comfortable. - Cons: limited time / range, so for big whales or deep-water marine life, might not go far enough offshore. - According to their site, private charters are available (if you want a more tailored trip).
Morro Bay Whale Watching – Sub Sea Tours
- This company is very experienced (family-owned) and operates tours in Morro Bay. - Their “Sub Sea Tour” is especially good for families: a 45-minute trip in a vessel with underwater windows so you can see fish, kelp, and marine life *below the surface*. - From the deck, you can often see sea otters, harbor seals, sea lions, and various birdlife. - They also run longer whale-watching excursions: their 3-hour ocean tour is more likely to spot humpback whales (which are common from ~May through November in this area). - Pricing: for the 3-hour whale tour, they list adults at $65, child (0-12) at $50. - Pros: very good wildlife potential, comfortable vessels, knowledgeable crew. - Cons: longer trip (may be more challenging with a toddler), more expensive, and possibly rougher if going offshore.
Lost Isle Adventures (Morro Bay)
- They offer a variety of tours: harbor / whale watching, “go-fast” whale watching, sunset cruises, private charters, etc. - Good for families wanting some flexibility: can pick a gentler harbor or wildlife-focused tour depending on your comfort. - Pros: more options (speed, length, type), potentially more adventurous. - Cons: “go fast” tours may be less toddler-friendly; private tours may cost more.
Avila Beach Whale Watching
- Based out of Avila Beach, this operator provides whale-watching trips, plus a “Coastal Explorer” private trip for more shoreline-focused animal viewing. - The “Coastal Explorer” trip is great for seeing near-shore wildlife (birds, sea lions, maybe otters) without going far offshore. - Pros: small-boat feel, more intimate, good for families who don’t want a long offshore trip. - Cons: smaller group means less room, and potentially limited schedules.

What You Can Expect to See Right Now (Timing Considerations):

- According to NOAA / local reports, humpback whales are frequently spotted in the SLO-County / Central Coast area from around April through November during their feeding season.
- Because you’re visiting *next week*, you're likely in a decent window for humpbacks (if it's summer / early fall), which is favorable for whale sightings.
- On harbor cruises (like SLO Tours), you’re more likely to see sea lions, otters, and birds than whales, since the trip stays closer to shore.
- On dedicated whale-watching trips (Morro Bay Whale Watching), there’s a strong chance of seeing whales; their guides report frequent sightings.

Local Feedback / Tips:

On Reddit, locals highly recommend SLO Tours (Captain Michael) for its reliable wildlife sightings and friendly crew. > “100% SLO tours, Michael is the best!”
Also on Reddit, someone said for a toddler, the Sub Sea Tour is “fun … they stay in the bay … you get to visit … otters … same company.”
Another user noted that while SLO Tours is great, their boat is smaller and doesn’t operate as frequently, while Sub Sea Tours (with Morro Bay Whale Watching) runs longer tours and larger boats.

My Recommendation (for Your Family):

Given you’re traveling with a 2-year-old, I think the SLO Tours 1-hour harbor cruise is an excellent choice because it’s short, stable, and gives good chances for wildlife like sea lions and otters without being too rough or long for a toddler. If your family is okay with a longer trip and you want a shot at whales, the Morro Bay Whale Watching (Sub Sea Tours) 3-hour excursion is likely your best bet. Alternatively, for a middle ground, Lost Isle Adventures may offer a slightly more flexible tour that balances duration and wildlife opportunity.

Also, if you have time, you might consider combining: do SLO Tours one day (harbor), and another day take a Morro Bay whale-watch — that way you get both the calm harbor feel and the more adventurous wildlife experience.

Best water tour in SLO

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