Monterey Bay is famous for its sea otters, the superb Monterey Bay Aquarium and Steinbeck's Cannery Row. Ships anchor in the bay and tender to the harbour by Fisherman's Wharf.
Ships anchor in Monterey Bay and tender passengers to the harbour near Old Fisherman's Wharf.
Landings are by Fisherman's Wharf.
Cannery Row and the aquarium are about 25 minutes along the coast.
17-Mile Drive and Carmel-by-the-Sea are 20–30 minutes.
Tender port — no cruise pier.
| Cruise line / ship | Typical berth / arrival | Dock or tender |
|---|---|---|
| All lines | Anchor in Monterey Bay, tender to the harbour | 🚤 Tender |
Typical arrangements only — your ship's berth is confirmed in the daily planner.
These typical arrangements are retained from the supplied port guide and have not all been independently reverified. Map links are location searches, not live ship assignments. Confirm the berth, tender landing and boarding arrangements for your sailing. Read this port’s researched access notes →
These cruise lines typically include Monterey on their itineraries — tap one to see its sailings in the region.
Typical lines only — which ships visit changes every season. Live sailings and prices come from Cruise Travellers' booking engine.
Compare access requirements for this port before booking an excursion →
The shore excursions most worth your time in Monterey.
Tours booked through Viator, Cruise Travellers' excursion partner. Check the operator’s written return-to-ship policy; a guarantee is not assumed.
These are sightseeing suggestions. Distances and walking difficulty labels do not establish a step-free route. Read the port-specific access notes before choosing a route.
Along the coastal Recreation Trail past otters and seals to Cannery Row.
Best time: September–October are sunniest; summer mornings are often foggy, 60–70°F / 16–21°C.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60°F / 16°C | 43°F / 6°C | 9 |
| Feb | 61°F / 16°C | 44°F / 7°C | 9 |
| Mar | 62°F / 17°C | 45°F / 7°C | 8 |
| Apr | 64°F / 18°C | 46°F / 8°C | 4 |
| May ⭐ | 64°F / 18°C | 49°F / 9°C | 2 |
| Jun | 67°F / 19°C | 51°F / 11°C | 1 |
| Jul | 68°F / 20°C | 53°F / 12°C | 0 |
| Aug | 69°F / 21°C | 54°F / 12°C | 0 |
| Sep ⭐ | 71°F / 22°C | 53°F / 12°C | 1 |
| Oct ⭐ | 70°F / 21°C | 51°F / 11°C | 3 |
| Nov | 65°F / 18°C | 46°F / 8°C | 6 |
| Dec | 60°F / 16°C | 43°F / 6°C | 9 |
⭐ = best months to visit. Approximate long-term averages — check the forecast before you sail.
Wharf to aquarium, ~25 min.
Wharf to Cannery Row.
About 20 minutes.
Prices are typical ranges and change — confirm before you ride.
Other port guides close to Monterey.
Tours, prices, transport fares and pier assignments change. Always confirm with the operator, your cruise line and your ship's all-aboard time before relying on anything here.
Cannery Row, the world-class aquarium and the 17-Mile Drive to Carmel and Pebble Beach.
The Aquarium has strong documented mobility features, while a cruise tender and the route along Cannery Row need separate confirmation.
Published sources reviewed October 17, 2026. This is desk research, not an on-site access audit. Access can change with the ship, berth, equipment and operating conditions.
Ramps and elevators to every exhibit
The Aquarium lists ADA-compliant ramps and elevators to all exhibits, including the Sea Otter and Open Sea mezzanines, plus lower touch-pool sections. Manual wheelchairs are first-come and stay on site; powered devices are not available to borrow.
Entrance loading zone; trolley is seasonal
Passenger loading is available near the Cannery Row entrance. The Aquarium describes the accessible free trolley as a summer service between Memorial Day and Labor Day; do not depend on it for an October call.
Planning suggestion: After confirming tender access, reserve an appropriate transfer to the Aquarium loading zone and plan an unhurried indoor visit.
Detailed access-planning questions · Save these arrangements in your day plan
Discuss my access needsTurn the interests in this guide into a private shore-day brief. These are ideas to discuss with Melody, not confirmed bookable products.
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