Shelter Island Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Shelter Island. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• San Diego Seal Tour

• Deluxe Sunset & Day Sail Small Group

• City Cruises San Diego: Scenic 90-Minute Narrated Harbor Tour

• Deluxe Day Sail in San Diego

• Deluxe private Sunset & Day Sail

Shelter Island is free to visit and explore on your own. If you'd like to get out on the water, harbor and sailing tours start at around US$40 for a narrated harbor cruise, with small-group sailing experiences typically running from aproximately US$55 to US$120. Private sailing charters are available for US$700 or more.

Yes, Shelter Island is worth visiting, as it is a relaxed, scenic spot along San Diego Bay with a mile-long waterfront perfect for a leisurely walk. The area is especially popular for its boating scene, restaurants, and views of the bay and marina. Consider booking a sailing or harbor tour to get out on the water and see the San Diego skyline and coastline from a different angle. Tours range from amphibious vehicles that travel both by land and by water to small-group sunset sailings.

Per one customer who booked the Deluxe Sunset & Day Sail Small Group, "I would recommend this to everyone. It was very peaceful as well as fun to be on. We did a sunset one and it was amazing. I would definitely go back!"

People visit the nautical Shelter Island to relax, play water sports, dock their boats, and visit restaurants for food and drinks. A few resorts on the island are also suitable for families or couples. Shelter Island has a sailing school, too, so sailors of all levels can perfect their skills.

Swimming is just one of the water activities at Shelter Island. The long shoreline has spots for kayaking, sailing, kiteboarding, sport boating, surfing, and much more. The water’s warm in the summer, but you might want a wetsuit in the colder months for a longer water session.

You can get to Shelter Island by taking the artificial strip of land from Point Loma. Shelter Island is close to Liberty Station and downtown San Diego, so if you’re staying anywhere downtown or in beach areas like Ocean Beach or Pacific Beach, Shelter Island isn’t too far away.

Yes, Shelter Island is great for walking. There’s a 2–3 mile (3.3–5 kilometer) loop trail around the island, which takes under an hour to walk. Cyclists and runners also like this trail, so walkers need to share the path. Avoid peak times to have the path to yourself.

Shelter Island, located in San Diego, is known for having sunshine and excellent weather most days of the year. To avoid crowds, go on weekdays and avoid the peak summer months. But if you want more of a party atmosphere, then hit up those peak times and grab a margarita.

Group and private tours can take you and your group to Shelter Island, often combined with a sailing or other boating adventure. Hop on a Seal Tour, make a few new friends with a lively guide, or charter a sailboat for you and your private group.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Shelter Island. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in San Diego:

• USS Midway Museum

• Coronado

• Balboa Park

• Cabrillo National Monument

• Gaslamp Quarter

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in San Diego.