Top San Diego On the Water

Encounter some of Earth's most magnificent creatures on a 2–3-hour whale-watching cruise in San Diego. The voyage departs right from Mission Bay, so you’ll be out into the open Pacific Ocean and looking for animals in just 10 minutes. Expert Guides and Naturalists on board help you spot whales and dolphins and learn about their lives in the deep blue sea.

Swap city sightseeing for some time on the water with this exciting whale-watching cruise. Avoid the guesswork when trying to figure out where to spot whales, and let the experienced crew take you directly to places known for sightings. As well as whales, you may spot sea lions, sea birds, and sometimes dolphins—with commentary from the naturalist guides who can share plenty of facts about marine life.

Go whale watching from San Diego aboard a replica of a historic sailing schooner that won the world’s first America’s Cup sailing competition in 1851. Throughout your cruise, your expert guide shares informative commentary about gray whales, dolphins, and other marine animals, along with details about the US Navy sites you pass as you head out on the Pacific Ocean.

Explore San Diego bay like never before! Start your adventure at the Coronado Ferry Landing shopping center with breath taking views of the downtown San Diego skyline. Once checked in, you will be given a thorough safety briefing by our qualified team who will detail the use of the jet skis, regulations and restrictions during your experience. Once on the water, you can enjoy sightseeing of the beautiful downtown skyline, the Coronado bridge, navy base, the Midway aircraft carrier museum and if you are lucky, you may just see some seals and dolphins! Speeds up to 65mph!

Spend a few hours relaxing and sightseeing in the waters just off San Diego during this 1- or 2-hour San Diego Harbor cruise. Sit back and relax as you take in a fully narrated tour, offering top-notch sight lines of the San Diego skyline, a cruise under Coronado Bridge, a look at the bustling US Naval fleet, and a chance to spot some of the harbor’s resident sea lions.

Book this small group tour to get out on the San Diego Bay on a comfortable Catamaran at sunset. Your captain will make sure you are comfy with a glass of white wine, beer, and soft drinks onboard. Just relax as you sail along with your small group, checking out the San Diego skyline while looking out for friendly sea lions and sometimes dolphins.

Explore San Diego Bay with a glow nighttime pedal boat rental, an affordable and eco-friendly adventure perfect for all ages. Glide through the water on a pedal-powered boat complete with a sunshade and room for up to four passengers—four-legged friends are welcome, too! Enjoy the freedom to chart your own course during the one-hour rental and create unforgettable memories on the bay.

Go with the La Jolla water sports company consistently voted #1 in the area. We are a proud local company that is continually upgrading our equipment and involved in our community helping at-risk youth experience the water. We are also a member of 1% for the Planet, providing 1% of our profits for beach clean-up. Rent from us and you'll enjoy 90 minutes of kayaking for two in the beautiful La Jolla Ecological Reserve.

This intimate, small-group tour in San Diego lets you get up close and personal to whales and dolphins. You’re not on a huge tour boat. Rather there is a maximum of six guests, where you have plenty of space for viewing marine life. Your captain takes you to the best spots while you relax aboard your boat.

Learn to kayak on the beautiful San Diego Bay with this relaxed experience that's perfect for beginners. Get a lesson in kayak safety and basic skills, and then set off for an hour-long voyage around the bay. Paddle as much or as little as you like, and explore gentle waterways that are only accessible by boat.

Explore San Diego's hidden gem of snorkeling! Everyone who visits San Diego knows about La Jolla, but did you know there's an even better snorkeling spot? Avoid the big waves and crowds with this more relaxed snorkel experience geared for all skill levels. I taught middle and high school marine biology for more than a decade before committing to environmental tourism! With fifteen years of teaching youth and adults in outdoor education settings, plus my background in conservation biology, provides guests with in-depth (pun intended) knowledge of marine life during our snorkel. Groups are small (maximum of 5 participants, with occasional exceptions for private groups/families) which makes a more intimate and personal experience. **Important: After booking you will receive a welcome message with important details. Be sure to have notifications and/or emails from your booking platform turned on!**

Spend an evening gourmet wining and dining aboard the ‘Spirit of San Diego,’ enjoying top-notch food and drink while you soak up skyline views. During this San Diego dinner cruise, you sip a complimentary cocktail and enjoy live on-board entertainment as you cruise 25 miles of California’s coastline and gaze at the stars above.

With this San Diego harbor cruise, you can check off views of a selection of San Diego’s most important monuments, without encountering crowds or traffic. Simply enjoy a stress-free sail through the water in a large catamaran, and benefit from a full bar on board, so you can purchase drinks along the way.

Set sail at one of the best times of day—sunset—during this San Diego Bay cruise. Board a comfortable sailing yacht and cruise along San Diego's coastline, taking in views of the scenic waterfront, military vessels, and historical landmarks. Catch sight of marine life and enjoy spectacular photo ops. Gorgeous sunset views and comfortable bean bag seating makes this tour a great choice for travelers celebrating a special occasion.

Experience the thrill of driving a speedboat—and enjoy a new way to sightsee—on this two-in-one San Diego Harbor tour. Learn the basics of boating from your guide before following their boat around the harbor, cruising past highlights such as the USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, the San Diego Maritime Museum, and more. Discover the stories behind the landmarks via the on-board, two-way communication system, and stop for photo ops.

Make the most of your weekend with a 2-hour brunch cruise through San Diego Bay. Capture prime views of the city skyline and harbor from a luxury yacht, and round out your morning bliss with bottomless mimosas and our brunch menu service includes breakfast favorites, vegetarian options, and so much more. Indoor seating. Listen to our live entertainment as the attentive crew constantly top off your glass. Shouldn’t weekends always be like this?

Bring a towel and swimsuit down to Cass St in San Diego, and be ready to hang ten. Join this small group surf lesson with some of the best instructors in town to have a great time on the water. Surfing is one of San Diego’s most popular sports, so don’t have a chance to get out there and try it. After, the rest of the day is yours to explore as you like.

An easy beach break with regular, predictable waves that don’t get too big, La Jolla Shores is one of California’s best destinations for learning to surf. Join an experienced instructor and no more than four other learners on a class that’s good for absolute beginners and intermediates alike. Your class includes your board and an Everyday California rash guard top, with full wetsuits available at an additional charge.

Take in the highlights of San Diego Bay during a sightseeing tour by amphibious vehicle. Travel on both land and water, starting on the streets of Seaport Village and rolling down Harbor Drive alongside San Diego Bay. Transition into the water after departing Seaport Village. Cruise past the SeaWorld and Vacation Isle, experiencing the best of maritime San Diego on this fun and informative tour.

Enjoy a thrilling new way to explore San Diego Bay—and enjoy speed, splashes, and spins along the way—on this high-speed jet boat tour. As you race along the scenic waterway, spot landmarks including the USS Midway, Coronado Island, Seaport Village, the Embarcadero, and the city skyline. Then, hang on as your captain takes your boat into power slides, 360-degree spins, and other high-octane maneuvers.

You will check-in 30 minutes before the time of departure. 15 minutes before departure we will escort you down to the boat. We will cruise for 2.5-3 hours looking for whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other life. If the weather doesn't permit leaving the bay, then we will spend most of our time cruising around Mission Bay enjoying being on the water.

Step into the 16th century when you board the San Salvador Spanish galleon for a 4-hour sailing. The ship is a replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo's ship that arrived in San Diego on September 28, 1542. For those who love history, or simply want an unforgettable San Diego sailing, this is an unconventional adventure tailor made for you.

The Gondola Company is your Passport to Italy. Indulge in all the magic and tradition of Venice right here in San Diego as you gently cruise in a private gondola through the enchanting canals of the Coronado Cays. Whether it’s a relaxing journey or a romantic adventure, each cruise is A Truly Memorable Experience.