Top San Diego Whale Watching

San Diego: 3 Hour Whale Watch Cruise with Legacy Whale Watch

(210)

from $34

San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

(2,423)

4 hoursFree Cancellation

from $85

San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

4.6

(1,655)

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation

from $71

Whale and Dolphin Watching in San Diego

(147)

from $149

3-Hour Guided Whale and Dolphin Watching Experience in San Diego

(45)

from $169

4.5

(3,108)

San Diego Harbor Cruise

San Diego Dolphin Watch Sunset Cruise on Legacy Whale Watch

from $37

3.9

(9)

2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $34

San Diego provides the perfect launching point for a whale-watching tour in California. Cruise on the Pacific Ocean in a sturdy boat with a professional crew, looking for gray whales as they migrate along the coast of North America. Dolphins, seals and seabirds are often spotted during this whale-watching tour and the crew provides informative commentary about the marine animals and environment. Bonus: if the crew does not find any whales during your cruise, you receive a complimentary ticket for another trip.

City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure

4.2

(144)

4 hoursFree Cancellation

from $77

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.

Sunset Sail Along the San Diego Skyline

4.9

(619)

Explore the stunning marine life off the coast of San Diego with premier whale watching tours. Witness majestic whales in their natural habitat while enjoying an eco-friendly experience that emphasizes sustainability. The knowledgeable guides provide insights into the local ecosystem and the species you encounter, making the tour both educational and captivating. Perfect for families, nature lovers, and adventure seekers alike, this tour ensures an unforgettable day on the water. All tours depart from Seaforth Marina, offering a comfortable and accessible starting point for your adventure. - Eco-friendly whale watching tours departing from Seaforth Marina - Expert guides share insights on marine life and ecology - Family-friendly activities suitable for all ages - Enjoy a memorable day at sea while supporting sustainable tourism

from $99

Private Whale Watching in San Diego on a Premium Zodiac

Meet some of the world's most exotic animals with your admission ticket to the renowned San Diego Zoo, one of California's top family-friendly attractions. More than 4,000 animals representing 800 species live in this state-of-the-art zoo, including some that are rarely seen at other zoos. Admire the animals and go in-depth during daily keeper talks. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the San Diego Zoo. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit.

from $894

Per group

San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

(4,514)

1 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

from $78

4.5

(523)

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

1 hour 30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $37

Explore some of the top highlights of San Diego with your or or two day trolley pass (depending on option selected) for the city’s Hop-on, Hop-off Trolley Tour. Choose your own adventure as you get on and off the trolley at any of the 11 included stops, covering famous sights including the Gaslamp Quarter, the San Diego Zoo, USS Midway and the Cruise Ship Terminal, Little Italy, and many more. This San Diego trolley tour also features live commentary from the on-board guide during your ride.

San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

(2,658)

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.

from $57

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

from $56

The renowned San Diego Zoo Safari Park presents more than 3,500 animals roaming in large enclosures that replicate their natural habitat. Go on a safari adventure unlike any other outside of Africa itself, with exhibits inspired by the African Serengeti and the Asian Savanna. With mobile tickets, simply scan your phone for direct entry into the Safari Park. Ticket must be redeemed on travel date selected. Tickets must be purchased at least one day prior to visit. After 3+ years of construction, Elephant Valley is now officially open! Come immerse yourself in this incredible conservation habitat and meet a multi-generational herd of eight African savanna elephants.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

4.0

(382)

2 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

from $78

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.

San Diego Bay Jet Boat Ride

(415)

30 minutesFree Cancellation

from $45

Special Offer

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.

San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

(739)

Put your sea legs to good use while in port and see San Diego’s sights by both land and water on a shore excursion by amphibious vehicle. Listen to stories that bring San Diego’s history to life as you travel along the water’s edge, then steer straight into San Diego Bay. Take in sweeping views of SeaWorld, watch for the seals and sea lions that play, eat and bask at Quivira Basin, and return to your ship along the scenic Harbor Drive.

from

$79

$89

San Diego Shore Excursion: San Diego Seal Tour

(185)

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

from $56

Christened in 1934, Cloudia is a beautifully restored, rare example of a classic Norwegian double ended ketch. Inspired by the original designs of famed naval architect Colin Archer (1832-1921), from Larvik, Norway, the Cloudia is a Listerskøyte. The top-sail ketch is notable for durability and safety. Archer’s shipyard designed and constructed the famed Fram, which participated in a number of expeditions to the North Pole and later supported Roald Amundsen’s historic first expedition to the South Pole. The Cloudia is rigged as a topsail ketch in the British or American style, which means there are 2 two-piece masts which allow her to carry more sail than a traditional Norwegian rig with shorter single masts. Cloudia’s main mast is 85 feet high including the top-jack. Many different woods were used to craft the ship, including Norwegian white oak, sapele hardwood, Douglas fir, Alaskan yellow cedar, and Ipe Brazilian hardwood. Come experience History!

Private Sailing Tour -2 Hour (Up to 12 Passengers)

Sunset Sail Along the San Diego Skyline

from $1,200

Per group

Top Attractions in San Diego

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Attractions

What are people saying about San Diego

Steven_S, May 2026

Nice way to end our vacation

Dress warm! The water and air temperature are cooler than you think. With a limit of 6 passengers it's a cozy ride. A chance to converse with others who are probably from far away. The captain knows the boat well and is very capable of sailing it alone. They provided wine (and snacks I think). City skyline is beautiful and several interesting sights to see. It was a good time!

San Diego Zoo 1-Day Pass: Any Day Ticket

Robert_G, May 2026

Good Attraction if in San Diego

A very good day out, had plenty of time to see all the animals. Would suggest that on arrival that you head to the Panda enclosure as that is very popular although on our visit we just walked into the enclosure and watched the Pandas eating. It is worth a visit.

Whale and Dolphin Watching in San Diego

Jonathan_J, May 2026

BLUE Whales are Real!!

This adventure DID NOR DISAPPOINT!! I’ve been whale watching before but here in San Diego this one must’ve been setup by Mother Nature her self!! From Humpbacks to Fins, to BLUE WHALES!!! Yes you will get a chance to catch a blue whale or two (mother can calf) without watching NatGeo. Our captain Alyssa gave us the best experience even. She was very knowledgeable of the marine wildlife, and knew exactly how to navigate to their feeding ground. The closest I’ve ever been to whales and the Blue whale IS as big as they say. Offshore Blue Adventures boats are the perfect size to handle the ocean and to get as close as possible. I’m a Texas native and will definitely be coming back again for this experience.

San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

Richard_L, Apr 2026

You're the captain!

What a cool experience. Got close to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, saw a pod of dolphins, hung out with some sea lions, and raced around the harbor. That's a LOT of bang for your buck. A must do if you like a bit of adventure and some corny pirate jokes from your friendly tour guide. Just go, you won't be disappointed.

San Diego Seal Tour

Richard_L, Apr 2026

Look Ma, it floats...

The staff was friendly and professional. The equipment being operated was clean and well maintained. What makes this fun is the uniqueness of the transportation. It's something to tell a friend you tried. Just remember to bring a jacket as it gets cold out on the water. The location is also prime as there's lots if dining options when you return to Seaport Village. Probably better to eat after if your sea legs are questionable.

San Diego Hop On Hop Off Trolley Tour

Roni_i, Apr 2026

Best Hop on Hop off I’ve been on!

Very informative. Each driver put their own spin on what we were seeing, so if we went to the same stop more than once, we always heard something new. If the trolley was full and they couldn’t fit you, a back up trolley was sent immediately. I’ve never seen this in a Hop on Hop off. It was FANTASTIC!

San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Amanda_R, Apr 2026

A unique adventure with a friendly crew...and adorable boat pup!

Had a wonderful trip with Fathom and crew. The entire crew was friendly and attentive, making sure we all knew what to expect and where to look. The ship itself was unique - compared to the much larger ships that offer whale watching we were able to manuever more quickly to get closer to whales in real time. We were lucky enough to see several fin whales, two humpback whales, a large group of dolphins, a herd of sea lions, and some Navy SEAL trainings in motion! Definitely bring layers - what feels like a gentle ocean breeze on shore can be a brisk, cold wind once you get a few miles out. And, if you don't end up wearing the extra layer, you can use it to soften the seat. We didn't take advantage of the snacks or soft drinks, though the crew offered them multiple times. The crew was also attentive to look for signs of discomfort, offering a variety of preventatives and remedies to help avoid or reduce sea sickness. The swells were pretty substantial during our trip, and I definitely needed the help. We were also elated that there was a pup on board - Kylo! He traversed the group and got lots of affection.

San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

Alice_J, Apr 2026

It was amazing. The...

It was amazing. The waters were a bit rough, but we still had an amazing time. It was great seeing a whale, but the best part for me were the dolphins. The crew was excellent. Everyone was very friendly and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. I purchased the photograph package and it was well worth money. They captured pictures that I was not able to capture. I would definitely take the tour again

San Diego: 3 Hour Whale Watch Cruise with Legacy Whale Watch

Dajana_M, Apr 2026

A great experience

Great experience! We got to see bottlenose dolphins and blue fin mother whales with their calves. We were really lucky to be able to see them up close. The check in process was easy and getting on the boat was pretty quick. There were plenty of seats and the boat could probably accommodate 100 guests. The crew was friendly and very knowledgeable. There were two naturalists from the Museum of Natural history that were sharing whale facts and what to look for before we got on the boat. Overall great experience.

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

Katie_P, Apr 2026

Great trip with kids!

Great boat ride! I went with my 2 & 6 year old, and this was the perfect boat trip. Good length, interesting things to look at (my son loved all the navy boats) and a safe boat fo my 2 year old to explore. The captan provided interesting information and the boarding process was easy.

San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Jack_H, Mar 2026

Great whale watching experience

We all had a great time. We really enjoed being out on the water and for my grandkids. It was the first time they had seen whales. The lady who did most of the talking was very informative and easy to follow. She made the trip very enjoyable by making sure we knew where to look and when to look.