San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise
Recommended by 91% of travelers
San Diego, USA
- 2 to 3 hours (approx.)
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Venture out into the open ocean on a San Diego whale-watching cruise
- See whales, dolphins, and other marine life in their natural environment
- Learn from a skilled captain and onboard expert guides and naturalists who know the best places to find wildlife
- Cruise across scenic Mission Bay with a convenient departure point
What's Included
- Expert guides identify wildlife and landmarks in real time over the microphone.
- Galley with Food & Drink options for purchase
- Restroom on board
- Free Parking on Quivira Road
- Alcoholic Beverages - Available for purchase after 3 miles
- Soda/pop/snacks - available for purchase
- Optional Gratuities
- Parking Fees - Free Parking on Quivira Road only
- Priority Boarding available upgrade for $10.00 a person
- Binocular Rentals available for $6.00 a pair
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 1617 Quivira Rd, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
Ticket booth / Check-in: Look for a grey shed with a blue awning facing the water. Located between H2o Jet Ski rentals and the Fish & Chips Restaurant. https://maps.app.goo.gl/1P1Qt8Uea5m8ZpM56
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
South Mission Beach Park (Pass By)
Ocean Beach (Pass By)
Mission Beach Boardwalk (Pass By)
Belmont Park (Pass By)
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your departure time
- Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult
- Dress code is smart casual. The ocean is between 10°-15° cooler than the bay
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 100 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Alice_J
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
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,696 reviews
Matthew_G, Jun 2026
Highly recommend this trip! Crew was awesome! Sights were great on the sunset tour. Definitely bring a jacket and/or blanket for cooler temperature and sea spray.
Doreen_P, Jun 2026
It was a wonderful day. We got to enjoy dolphins playing while enjoy the waves and our host wwere all fantastic
lilishea, Jun 2026
Omg this ship the captain the whole crew they go the extra mile to be sure u see the whales
I went with them
In the morning and because we did not see any they invited us to go back
Laura_E, Jun 2026
We saw a bunch of whales, dolphins and sea lions. It was spectacular! The best boat trip I have ever been on!
Scott_G, Jun 2026
The dolphins running next to the boat was amazing, Had a great time until getting back slapped with a vomit bag, followed by complete sedation once we arrived back at the hotel, laid down at 5pm woke up groggy at 7am with headache, but we didn't get seasick
Robert_P, Jun 2026
Make sure and take a jacket just in case! Put on
some sunblock too or at least take some with you just in case
Nina_V, Jun 2026
It was pretty cold. Make sure you wear lots of layers and if you get seasick at all, be sure to take meds. Lots of people were sick. We saw hundreds of dolphins, but didn’t see any whales so that was sad but not something that could be controlled. All the crew were friendly and moved around the boat talking to folks throughout the cruise.
Fredrick_F, Jun 2026
The dolphins stole the show. It was a nice and professional cruise overall. I know that some people got sea sick though.
Collin_K, Jun 2026
The trip and crew couldn't have been better. No whales, no problem. Seeing so many dolphins was a amazing.
Michael_M, Jun 2026
We didn’t see any whales or dolphins on our trip which is no ones fault.
The major disappointment was the crew and naturalist could be seen in the wheelhouse chatting amongst themselves for a good portion of the voyage.
We would have hoped they could have spent more time actually looking for whales, dolphins…
In addition, the naturalist could have spent time educating the people on whale, dolphin behaviors etc…
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share this, Michael. We understand your frustration, especially since seeing no wildlife is hard enough without also feeling like the crew wasn't fully engaged in the search, and this is something we will address with our team.
It's worth noting that our crew and naturalist are typically in the wheelhouse for a reason: they're actively scanning for wildlife and communicating with other boats on the radio to track sightings across the bay, since finding whales and dolphins is always their top priority. That said, we hear you that it can come across as disengaged from a guest's perspective, and we want every guest to feel that effort, not just know it's happening behind the scenes. We're working with our team on ways to make that more visible and to spend more time actively educating guests on whale and dolphin behavior throughout the trip.
Because no whales or dolphins were sighted on your trip, our sighting guarantee applies and we'd like to provide you with return passes that never expire. Please reach out to us at contact@sdwhalewatch.com with your booking details and we'll get those arranged for you.
We appreciate you bringing this to our attention, Michael. It genuinely helps us hold our team to a higher standard.
Cindy_S, Jun 2026
It was a fabulous whale watching trip!! We saw humpbacks and a fin whale. And lots of dolphins, seals, and sea birds. We had a complete female crew. The captain, Vanessa. The naturalist, Alison. The deck person, Sarah. And the galley person, Katy. They all did a fabulous job. (Great speaker system too). Sarah was all over the place making sure that everyone was ok. We both loved the experience.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you, Cindy! We're so proud of our all-female crew! Captain Vanessa, naturalist Alison, Sarah on deck, and Katy in the galley; we'll be sure to share your kind words with them. So glad you both loved the experience! We'd love to welcome you back on board again soon!
Grayden_W, Jun 2026
The crew was great and we appreciate the voucher to come back since we were unable to spot a whale. Look forward to trying again
Curtis_H, Jun 2026
It was pretty cool. I’ve never been in the ocean and felt totally safe. The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely wear a coat and cover your ears. The whales totally cooperated. I would definitely do it again.
Elizabeth_M, Jun 2026
We had a fabulous time. We saw dolfins, seabirds, and sealions.
The crew was phenomenal. Colleen (nature guide) was fun, engagin, and informative. The ride was smooth (for the ocean) and brought us to great spots for spotting wildlife (Thanks Captain Mike). The support crew was great, Taylor, Joe, and Max provided quick, efficient service. And Joe helped one of our friends when she felt seasick.
Overall, this was a great experience with a great crew.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your review! We're thrilled you had such a wonderful experience with us. We’ll be sure to share your compliments with Colleen, Captain Mike, Taylor, Joe, and Max. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
William_K, Jun 2026
All of the crew was amazing.
Rough water and obvious the pilot knew exactly how to navigate. The naturalist was so good at explaining everything, making the time not only fun but informative. The crew was very attentive to the needs of each person. Would highly recommend!!!
Rebecca_T, May 2026
I will honestly say this was one of the best boat rides I have ever experienced in my life!!!! If I could rate it 1000/10 I would! Sarah on the boat was going around asking how we were doing and it was truly genuine and she was making sure everyone was happy taking pics for us and getting to know us. She was truly remarkable. Everyone else on the boat was extremely helpful and just truly happy to be there. You can tell they enjoy what they do every day. The WHALES WE GOT TO SEE WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! AND THE DOLPHINS!!! Everything was just amazing! Thank you all for everything worth EVERY PENNY!!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much, Rebecca! This review made our day! We'll absolutely pass your kind words along to Sarah! We're so glad the whales and dolphins delivered and that every penny felt well spent. We'd love to welcome you back on board again soon!
Robert_A, May 2026
An Absolute Nightmare – Avoid This Outfit!
After paying $600 for my family, we were packed onto a boat with about 50 other people and shipped out into massive ocean swells. The captain ran the boat at … More
Nathan Barnes
Local Guide·58 reviews·145 photos
4 months ago
Had a great day planned but a fog bank rolled in and sent us packing early - but we do get to see some dolphins. On the bright side the waters were calm, saw some sun, fog, and felt like a pirate movie. The staff were amazing and even gave … More
Sea lions on a mooring buoy
Video 2 in review by Nathan Barnes
Tour boat safety equipment
Ocean sunset with fog layer+3
San Diego Whale Watch (Owner)
4 months ago
Thank you, Nathan! We're glad you had a memorable day despite the fog and that you got to see some dolphins. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the calm waters and the pirate movie vibe. We appreciate your kind words about our staff and look forward to welcoming you back!
Kendra Pippin
Local Guide·23 reviews·6 photos
4 months ago
My husband and I booked this tour with San Diego Whale Watch with no prior experience in San Diego. We are Florida natives and it exceeded all expectations. The boat was large, clean, and comfortable, with plenty of great food and drink … More
Photo 1 in review by Kendra Pippin
Photo 2 in review by Kendra Pippin
Photo 3 in review by Kendra Pippin
Photo 4 in review by Kendra Pippin
❤️2
San Diego Whale Watch (Owner)
4 months ago
Kendra, thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're so glad to hear that you and your husband enjoyed the tour and were able to see so much wildlife. It's great to know that the boat and amenities exceeded your expectations. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments!
Enzo Sullivan
Local Guide·37 reviews·9 photos
3 months ago
We had a wonderful sunny Sunday afternoon experience. Got to see a whale, some seals and dolphins. The crew was fantastic! The information given about the sea life was very informative! The boat is clean and kept up very nice. The website … More
Photo 1 in review by Enzo Sullivan
Photo 2 in review by Enzo Sullivan
Photo 3 in review by Enzo Sullivan
San Diego Whale Watch (Owner)
3 months ago
Thank you, Enzo! We're so glad to hear you had a wonderful experience on your sunny Sunday afternoon. It's great that you got to see such amazing sea life and that our crew provided you with informative insights. We appreciate your kind words about the cleanliness of the boat and the ease of our website. Your feedback means a lot to us!
Bob A
Local Guide·57 reviews·4 photos
10 hours ago
New
An Absolute Nightmare – Avoid This Outfit!
After paying $600 for my family, we were packed onto a boat with about 50 other people and shipped out into massive ocean swells. The captain ran the boat at full throttle, causing us to relentlessly smash and roll into the waves. It was terrifying and miserable, to say the least. Meanwhile, a calm voice repeatedly came over the loudspeaker asking us to look for whales—yet not a single whale or dolphin was in sight.
With their daily operation and supposed expertise, this company absolutely knew the rough seas would keep the wildlife away, but they ran the trip anyway just to keep our money. Instead of a wildlife tour, we got a 3.5-hour ride from hell. People were vomiting all over the place. In our section alone, we counted at least 15 kids, teens, and adults in severe distress. The crew was expertly passing out plastic barf bags, so they clearly knew what to expect.
When they finally let us off, they handed out pre-printed raincheck cards. They do this knowing most passengers are tourists from out of state who will never be able to use them. It's a calculated scam. Save your money and your stomach—BEWARE!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share this, and we are truly sorry for what you and your family experienced. Spending $600 and having the trip turn into something frightening and physically miserable is not acceptable, and we understand completely why you feel the way you do.
Ocean conditions can shift quickly, and on the day of your trip the swells were significantly rougher than ideal. We hear your concern that the trip should not have run under those conditions, and we are taking that feedback seriously as we review our decision-making process around weather and sea state. Your family's safety and comfort should always come first.
Because no whales or dolphins were sighted on your trip, our sighting guarantee applies. We recognize the raincheck cards you received may not be practical for out-of-state visitors, and we do not want that to feel like a dead end. Please reach out to us directly at contact@sdwhalewatch.com with your booking details and we will work with you on a resolution that actually makes sense for your situation, whether that is a refund, a transferable credit, or another arrangement.
We are sorry this trip did not reflect the experience we aim to provide. Your feedback matters and we are using it to do better.
Mariyah_N, May 2026
The journey was much longer than expected. I normally don’t get seasick, but this boat made me extremely nauseous, and a lot of other people around us were getting sick as well. Seating was also very limited, and priority boarding didn’t really feel worth it since people moved around throughout the trip and seats were constantly being taken. Seeing the dolphins was definitely a highlight, but about an hour in, most people seemed ready for the ride to be over — and there were still two more hours left.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your review, Mariyah, and we're glad the dolphins were a highlight of your trip!
We're sorry the experience fell short in other ways. A 3-hour tour can feel much longer when you're feeling nauseous, and we completely understand how uncomfortable that must have been, especially when others around you were feeling the same way. We're looking at ways our crew can be more proactive in checking on guests and providing support during rougher stretches of the journey.
We also hear you on the priority boarding. It's designed to get you on the vessel first so you can choose your preferred seat before other guests board, and we're sorry it didn't feel like that advantage carried through the whole trip. We're reviewing how we manage seating to make sure the experience better reflects what guests are expecting when they choose that option.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your honest feedback, Mariyah. It genuinely helps us improve, and we still hope to welcome you back for a much better experience.
Pamela_L, May 2026
It's a fun tour. Please remember to bundle up as the winds are always blowing and it can be very chilly out on the water! We missed out on having clear skies, but got sightings of many, many dolphins. Best part was seeing a blue whale on his three surface times!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you, Pamela! We're glad you had an amazing experience. And great tip about bundling up; we always say layers are a must out on the water! We hope to see you back on board for another adventure soon!
Robert_R, May 2026
Yhe Whale watching Cruise was a great experience
The crew was very knowledgeable, polite and attentive to our needs
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you, Robert! We're so glad you had a great experience and that our crew made the trip special. We'd love to have you back on board for another awesome adventure!
Mary_H, May 2026
We did see dolphins, a turtle and a blue whale.
Great information and tracking of the blue whale.
For it not being whale season, we were pleasantly surprised.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you, Mary! We're so glad you enjoyed your experience with us. We hope to have you back on board soon!
TILFENY_C, May 2026
The crew was nice and very accommodating. I got seasick and the Terrill was right there to help. We saw a lot of dolphins and quite a few whales.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you, Tilfeny! We're sorry to hear you got seasick, but we're so glad our crew were right there for you! It means a lot that you still had fun and got to enjoy the dolphins and whales despite it all. We hope to see you back on board soon!
Donna_S, May 2026
They are very organized. My trip was cancelled due to rough water and the process was very friendly to book another time.
The staff is very friendly and accomodating. A couple of people on the trip needed assistance and the staff were kind, helpful, and friendly with each encounter I witnessed.
The narration on the trip is super helpful to understand what they are looking for and what the ocean is doing, etc.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you, Donna! We're so glad we could turn a cancelled trip into a great experience and that our crew's care and narration made it all worthwhile. We'd love to welcome you back again soon!
Sujata_D, May 2026
Amazing experience—saw so many dolphins, several different types of whales,
sea lions. The dolphins put on a show! Excellent crew, especially when I started feeling overheated.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you, Sujata! We're so happy our team could take great care of you! We'd love to have you back on board for another adventure!
Lorena_D, May 2026
Didn’t get to see any whales but saw so many dolphins, sea lions, and birds. I got seasick but the crew was amazing in helping me recover. Still had a great time regardless!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much, Lorena! We’re sorry the seas were a bit rough for you, but we’re really glad our crew could help and that you still had a great time. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Melissa_C, May 2026
Amazing! Wonderful! Saw so many dolphins, sea lions, seals, sea birds, pelicans and 5 species of whale!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your review, Melissa! We’re thrilled you had such an unforgettable experience and got to see so much incredible wildlife. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Rebecca_B, May 2026
We had a wonderful experience and saw lots of wildlife - including whales! The boat was almost at capacity - but seating didn’t really matter that much once we were watching dolphins and whales as everyone was against the railing. Caution - If you are prone to motion sickness this might not be the trip for you as a few on board became ill.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your review, Rebecca! We’re so glad you had a wonderful experience and enjoyed all the wildlife sightings. We truly appreciate you sharing your helpful advice for future guests and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Yuming_L, May 2026
Wonderful trip. Saw a lot of sea birds, dolphins, and whales! Highly recommended! Also the tour itself is so much fun!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much, Yuming! We’re so glad you had such a fun and memorable experience with us. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Laura_R, May 2026
Great experience!
Lots of wildlife. Much better than we anticipated!
Crew was great!!
Loved the opportunity to buy pics at the end of tour
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you so much, Laura! We’re so happy the experience exceeded your expectations and truly appreciate your kind words. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Bobbie_G, May 2026
I enjoyed the trip! The dolphins were amazing! The staff went the extra mile to make it enjoyable! Would do it again
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for the kind words, Bobbie! We're thrilled the dolphins delivered and that our crew made the experience memorable for you. Hearing that you'd do it again truly means a lot to us.
We noticed you gave us 3 stars and we'd love to know what we could have done to make it a full 5-star experience for you. Your feedback helps us improve, and we want every guest to leave feeling like it was the trip of a lifetime. Feel free to reach out to us at contact@sdwhalewatch.com and we'd love to hear your thoughts.
We hope to welcome you back on the water soon, Bobbie!
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per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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