San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise
Recommended by 91% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
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
Lisa_L
Great experience and very informative. Very friendly and knowledgeable crew. Highly recommend this excursion !
Reviews
4.6
based on 1,642 reviews
Sauparna_S, Apr 2026
We were fortunate as it turned out to be a great day for sighting fin whales. The crew were quite knowledgeable and found the right locations and hovered around for enough sightings.
Katherine_H, Apr 2026
Beautiful morning spent out on the water. Really friendly and knowledgeable crew. We saw so many dolphins and 2 fin whales. Plus plenty of birds and sea lions. We felt really lucky
Alexa_H, Apr 2026
Bring layers, sunscreen. Snacks and beverages on the boat once you get beyond 3 miles offshore. Definitely choppy water so prepare if you’re prone to motion sickness. But the tour itself was amazing. Saw a mother and calf fin whale and a pod of common dolphins, amongst other sea life. Well worth it! Would go again.
Phyllis_D, Apr 2026
We had a wonderful time on the water
watching many dolphins and whales! The crew were all great; so friendly and helpful! Thanks for a great end to our trip!!
Natalia_B, Apr 2026
The tour was very well organized, location, time, all the details were clear. I took a tour with my 3 years old son, we had a stroller with us but we left it on the first floor of the ship and walked upstairs. Second floor has some shaded seats which we took thanks to priority boarding and it was very nice. Although it got pretty cold in the middle of the trip, but we were prepared. I didn’t see anybody got seasick but I did take a pill just in case prior to the trip. Staff also has medication on board if needed.
As for actual whales and dolphins experience - we got very lucky and saw 2 different types of whales and many dolphins jumping very near our boat. Whales were quite far but by law you can’t approach them too close. It was awesome to see these animals. Naturalist were very knowledgeable and together with the captain did their best to find best spots to see the whales.
Autumn_M, Apr 2026
Bring warm clothes! I wish this was noted in the “things you need to know” section. It’s obviously very windy, but half the boat is shaded so it’s very cold and add in the waves splashing on the boat if you are not prepared you will be cold. Our day was full sun and 72° and we were cold.
If you can do priority boarding for $10 a person that would be a good idea so you can sit up top and see better.
The host was really good and seems to love was she does. I do feel like it was not easy to know what we were looking for. Maybe the deck hands could walk around and show photos of what we were supposed to be looking for. Especially for little ones.
It did get to be a little long driving out and back. Not sure if there are other things to be mentioned to keep people entertained. Like mentioning the different things we were passing as we passed by them. More history about the area maybe. Stories about the sea? Even some music?
The audio was most good, but in some areas of the boat it was hard to hear.
All and all we did see many dolphins, and 2 whales which was really cool. We really enjoyed our experience!
Tiffany_M, Mar 2026
Fun experience. The crew was helpful, friendly and funny. We saw whales but even if you don’t it’s a nice ocean cruise and good value for the money.
Palash_S, Mar 2026
Went out on a lovely day towards the end of March
The tour guide was great, and that goes for the entire crew on board
We saw about 4-5 whales and a lot of dolphins, guess it was a lucky day, as it's always a hit or miss with these things, and nothing that can be controlled by the operators
The guide and the crew were just as excited to spot these animals which made us feel like they love their jobs too and it was a good day for them as well
I believe even if we did not see as many whales/dolphins, it would've been a fun trip and worth the money, thanks to the staff !
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Palash! We’re so glad you had such a great experience and truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback. It means a lot to hear you enjoyed the trip regardless, and we hope to welcome you back again soon!
Hannah_S, Mar 2026
This was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever gotten to be part of. I’m from Dallas so I don’t get to see much water especially water with whales and dolphins!! The crew was so amazing, sweet and made us all feel comfortable. I will be back in a few months to bring my son along for the ride!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Hannah! We’re thrilled you had such an incredible experience and truly appreciate your kind words. We can’t wait to welcome you and your son on your next visit!
Jeffrey_P, Mar 2026
Be prepared to see some cool stuff with an amazing crew making memories that will last a lifetime , it was amazing
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Jeffrey! We’re so glad you had such an amazing day and truly appreciate you sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Tiffany_L, Mar 2026
Literally so amazing. Not everyone will get to experience what we did but we saw so many whales and dolphins up close. The staff were experienced and friendly and it was so easy to navigate. They communicated so well and made the process so unbelievably easy. Would definitely recommend
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Tiffany! We’re thrilled you had such an incredible experience and truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Janice_D, Mar 2026
Whale sightings are not guaranteed so keep your eyes open! We were fortunate and saw one who put on a show.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Janice! We’re so glad you had a great experience and were able to catch a special sighting. We hope to see you again soon!
Mandy_D, Mar 2026
Absolutely incredible. Leaving from this location is key so you can get out in the Pacific quickly. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Mandy! We’re thrilled you had such an incredible experience and truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Elizabeth_A, Mar 2026
This was a really cool cruise out into the pacific. Dress for cool breezes! We saw cute sea lions but no whales. We were given a voucher for another ride, but obviously we would have preferred to see them the first time.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Elizabeth! We’re glad you enjoyed your time on the water and appreciate your understanding. We hope you’ll be able to join us again and have a chance to see whales next time!
Andrew_B, Mar 2026
Make sure to bring a jacket. I’d say you don’t need priority boarding if going during the week, we had regular and still got great seats
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Andrew! We’re glad you had a great experience and appreciate you sharing your helpful tips. We hope to see you again soon!
Julie_A, Mar 2026
The naturalist onboard was very knowledgable and all the staff friendly. We saw lots of dolphins and sea lions. We only saw one whale which is part of the hit and miss with whale watching. Very enjoyable.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Julie! We’re so glad you had an enjoyable experience and truly appreciate your kind words about our crew. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Sandy_S, Mar 2026
We saw Finland and humpbacks whales. Also saw sea lions and lots of birds. The narrator was extremely knowledge about the different type of whales
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Sandy! We’re so glad you had a great experience and enjoyed learning along the way. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Ellen_C, Mar 2026
The crew's naturalist was informative and entertaining. They worked hard to find the best animal watching opportunities, and the views were beautiful. We saw two fin whales and a humpback whale. It is 10-20 degrees cooler on the water, and definitely bring Dramamine.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Ellen! We’re so glad your family had such a great time with us. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Lenny_N, Mar 2026
Great views of whales, good expertise in explaining the types of whales and their behaviors. Beautiful weather and views.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Lenny! We’re so glad you had a great experience and truly appreciate you sharing your feedback. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Kurt_M, Mar 2026
Great boat and crew they were all pleasant and knew what they were doing. Narration was great and they also take photos.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Kurt! We’re so glad you had a great trip and truly appreciate your kind words. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Esther_S, Mar 2026
Delightful experience. Knowledgeable staff. Conscientious toward nature and the whales. I recommend following all guidelines especially arriving 45 minutes before departure. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Esther! We’re so glad you had a delightful experience and truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to see you again soon!
Sherryl_M, Mar 2026
Great experience, awesome staff, and had a beautiful day. Our boat was full with approximately 100 people. Our boat cruise was about 2.5 hours long and went as far as 5 miles from where we started. Definitely take some dramamine for motion sickness, because you'll definitely feel lots of movement on this boat. It wasn't too windy this day, but you still feel the swaying side to side. A few people did get sick. We saw three whales, a few dolphins, and plenty of sea birds. Perfect for those who never experienced whale watching before or if you're a visitor and just want to go on a short cruise along the coast in San Diego. Just bring a jacket. Good times!!!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Sherryl! We’re so glad you had a great time and truly appreciate you sharing your experience and helpful tips. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
Emerald_L, Mar 2026
Disappointed to not get close views of the whales
The crew on board was nice the breeze the vibe was relaxing just the main point for me was to see whales closer up than we did.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your feedback, Emerald. We’re glad you enjoyed the atmosphere and our crew, and we appreciate you sharing your thoughts; we hope to have you back out with us again.
Jacqueline_H, Mar 2026
We paid extra for priority boarding and it was worth it! The crew members shared recommendations where to sit with 3 under 6.
Thoroughly enjoyed by all!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Jacqueline! We’re so glad you and your family had a great experience. We truly appreciate you sharing your feedback and hope to see you all again soon!
Sadie_W, Mar 2026
Great experience, very friendly crew. Saw a whale and dolphins. Would recommend if interested in whale watching.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Sadie! We’re so glad you had a great experience and truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to see you again soon!
Carlos_C, Mar 2026
What a great place to visit with family and friends make sure you enjoy it and be ready to have fun.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Carlos! We’re so glad you had a great time and appreciate you sharing your experience. Hope to welcome you back again soon!
Lisa_L, Mar 2026
Great experience and very informative. Very friendly and knowledgeable crew. Highly recommend this excursion !
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much, Lisa! We’re so glad you had a great experience and truly appreciate your recommendation. We hope to see you again soon!
Bonnie_M, Mar 2026
I always book with this group when I'm in San Diego.
They are professional, friendly, knowledgeable, and appear to try on every trip to offer the best experience that the wildlife permits them.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you, Bonnie! We truly appreciate your continued support. We’re always happy to have you on board and look forward to your next visit!
Howard_H, Mar 2026
This was a great experience! The staff and captain were awesome. Everyone was extremely helpful and friendly. We saw hundreds of dolphins and a very large whale! My wife and I paid extra ($199) to sit/stand up top with the captain, it was definitely worth it. We could move from side to side quickly for the best viewing while the dolphins were zipping back and forth. A few people got seasick and the staff were doing everything they could to keep them comfortable. The only thing I might do differently next time is to go 2 or 3 days in a row as the marine mammals seen are different every day. I highly recommend this company for a whale watching excursion!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the wonderful review, Howard! We’re thrilled you and your wife had such a great experience and that the best seat upgrade made it even more special. It’s great to hear our crew helped take care of everyone on board. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would love to have you back out with us again!
Marie_S, Mar 2026
We had a great cruise, saw a fin whale and many dolphins. The crew is really nice and attentive and we also appreciated all the marine and wildlife information.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you, Marie! We’re so glad you had a great time with us and truly appreciate you sharing your experience. We hope to welcome you back again soon!
From $71.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise
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