Epic San Diego Whale Watching: Unforgettable Ocean Journey
Set sail from scenic Mission Bay and encounter some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures on a 2–3 hour whale-watching adventure in San Diego. Time can vary based on the season and locations of sightings. In just 10 minutes, you’ll leave the bay behind and be out in the open Pacific, scanning for whales, dolphins, and other fascinating marine life. Led by an expert guide and naturalist alongside a skilled captain, every moment is an opportunity for an extraordinary encounter.
Reviews
Reviews and Rating (Tripadvisor)
5 stars
Reviews by Tripadvisor travelers
Penny_A, 12/12/2025 12:18:18 PM
It was incredible to sail alongside the whales, and when we ran into the thousands of dolphins feeding frenzy! It was astonishing to see!
Margaret S, 12/9/2025 7:51:12 PM
We saw several whales, one of which surfaced very close to the boat, and then cross in front of our bow and came up again several times. It was awesome!
patricisv2018, 12/9/2025 7:37:43 PM
It was very lovely! Crew were all very friendly and knowledgeable. From check in to disembarking, it was a great afternoon! We did see a few whales and got up close to one that surprised us right alongside the boat! Would definitely recommend to any ocean lovers
Heather_N, 12/9/2025 6:43:02 PM
It was awesome!! Spent a lot of the time with a humpback whale. Even had to navigate around a navy ship and they got it done !!
Jeffrey_R, 12/8/2025 7:24:01 PM
We were on our way back after seeing hundreds of dolphins, when all of a sudden the whales appeared!
Ankit_A, 12/8/2025 12:33:34 PM
Really good overall experience. The people are super nice- Allison is a good naturalist and the crew do a great job at explaining things and pointing things out. You will see a lot of dolphins and some whales based on luck (we saw 2) They do a good job at being organized and really putting in the effort. They will upsell a priority booking. And I promise its not worth it. Basically- you can board first and get the best seat in the house- but then people who board last will come and stand in front of you and crowd out the whole bow - so save that ten bucks.
88xingyur, 12/7/2025 12:10:10 PM
Very great experience！The whale-watching cruise was incredible! We were greeted by playful dolphins riding the bow waves, then witnessed a majestic whale breach and blow a sparkling spray. The journey ended with a breathtaking sunset painting the ocean in gold and crimson as the whale’s silhouette melted into the glowing sea. A truly magical moment where the vastness of the ocean met the wonder of life.
Xiujing X, 12/6/2025 11:37:33 PM
amazing experience!!! Highly recommend it. We had the best luck today that we saw whale right after heading out, and thanks to crew we were able to saw the whale several times. And then a large group of > 500 dolphins! It was the best experience ever. Kudos to the whole team: Capt. Brian, Naturalist Alison, Deck Sam & Oscar, Galley Brandon, for an amazing job done!
mandyklink07, 12/6/2025 12:46:56 PM
Absolutely incredible! Saw 8 whales, hundreds of dolphins, and many sea lions. Truly an amazing experience!
Jessica_N, 12/5/2025 12:09:53 PM
It was worth every penny. We saw 1000s of dolphins and 3 whales per time. It looked like the dolphins and whales had the show in the ocean.
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Departure point
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/1P1Qt8Uea5m8ZpM56Return details
Set sail from scenic Mission Bay and encounter some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures on a 2–3 hour whale-watching adventure in San Diego. Time can vary based on the season and locations of sightings. In just 10 minutes, you’ll leave the bay behind and be out in the open Pacific, scanning for whales, dolphins, and other fascinating marine life. Led by an expert guide and naturalist alongside a skilled captain, every moment is an opportunity for an extraordinary encounter.Redemption
During the summer months, holidays and weekends there is a lot of traffic in Mission Bay so please plan to arrive early to find a parking spot. Please follow the timeline below to ensure a smooth and on-time departure: 45 minutes before departure – Check-In Opens Arrive and proceed to the Ticketbooth to check in and receive your physical boarding pass. We’ll confirm that you’ve completed the electronic waiver. A link was sent via messaging. We can also send it to you in a text message if you let us know in advance. 20–30 minutes before departure – Priority Boarding Begins One of our crew members will make an announcement for priority boarding, and those who upgraded to priority boarding may begin boarding. You can still upgrade to this at any time. Just let us know in advance. You must still check in at the Ticketbooth to receive your boarding pass. 10–15 minutes before departure – General Boarding Begins General ticket holders will begin boarding. Be sure to check in at the Ticketbooth beforehand and have your boarding pass ready. 5 minutes before departure – Check-In Closes We cannot hold the boat for tardy parties, however, we can rebook to a later time or date if applicable. A $2.50 rebooking fee per person applies.24 hours before travel date - 100% refund
Less than 24 hours before travel date - 0% refund