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
Julie_L, 10/25/2025 12:50:04 AM
We were lucky to experience a pod of dolphins that was large (they said around 400) and a humpback whale. Great time!
Eric_B, 10/24/2025 9:25:16 PM
This was a wonderful experience! I'd highly recommend it. We saw 2 whales. Spotted the same humpback 3 different times up close twice and then got in the middle of a pod of over 400 dolphins that was just amazing. Watching them jump and swim right next to the boat. I've never seen anything like it.
Nadine_T, 10/23/2025 6:34:27 PM
absolut amazing 1000 percent recommend!! we had a blast and the mimosas were also great!! we saw a lot of whales and the crew was so amazing and kind and fun
_O6454QB, 10/22/2025 9:34:55 PM
Overall, it was a great experience! The first hour was a bit uneventful as we were just sailing without seeing much, but around 80 minutes into the trip we entered an active area and were surrounded by hundreds of dolphins. Even more exciting, we were lucky enough to spot a whale feeding together with large flocks of seabirds, truly spectacular! I joined the 4:00 PM tour, which came with the special bonus of witnessing a stunning sunset over the ocean. It was breathtaking. A few tips for future visitors: it gets really cold on the water, so make sure to dress warmly. The boat sells snacks, but when I started feeling a bit cold and seasick, I found myself craving something salty or spicy rather than the sweet candy bars they offered. Lastly, the staff on shore were very friendly and even helped me store my suitcase. Highly recommended!
Lorraine_G, 10/22/2025 12:54:54 PM
Fabulous & knowledge crew really love sharing their knowledge, we LOVED it! The whales were not easy to find that day but they were determined to try &were as thrilled as we were when they did.
Edward_K, 10/21/2025 9:23:37 PM
Bring warm clothes… the crew is amazing and it’s beautiful. You’ll learn something and be amazed by the beauty
165leighanne, 10/21/2025 5:18:00 PM
Had an amazing time with SDWW on their first extended tour. We followed several humpbacks, and saw a minke, and lots of dolphins. Also saw two firsts for me - Guadalupe fur seals and an Herman's Gull. The captain and crew are fantastic!!
Victor_C, 10/21/2025 1:27:39 PM
This was a wonderful experience. Memories forever. We came from AZ an was so very smitten with our whole experience. Our grandchildren enjoyed this trip.
Silviu_R, 10/21/2025 1:27:04 PM
We left bay around noon and as soon as we’ve left we had the amazing luck to see whales and for the next 2 hours we watched them swimming next to us . It was breathtaking. Thank you team !
David_K, 10/21/2025 12:39:56 PM
When the wales cooperate you can get really close to them. It will be windy even in sunny San Diego so pack accordingly
- 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