This was a four and half hour whale watching cruise. I really enjoyed the cruise. It was relaxing, peaceful and I felt like all the stress and tiredness of the past several days went away with ease. Only real issue was....I didn't see a single whale, orca, dolphin or whatever out in the ocean. I did see host of naval helicopters and few flying fishes in the distance. Some people claims to have seen something but the rest of the boat did not. The schooner, America is a real treat and the boat was well helmed by its captain, Troy Sears who also owned the schooner. The schooner handled the water very well and the ship was well handled. I am pretty sure that he and the crew did their best to find something, but this is southern California, not Hawaii or Alaska. I didn't hold it against them for not finding what wasn't out there. Like I wrote earlier, I was enjoying the cruise and relaxing. It would have been nice to have a cold beer in my hand but even paradise got its limit. If Capt. Sears is reading this, my owl gave his best to you.
San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
+8 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Price from
- $85 / person
- Location
- San Diego, United States
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 2,537 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 77
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- San Diego Whale Watching & Charters - Next Level Sailing
- Meeting point
- Check in opens an hour before departure time and closes 30 minutes before. If you arrive after check in, you will miss the boat. Check in flag located across street from the Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Blue Wave Bar & Grill. Additional Information will show specific check in times.
Description
Whale watching season is all year long in San Diego! Our team at Next Level Sailing provides the optimal experience with guides so experienced we received a 100 percent success rate during winter whale watching when spotting the King of the Deep. We are one of the best outdoor activities to do in San Diego. Gray whale watching season spans from mid-December through April. Blue whales and fin whales are seen feeding in San Diego from April - August. Humpback whales and minke whales are seen throughout the year, particularly in the spring, summer, and fall. Aboard our 141-foot sailing yacht, the Yacht America, you will see a plethora of whales firsthand in their natural habitat. In addition to whales, we also see dolphins and sea lions, and an abundance of naval activity. Don't be surprised if you see an F-18 fly overhead! Bring your own picnic, friends, and family for a wonderful day out on the water
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:15 PM, and 2:00 PM
- Next available
- Sat, Oct 10
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $85
- Child (ages 0–12)
- $43
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
In demand: 100 of the next 120 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 9.
Tour Options
What's included
Included
Approximately 4 hours (3.5-4.5 hours depending on weather)
Sightings Guarantee: No whales or dolphins? Come back for free (no expiration, non-transferable)
Free Parking. Check-in located next to parking lot.
No seasickness' guarantee: Lose your lunch, we get you a new one
All safety equipment and life jackets
Sodas and snacks
Restroom facilities onboard
Live guide with marine wildlife commentary
Replica historic sailing schooner experience (1851 America's Cup winner)
Not included
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off NOT included
Bring layers, blankets, and jackets. It can be cold on the water!
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
2,537 reviews
How it compares in San Diego
- No. 4 by number of reviews among 514 tours in San Diego
- Starting price $85 is 35% below the typical $130 for tours of similar length in San Diego
Excurgo comparison of 514 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please call if you have a wheelchair so we can discuss the boarding options as we have had guests with wheelchairs enjoy this experience. We do have 5 steps in order to board the vessel. There is a single step in the deck. Please call Thank you!
- Adult Ticket for ages 13-99 years old. Child Ticket for ages 0-12.
- 9:00 AM trip: Check in between 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
- 11:00 AM trip: Check-in starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 10:30 AM
- 1:15 PM trip: Check in between 12:30 - 12:45
- 2:00 PM Trip: Check in between 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM
- Bring layers, blankets, and jackets. It can be cold on the water!
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does San Diego Whale Watching Cruise take?
San Diego Whale Watching Cruise lasts about 4 hours.
How much does San Diego Whale Watching Cruise cost?
Prices start at $85 per person for this San Diego experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does San Diego Whale Watching Cruise run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:15 PM, and 2:00 PM.
How much does San Diego Whale Watching Cruise cost for children?
Children aged 0–12 pay from $43, adults from $85.
Does San Diego Whale Watching Cruise sell out?
It can: 100 of the next 120 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel San Diego Whale Watching Cruise for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is Check in opens an hour before departure time and closes 30 minutes before. If you arrive after check in, you will miss the boat. Check in flag located across street from the Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Blue Wave Bar & Grill. Additional Information will show specific check in times. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is San Diego Whale Watching Cruise offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 77 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Specialized infant seats are available Adult Ticket for ages 13-99 years old. Child Ticket for ages 0-12.
Is the tour wheelchair accessible?
Please call if you have a wheelchair so we can discuss the boarding options as we have had guests with wheelchairs enjoy this experience. We do have 5 steps in order to board the vessel. There is a single step in the deck. Please call Thank you!
Reviews(2,537)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
S
Had a great relaxing cruise despite of not seeing a sea life out there.
G
Beautiful trip and great crew!!
We weren’t fortunate enough to see whales on our tour; however the boat is beautiful and the crew provided us with great information on whales and history. They also will allow us to book another trip at no cost. They tried hard to find us some whales but sometimes nature doesn’t cooperate. Did see sea lions, herons, cormorants, other birds, lighthouses and naval vessels. Thanks to Captain Troy, Fathom, Matt and Adrianna!!! I will be back!
R
We didn't see any whales...
We didn't see any whales but still had a great time! It gets chilly, bring a jacket. Beer and wine available for purchase. Water, limited soda choices and small bag of assorted chips are provided. You can also bring your own snacks.
D
Decent ride
Good experience from the boat perspective disappointed in not seeing what we paid for but it was still something to experience being on that giant sail boat instead of the other boats we have taken before not sure if or when we will be back to Cali but if we do we would probably give it another shot
M
Whale watching
Very fun and a great day on the ocean. Captain is very knowledgeable and the sailboat was beautiful, and I would definitely go again.
E
An special adventure
A amazing day out on the water, in an amazing schooner and crew….just excellent from start to finish.
V
Great experience...
Great experience unfortunately we didn't see anything but the crew members were amazing. We were told that we would receive a free trip for not seeing anything so we are looking forward to that
J
We were lucky enough to...
We were lucky enough to see a stampede of dolphins on the way back, we also saw some sea lions, it was overall a great experience that I would definitely recommend.
K
The check in was easy to...
The check in was easy to find and well marked. The crew were all very friendly and helpful. Comfortable sail even with the slightly rough seas. We were able to see dolphins, a humpback whale, lots of sea lions and sea birds. Perfectly comfortable traveling as a single female
P
You won't regret going
This was a lovely way to see whales, dolphins, and sea lions. It was a highlight of our short visit to San Diego
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from$85
4.8(2,537) Free cancellation