R
Awesome Trip!
This trip was amazing! The entire crew was friendly, energetic, and knowledgeable. We saw 4 different whales as well as some seals.
San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise
+5 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 2–3 hours
- Price from
- $71 / person
- Location
- San Diego, United States
- Rating
- 4.6 / 5 · 1,764 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 100
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- San Diego Whale Watching LLC
- Meeting 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/1P1Qt8Uea5m8ZpM56
Description
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 10 times a day, 9:00 AM–5:30 PM
- Next available
- Tue, Oct 13
- Adult (ages 18–64)
- $71
- Senior (ages 65+)
- $61
- Child (ages 3–17)
- $61
- Infant (ages 0–2)
- Free
Out at sunset: the 4:45 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 6:05 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 249 of the next 300 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 12.
Tour Options
Itinerary
South Mission Beach Park
South Mission Bay Park sits at the southern tip of the Mission Beach peninsula in San Diego, right where the ocean meets the bay channel. The Ocean Front Walk begins at the South Mission Bay and runs north/up the peninsula for biking, jogging, or strolling. Fire pits make this a nice spot for an evening bonfire by the beach.
Ocean Beach
After setting sail from Mission Bay, you'll head towards the open Pacific Ocean. In just 10 minutes, you'll pass through the jetties and enjoy a scenic view of Ocean Beach's famous Dog Beach and the iconic Ocean Beach Pier before venturing into the vast blue waters.
Mission Beach Boardwalk
Set sail from Mission Bay and slip past the Mission Beach Boardwalk—surfers, skaters, and the Belmont Park coaster off the beam—before we head into the open Pacific to find whales.
Belmont Park
Palm-lined promenade, volleyball courts, and the Belmont Park coaster in view
Sunset Cliffs Natural Park
Enjoy a pass-by view of Sunset Cliffs—golden sandstone bluffs, sea caves, and surfers below.
What's included
Included
Expert guides identify wildlife and landmarks in real time over the microphone.
Free Parking on Quivira Road
Restroom on board
Galley with Food & Drink options for purchase
Not included
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
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.6
1,764 reviews
How it compares in San Diego
- No. 7 by number of reviews among 515 tours in San Diego
- Starting price $71 is 10% below the typical $79 for tours of similar length in San Diego
Excurgo comparison of 515 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
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- 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
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 & Dolphin Cruise take?
San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise lasts about 2–3 hours. The itinerary has 5 stops.
How much does San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise cost?
Prices start at $71 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 & Dolphin Cruise run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 10 departures a day between 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM.
How much does San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise cost for children?
Children aged 3–17 pay from $61, adults from $71. Infants go free.
Does San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise sell out?
It can: 249 of the next 300 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin 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 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. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin 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 100 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(1,764)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
M
Great Fun Experience
It was a nice experience. It was my kids first time on a boat. All staff was informative and nice. I would definitely recommend to others
J
We saw 4 blue whales...
We saw 4 blue whales which normally we would’ve never seen, but due to weather and El Niño, I guess they wanted to come say hi. The crew did an amazing job getting us all good views of the whales.
E
Memorable family trip!
We saw a whale right from the start! We also saw several types of whales. There were plenty of dolphins swimming around as well. The highlight was seeing the tail in the air! I wasn’t able to catch the photo but the photographer on the boat did! We were a family of four with two boys ages 3 and 5 who all had a blast.
C
At the end, two whales!
It is worth it to pay $10 each extra at the ticket booth to have priority boarding. We saw a lot of flying fish, a shark, sea lions and finally a humpback whale as we were returning to the dock. It stayed surfaced and gave a nice show. There was a smaller whale identified afterwards by staff, but not visible to most on the boat. Even if a whale wasn't found, it would have been a nice 3 hours at sea.
Operator response
Thank you, Cynthia! We love that you enjoyed every moment!. We hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
S
Got some great pictures...
Got some great pictures of two humpback whales. Great crew!!! For those prone to motion sickness be prepared. I was fine but several people were seasick
T
Whale time
The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. Also, very attentive to any needs that may arise. We did see very close up a whale for quite a while, no dolphins 😞
J
This was such an amazing...
This was such an amazing and special experience! No whales or dolphins because we got nothing but Killer Whales! We were told how rare it is especially with it being our first time doing something like this. The crew was exceptional. Full of knowledge and very accommodating, it made this experience truly magical!
S
5* whale and sea life watching!
Fantastic experience all around! Great naturalist Colleen and crew, all passionate, friendly and helpful. Boat is great, plenty of options for where to view from. We saw a good abundance of sealife- many birds (including a boobie!), sea lions, over 200 gorgeous dolphins, a juvenile humpback who paid us several visits, and even some mobulae way off in the distance. Get out there! Great company to go with.
Operator response
Thank you so much! We're so glad you had an amazing experience! We will be sure to pass your kind words along to Colleen and the whole crew. We hope to welcome you back on board again soon!
J
If the tour guide says to...
If the tour guide says to take motion sickness meds DO IT!!!! No whales seen, but did have a huge pod of dolphins around the boat and 2 hammerhead sharks.
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| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise | 2–3 hours | 4.6 (1,764) | $71 | |
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 San Diego: 3 Hour Whale Watch Cruise with Legacy Whale Watch | 3 hours | 4.5 (404) | $34 | View |
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 Catamaran Sailing Cruise on San Diego Bay for up to 6 Guests | 2 hours | 4.7 (7) | $800 | View |
 San Diego Whale/Dolphin Watching Cruise Aboard Luxury Vessel | 3h 30min | 4.8 (336) | $76 | View |
from$71
4.6(1,764) Free cancellation