Tours/San Diego/Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist
Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist
5.0(63)San Diego1h 30min
VIATOR4.9(16)TRIPADVISOR5.0(47)
+14 photos
At a glance
Duration
1h 30min
Price from
$65 / person
Rating
5.0 / 5 · 63 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 5
Cancellation
Free cancellation
Meeting point
The meeting location is Mission Point Park - 2600 Bayside Lane. I will be set up near the restrooms next to the parking lot at the park! You will receive communication no later than the day before with more thorough instructions.
Family-friendly experience where you can both see and learn about life in our bays and oceans from a marine biologist with over 20 years of combined science, education, and museum experience.
Explore San Diego's hidden gem of snorkeling! Everyone who visits San Diego knows about La Jolla, but did you know there's an even better snorkeling spot? Avoid the big waves and crowds with this more relaxed snorkel experience geared for all skill levels.
Groups are small (maximum of 5 participants, with exceptions for private groups/families) which makes a more intimate and personal experience.
**Important: After booking you will receive a welcome message with important details. Be sure to have notifications and/or emails from your booking platform turned on!**
Tour Options
Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist
Highlights
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Digital photo album
What's included
Included
Use of Snorkelling equipment
Digital photo album
Not included
Wetsuits are NOT provided and must be rented separately (~$17 for a rental)
Gratuities
Traveller Ratings
5.0
63 reviews
5
62
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
Important Information
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Not recommended for children under 10 years old
Frequently asked questions
How long does Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist take?
Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist lasts about 1h 30min.
How much does Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist cost?
Prices start at $65 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.
Can I cancel Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist 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 The meeting location is Mission Point Park - 2600 Bayside Lane. I will be set up near the restrooms next to the parking lot at the park! You will receive communication no later than the day before with more thorough instructions.. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Snorkel San Diego's Mission Bay with a Marine Biologist 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 5 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
Not recommended for children under 10 years old
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(63)
4
443camil
August 31, 2026
Best Choice for First Time Snorkeling
Matt is awesome, super friendly, and definitely a 5 stars host. He texted us about where we should park and if the parking lot was full ahead of time. He made me and my hubby want to go snorkeling more and it was our first time snorkeling ever. He was so patient and nice and well prepared for us. I will definitely recommend Matt to my other friends!
FYI, If you rent a wetsuit at Rays Rental at 9 (because that’s when they are opened), you will definitely have plenty of time to meet Matt at 9:30!
Operator response
Thank you so much! Happy you found my communication helpful, and stoked you enjoyed the snorkel itself!
J
Jessica_G
August 25, 2026
Worth it
Wonderful snorkeling experience! Got to see a lot of different varieties of marine life. Both by my own discovery and pointed out by Matt. Had no problems with directions, they were clear. Matt makes the experience fun and engaging. Definitely recommend for all ages and snorkeling experience levels. We had people that had never done it before and advanced divers and everyone had a great time!
Operator response
Jessica, thanks for the review! Happy you found the pre-trip directions helpful, and the tour worthwhile for all guests with varied skill-sets. See you next time!
P
Patrick_S
August 19, 2026
Great Snorkeling Experience!!
It was great! Only complaint was the water was a bit cold but more than manageable. Matt is a very great knowledge guide!!! Really knows his marine life.
Operator response
Thank you for the review Patrick! I agree, the water is usually chilly most of the year so the wetsuits are a big help!
V
ValerieR1825
July 26, 2026
Excellent experience
This was our second time with Matt. We did his tide pool tour last year and snorkel tour yesterday. He is the best. He is so knowledgeable, kind and friendly. His prices are so reasonable. I can’t imagine coming to San Diego in the future and not doing one of his tours.
Operator response
Valerie thank you so much for the kind review! It was great hosting you and your family again, and it was awesome exploring the bay with you all. See you next time!
R
rosevV4432QJ
July 26, 2026
Snorkeling
Was super fun activity! Matt was wonderful and informative.
Operator response
Thank you Rose! Hope to host you the next time you're in San Diego!
B
Buffalojelly
June 15, 2026
Learned a lot!
This was a nice little activity! Matt was super informative and it was just long enough to see cool critters without spending too much time in the water and getting too cold. The wetsuits from House of Scuba were worth renting (although my zipper had a little issue) and kept me warm enough.
Operator response
Thank you for the review! I'm glad you felt the tour's timing was appropriate and the thick wetsuit rental worthwhile!
F
Francine2020
April 10, 2026
Great Experience
Matt is very knowledgeable and found things we would not have seen otherwise. He is very patient and a great teacher. It was a great experience for my family and he made sure everyone was comfortable in the water. My husband, who isn't a confident swimmer, said it was the best part of our trip.
Operator response
Thank you so much! Stoked that everyone was able to build up their confidence in the water during our experience1
A
Angela_D
March 28, 2026
Must do San Diego experience!
Great time exploring underwater Mission Bay! We saw lots of creatures and Matt made the experience fun and engaging as well as pointing out sea life not to be missed. He provided great info about gear rental and made the experience great as soon as we booked. Would highly recommend doing by yourself or with family/friends.
Operator response
Thanks so much Angela! Glad to see the pre-trip information was helpful!
H
Heather_S
December 29, 2025
Very family friendly and...
Very family friendly and comfortable for all levels of knowledge and experience. Great explanations and individual attention.
Operator response
Thank you for the kind review Heather! It was great hosting the three of you for an awesome snorkel!
A
audreygC9388QF
December 1, 2025
Amazing Experience!
Great experience! Me and my party were in the water for one hour and saw sea slugs, sea urchins, starfish, and lots of different fish! Matt would calmy guide us through how to swim with our flippers and use our snorkels. This is a fantastic snorkel experience for beginners like me. I really enjoyed learning about the Mission Bay ecosystem through our guides' expertise; he's a great teacher. The water was exceptionally clear and the current was smooth. We went at the end of November and with a wetsuit on, it was totally worth it!
Operator response
Audrey thanks so much! It was awesome hosting you and your family on your first snorkel. See you next time!
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