San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
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
Additional Info
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!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
4.5-hr sailing cruise
Bring layers, blankets, and jackets. It can be cold on the water!
Free Parking. Check-in located next to parking lot.
1:15 PM trip: Check in between 12:30 - 12:45
No seasickness' guarantee: Lose your lunch, we get you a new one
If you arrive after check in ends, you will miss the boat.
2:00 PM Trip: Check in between 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Sodas and snacks
11:00 AM trip: Check-in starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 10:30 AM
Whale sighting guarantee: If you don't see a whale, you get to come back for free
9:00 AM trip: Check in between 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
What To Expect
We sail past North Island Naval Air Station, US Navy Base Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma Lighthouse to see sea lions, dolphins and whales.
Options
San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
Reviews
2,232 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic experience! We...
Tenikka P,
Oct 2, 2025
- Viator
5.00Fantastic experience! We didn’t see whales but now can go back for free to try again. However, even without seeing whales it was still the highlight of the trip & will definitely be something I do again if I’m in San Diego again.
Amazing time!
Amy B,
Oct 1, 2025
- Viator
5.00My family and I just went on a whale watching tour and had an amazing time! All of the staff was very friendly, accommodating, truly wanted their guests to have a fantastic time! They were great with my kids too! We saw a mega pod of over 2,000 dolphins and saw a few whales. The boat was so neat and was a smooth ride. It was such an awesome experience! I highly recommend this group to tour with!
Saw 4-5 whales, hundreds...
Rachel Z,
Sep 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00Saw 4-5 whales, hundreds of dolphins and sea lions. Dog friendly which was awesome! Highly recommend!
All the Guarantees Were Verified!
Jennifer P,
Sep 29, 2025
- Viator
5.00Great crew! Lovely sail. Cousin gets motion sickness and forgot her patch. Crew had a variety of options to assist her through it! Very attentive! Saw 4 humpback wales, numerous dolphins, sea lions, birds, fish, etc. A plethora of marine/ sea life…absolutely fabulous! Definitely recommend 😁
Don't miss out on this great experience! It's worth it!
Eileen H,
Sep 22, 2025
- Viator
5.00We would highly recommend the whale watching experience. From the beautiful ship, really nice weather and seas, to the great staff who were very knowledgeable about the marine life, to seeing a pod of over 13 orca whales ... the whole experience was what we'd hoped for. You won't be disappointed. And if you don't see whales, you get to come back for free! It's a win-win! :)
Related Experiences
Operated by San Diego Whale Watching & Charters - Next Level Sailing