Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
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
What To Expect
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.
Options
Whale Watching Tour
What‘s 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
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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
1,687 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
I completely recommend this company.
R3602KQcynthias,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great time!! All woman crew and they were all great. The speaker system was great and the naturalist had a great voice and gave us lots of info on whales and dolphins and pointed out everything she could. One humpback put on a great show. Lots of breaching!! We are visiting San Diego but I recommend this to anyone that wants a great whale and dolphin ride.
June SD trip
Road63996076963,Jun 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00First and foremost, what made this boat tour so special was seeing the fin whale and her calf! So exciting. The dolphins were also amazing. Secondly, I was so impressed with the crew. Everyone was so helpful and friendly. At one point one of the crew took my grandson to a better vantage point to see the whale! Highly recommend this tour company for any visitors to San Diego.
Do it
Curtis H,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was pretty cool. I’ve never been in the ocean and felt totally safe. The crew was friendly and knowledgeable. Definitely wear a coat and cover your ears. The whales totally cooperated. I would definitely do it again.
An experience of a lifetime!!
elleandress,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Flew to San Diego and was most excited about this activity for the trip. It did not disappoint! We saw HUNDREDS of dolphins surrounding the boat, we saw 6 different whales that kept surfacing and showing their tales and breathing and feeding, and finally we saw a whale breach! I will never forget it.
Great crew, service, and sighting!
Elizabeth M,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a fabulous time. We saw dolfins, seabirds, and sealions. The crew was phenomenal. Colleen (nature guide) was fun, engagin, and informative. The ride was smooth (for the ocean) and brought us to great spots for spotting wildlife (Thanks Captain Mike). The support crew was great, Taylor, Joe, and Max provided quick, efficient service. And Joe helped one of our friends when she felt seasick. Overall, this was a great experience with a great crew.
All of the crew was...
William K,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00All of the crew was amazing. Rough water and obvious the pilot knew exactly how to navigate. The naturalist was so good at explaining everything, making the time not only fun but informative. The crew was very attentive to the needs of each person. Would highly recommend!!!
Best Boat trip in San Diego!
Rebecca T,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I will honestly say this was one of the best boat rides I have ever experienced in my life!!!! If I could rate it 1000/10 I would! Sarah on the boat was going around asking how we were doing and it was truly genuine and she was making sure everyone was happy taking pics for us and getting to know us. She was truly remarkable. Everyone else on the boat was extremely helpful and just truly happy to be there. You can tell they enjoy what they do every day. The WHALES WE GOT TO SEE WAS OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! AND THE DOLPHINS!!! Everything was just amazing! Thank you all for everything worth EVERY PENNY!!!
Great Chance to See Whales
tameemh2026,May 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience. We wound up seeing a blue whale, a couple of humpbacks and too many dolphins and sea birds to count. Highly recommended.
An Absolute Nightmare – Avoid This Outfit!
Robert A,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00An Absolute Nightmare – Avoid This Outfit! After paying $600 for my family, we were packed onto a boat with about 50 other people and shipped out into massive ocean swells. The captain ran the boat at … More Nathan Barnes Local Guide·58 reviews·145 photos 4 months ago Had a great day planned but a fog bank rolled in and sent us packing early - but we do get to see some dolphins. On the bright side the waters were calm, saw some sun, fog, and felt like a pirate movie. The staff were amazing and even gave … More Sea lions on a mooring buoy Video 2 in review by Nathan Barnes Tour boat safety equipment Ocean sunset with fog layer+3 San Diego Whale Watch (Owner) 4 months ago Thank you, Nathan! We're glad you had a memorable day despite the fog and that you got to see some dolphins. It’s wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the calm waters and the pirate movie vibe. We appreciate your kind words about our staff and look forward to welcoming you back! Kendra Pippin Local Guide·23 reviews·6 photos 4 months ago My husband and I booked this tour with San Diego Whale Watch with no prior experience in San Diego. We are Florida natives and it exceeded all expectations. The boat was large, clean, and comfortable, with plenty of great food and drink … More Photo 1 in review by Kendra Pippin Photo 2 in review by Kendra Pippin Photo 3 in review by Kendra Pippin Photo 4 in review by Kendra Pippin ❤️2 San Diego Whale Watch (Owner) 4 months ago Kendra, thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're so glad to hear that you and your husband enjoyed the tour and were able to see so much wildlife. It's great to know that the boat and amenities exceeded your expectations. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable moments! Enzo Sullivan Local Guide·37 reviews·9 photos 3 months ago We had a wonderful sunny Sunday afternoon experience. Got to see a whale, some seals and dolphins. The crew was fantastic! The information given about the sea life was very informative! The boat is clean and kept up very nice. The website … More Photo 1 in review by Enzo Sullivan Photo 2 in review by Enzo Sullivan Photo 3 in review by Enzo Sullivan San Diego Whale Watch (Owner) 3 months ago Thank you, Enzo! We're so glad to hear you had a wonderful experience on your sunny Sunday afternoon. It's great that you got to see such amazing sea life and that our crew provided you with informative insights. We appreciate your kind words about the cleanliness of the boat and the ease of our website. Your feedback means a lot to us! Bob A Local Guide·57 reviews·4 photos 10 hours ago New An Absolute Nightmare – Avoid This Outfit! After paying $600 for my family, we were packed onto a boat with about 50 other people and shipped out into massive ocean swells. The captain ran the boat at full throttle, causing us to relentlessly smash and roll into the waves. It was terrifying and miserable, to say the least. Meanwhile, a calm voice repeatedly came over the loudspeaker asking us to look for whales—yet not a single whale or dolphin was in sight. With their daily operation and supposed expertise, this company absolutely knew the rough seas would keep the wildlife away, but they ran the trip anyway just to keep our money. Instead of a wildlife tour, we got a 3.5-hour ride from hell. People were vomiting all over the place. In our section alone, we counted at least 15 kids, teens, and adults in severe distress. The crew was expertly passing out plastic barf bags, so they clearly knew what to expect. When they finally let us off, they handed out pre-printed raincheck cards. They do this knowing most passengers are tourists from out of state who will never be able to use them. It's a calculated scam. Save your money and your stomach—BEWARE!
The journey was much...
Mariyah N,May 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
1.00The journey was much longer than expected. I normally don’t get seasick, but this boat made me extremely nauseous, and a lot of other people around us were getting sick as well. Seating was also very limited, and priority boarding didn’t really feel worth it since people moved around throughout the trip and seats were constantly being taken. Seeing the dolphins was definitely a highlight, but about an hour in, most people seemed ready for the ride to be over — and there were still two more hours left.
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Operated by San Diego Whale Watching LLC