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Our trips depart from Mission Bay, which requires only a short 10 minute journey access to the open ocean where whales and dolphins can be seen! The search for whales and other animals begins as soon as you depart the dock and our marine biologists are on the microphone explaining exactly what to expect and what you are seeing from the get go!
Typically our trips are 2.5-3 hours in length, but time can vary based on seasons and locations of sightings.
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 poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Marine biologists are on the microphone explaining exactly what to expect.
Operated by San Diego Whale Watching LLC
1,286 reviews
Emily E,
Mar 8, 2025
Your was rescheduled due to weather but team made every effort to find us another tour. Super friendly crew! Vanessa was our biologist and she was super knowledgeable. Really great experience!
Adam J,
Feb 28, 2025
Such a great time! Managed to catch a glimpse of a whale and so many dolphin pods and sea lions. Crew was great, boat was comfortable, and the guide was very knowledgable.
Erik N,
Feb 26, 2025
It was a pleasant surprise to see so many whale sightings in February. The weather was nice, the boat was great and the staff were even better. I’d definitely go again.
stephanie b,
Feb 23, 2025
This was a great day!! They were very friendly. We left on time and arrived back on time. The biologist was very knowledgeable and was pleasant.
Hector G,
Feb 16, 2025
Disappointing Experience – No Wildlife & Poor Service Unfortunately, our whale-watching experience did not live up to expectations. Despite the captain repeatedly announcing whale spouts, no one on the boat actually saw anything. It felt like they were trying to convince us that there was wildlife when, in reality, there wasn’t. One of the biggest disappointments was the binocular rentals. The ones we received were old and weak, making it difficult to see anything clearly. We had to ask for replacements multiple times because of spots in the lenses, but each new pair was just as bad. When we inquired about more powerful binoculars, the staff admitted that all their equipment was outdated and hadn’t been replaced in a long time. Customer service was another issue. The check-in staff member was rude and unhelpful. When we asked for a restroom, we were directed to one that was four buildings away or to a hotel lobby at quite a distance. Given that this is a tour catering to visitors, having a nearby restroom option would have been much more accommodating. The only wildlife we saw on the entire trip was a single dolphin on the way back, which swam by quickly. While we understand that wildlife sightings can’t be guaranteed, the lack of whales combined with the poor service, outdated equipment, and misleading announcements made for a frustrating experience. If you're looking for a good whale-watching tour, I would recommend researching companies with better equipment, more transparent expectations, and better customer service. I wish we had chosen a different tour, and I hope this review helps others make a more informed decision.
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