San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Overview

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

City: San Diego

Wed 20 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $85.00

Make a reservation

Wed 20 Nov

Starting at $85.00

Make a reservation

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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

2:00 PM Trip: Check in between 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Sodas and snacks

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!
Face masks provided for travellers
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
We always follow California state protocols

What To Expect

Old Point Loma Lighthouse

We sail past North Island Naval Air Station, US Navy Base Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma Lighthouse

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (1000)

Lyn718f

Oct 2022

What a beautiful day on the America. This 139’ sailboat is beautiful and I love the story of this yacht being an exact replica of the original America’s Cup winning sailboat and the story of how The America’s Cup got its name. The weather was beautiful which was a bonus. We only saw one whale - a playful juvenile - but seeing hundreds of dolphins speeding by was thrilling. Just being out for a sail on a glorious day was enough - seeing any whales or dolphins was just a bonus!! Capacity of this boat is 77 and I’m guessing we were a bit under that yesterday (10-20-22) by a few. It was spacious and the fellow guests were cooperative when asked to sit on the floor so those behind us could see the whale/dolphins. (Great visibility when sitting and looking thru the wire rails). The guide was very knowledgeable about the history of the America, the area and the sea-life. Hearing about the Navy, military, submarines etc. was a nice bonus. At first I was afraid it would be 4 hours of listening to the guide, but once we were out beyond the marina and lighthouse it was more just about what other boats were reporting regarding whale and dolphin sightings. I’d highly recommend this activity vs. a motor boat I’d you’d like a relaxing, quiet, peaceful experience. (If you go and get there early, breakfast at the Best Western across from the meeting point was very good.) The crew works hard - even offering soft drinks, water, chips, granola bars, etc. as well as selling tee shirts and hats - so I’m sure gratuities are welcome. As we exited the America, one of the crew members had a mason jar for tips. It was good to see the jar filling up with $5, $10, $20s, but disappointing to see some folks walking by without recognizing the hard working crew. Just a personal thought for Next Level Sailing - sweatshirts I think would be a big seller!! Thank you for this experience. I cannot wait to do it again!!!

Response from Host

Nov 2022

Thanks so much for your thoughtful review, we really appreciate it! I am glad to hear you enjoyed the balance of information and quiet relaxation. Thank you for sharing your experience, it is very helpful. On behalf of the crew, we really appreciate your recognition. We do work very hard every trip to make sure everyone has a fantastic experience. I will certainly mention sweatshirts to my boss. Thanks again. We can't wait to have you aboard next time!

Andrea_M

Oct 2022

The guide was very knowledgeable and was able to tell us all about the sites we were seeing along the way. The captain really made sure we had a very memorable experience!

Response from Host

Nov 2022

Thank you for your review! I am glad to hear you had a great time on the water. Thank you!

172paigel

Oct 2022

This tour is amazing. The boat is very cool, and we saw a pod of 3 humpback whales surface several times. The owners and guide were great, super knowledgeable and excited about whales. We learned tons of facts about the San Diego area as well as the marine wild life. The other tours were either on tiny boats, or super crowded. This tour was comfortable and all around wonderful.

Response from Host

Nov 2022

Thank you! We really appreciate your great feedback. Thanks so much for sailing with us. We can't wait to see you next time you are in town.