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)

Marlene_A

Oct 2020

This was an amazing experience! I highly recommend going aboard on this specific boat, a replica of The America 1851. It’s so beautiful and has a rich history. The crew were amazing, attentive, and friendly. The trip is COVID friendly. It is a long boat ride so be prepared with additional snacks/food. We were able to see dolphins but no whales. They were nice enough to allow us to come back again for free to watch the whales. Fathom was our guide and was very knowledgeable about the history of the area. She was so kind to share pictures and video that she took during the ride. Overall, I recommend this specific whale watching tour on this boat! You won’t regret it.

Response from Host

Oct 2020

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I am thrilled you had a fantastic time! We can't wait to have you again so we can find you some whales. Please feel free to email us [email protected] or call us 619-922-6215 in order to reschedule. Thank you!

SanDiego11

Sep 2020

The crew were amazing. The ship is beautiful and the huge pod of dolphins we saw was just incredible. No whales, but the no whale guarantee which allows me to come back makes up for it. Looking forward to making the trip again!

Response from Host

Sep 2020

Thank you so much for your review! We really appreciate it. We can't wait to have you again in the near future.

beny311

Sep 2020

We had a great time celebrating my wife's birthday on the San Diego Whale Watching Cruise! Though we didn't see any whales, Captain Troy guided us around hundreds of swimming and flipping dolphins for around 30 minutes. We had seats close to him and could hear him constantly on the radio trying to track down any whale sightings in the area. Regardless, you have beautiful views of the San Diego skyline and nearby Coronado islands. On a 75 degree day, we only needed light pullovers for maybe an hour of the entire 4-hour trip. The entire trip was exceptionally well-planned and organized from start to finish. Detailed directions to the marina were provided, which made it easy to find. The crew went above and beyond to comply with all COVID-19 required protocols: reduced capacity, required masks when moving around, and even desanitizing the restroom after each use. They handed out beverages and snacks immediately upon request, and you could also bring whatever refreshments you'd like. The only suggestion would be to play at least some light music during some of the cruising time. Fathom did an incredible job giving all the info on the environment and marine mammal behavior. It was easy to tell that the entire crew cared about their guests having the best time possible. Overall it was an outstanding experience, and we'd love to go again per the whale sighting guarantee next time we're in San Diego!

Response from Host

Sep 2020

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and feedback! We are so pleased to hear you had a wonderful time celebrating your wife's birthday. I really appreciate your feedback, we are so glad you were satisfied with the organization of the trip. I will gladly speak to upper management about your suggestion for music, that is such a great idea! Thanks again for sharing your wonderful review, we really appreciate it. We can't wait to have you out again. Please feel free to email us at [email protected] or give us a call 619-922-6215 to reschedule. Thank you so much!