San Diego Whale Watching Tour

Overview

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.

City: San Diego

Mon 28 Apr

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $71.00

Make a reservation

Mon 28 Apr

Starting at $71.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Marine biologists are on the microphone explaining exactly what to expect.

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 poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

Ocean Beach

The tour will take you to the ocean without stopping

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (1000)

stephanie_b

Feb 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 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 When we inquired about more powerful binoculars, the staff admitted that all their equipment was outdated and hadn’t been replaced in a long time.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.

Response from Host

Feb 2025

Hector, thank you for joining us and for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry the trip didn’t meet your expectations. We understand how disappointing it can be to come out hoping to see whales up close and not have that opportunity. Our captains and crew are passionate about what they do and would never call out sightings that weren’t real. Whale spouts can sometimes be tricky to spot, but they do their best to point them out so guests have the best chance to see them. Regarding the binocular rentals, they are meant as an affordable option for guests who want a closer look. Our Naturalists advise guests at the start of the trip that if they receive a pair that appears to be damaged or unclear, they are welcome to bring them to the galley to swap them out. Since they are frequently used and sometimes accidentally dropped, we rely on guests to let us know if there’s an issue so we can provide a better pair. We also recognize that having a restroom closer to check-in would be more convenient. However, we do not own the building where our ticket booth is located, so we do our best to direct guests to the nearest available restrooms before departure. Onboard the boat, we provide two standard restrooms for guest use during the trip. We wish this experience had been different for you. If there’s anything else you’d like to discuss, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

EdwynJ_B

Feb 2025

We saw sea lions, dolphins and 3 whales. We were on our feet holding onto the railing for most of the trip after we were out in an area where other boats were gathered to see whales. We had to keep holding onto the railing as the waves were often strong. Almost impossible to take pictures because of having to hold onto the railing, It was a great day. Two our group have trouble with sea sickness so I took one Dramamine and my friend the regular dose of 2 tablets that we picked up at the check in or an adjacent shop. Worked well for both of us but after we got off the boat and had a meal, two of us crashed and slept for a few hours due to the Dramamine and salt water air.