Explore San Diego’s Living Maritime History
Board historic ships, narrated bay cruises, hands-on sails, and family overnights at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Featured Tours & Experiences
Narrated bay cruises, tall ship adventures, pirate theatrics, scout programs, and VIP private tours on San Diego Bay.
About the Maritime Museum of San Diego
Maritime Museum of San Diego preserves and presents the maritime heritage of San Diego through a collection of historic vessels, hands-on experiences, and public programs. Located on San Diego Bay, the museum maintains and operates a fleet that includes the 1863 bark Star of India, the Pilot (launched 1914, restored 2002), replicas such as the brigantine Californian, and the Spanish galleon replica San Salvador. Visitors can explore dockside exhibits, board multiple historic ships, and choose guided docent tours, narrated bay cruises, multi-hour sailing adventures, interactive pirate theater, and overnight stays aboard the Star of India.
Educational offerings include Oceanography Merit Badge Days for scouts ages 9–18, hands-on sailing experiences, and VIP private tours that provide behind-the-scenes access. Public cruises vary in length from a 45-minute narrated bay cruise aboard the Pilot to four-hour sails on San Salvador, and specialty programs such as the 90-minute BOARDED! pirate adventure and family overnight events. Guided docent-led tours are offered twice a month with limited capacity for intimate exploration. General admission provides all-day access and the opportunity to see historic vessels up close, and the museum operates daily.
The museum’s conservation and restoration efforts follow established preservation standards, and volunteer stewards regularly maintain vessels to ensure historical integrity and visitor safety during tours and events year-round operations.
Plan a Historic Maritime Experience on San Diego Bay
Reserve narrated cruises, hands-on tall ship sails, scout programs, or a VIP behind-the-scenes tour at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.