easy
2–3 hours
Suitable for all fitness levels; mostly seated on the yacht with minimal walking required
Set sail from San Diego on the exclusive ODYSSEA yacht for a luxury whale watching experience like no other. Enjoy comfortable seating, expert commentary, and year-round sightings of whales and dolphins in Southern California’s Pacific waters.
Ages 13+ • 3-4 hours
Experience San Diego's premier luxury whale watching aboard the ODYSSEA, a semi-private yacht designed for comfort and style. Enjoy breathtaking views, expert marine insights, and delightful amenities like craft cocktails, snacks, and bean bag lounging. Witness majestic whales and playful dolphins year-round, making unforgettable memories on this unique adventure!
3-4 hours
Dive Into San Diego's Ultimate LUXURY Boutique Whale Watching Adventure! 🐋🌊
Hold onto your hats and get ready for the most thrilling marine escapade in San Diego—all in luxury! You will be sailing in style and comfort on the only semi-private whale watching yacht in SD. Welcome aboard the ODYSSEA, a 40-foot Mainship yacht featuring multiple decks for different vantage points, a full private bathroom, a complete kitchen and fridge, a cozy salon, surround sound music, bean bag chairs on the bow, a wet bar, and even an espresso machine! This is NOT your average whale watching experience. While those big boats cram in 100+ people and feel like a floating city, and the small boats leave you baking in the sun with no room to move, the ODYSSEA offers the perfect fusion of everything you need in a semi-private or private package. (reach out directly for custom private packages)
Whether this is your first ocean wildlife experience, you’re a seasoned sailor, a nature photographer, a budding marine biologist, or just an inquisitive nature lover, our whale watching tour is a true bucket list experience! In sunny San Diego whales and dolphins are always in season!
Join our friendly crew as they take you on a journey filled with magnificent whales and playful dolphins! Not only will you be treated to some jaw-dropping sights, but our on-board marine naturalist is like a walking encyclopedia — with a sense of humor! Get ready to be entertained with whale facts that are as fascinating as they are funny (Did you know a whale's heart can weigh as much as a car? Talk about having a big heart!).
What’s Included in Your Adventure:
Our Wildlife Guarantee: We promise to do our best to share the whales and dolphins, but hey, sometimes these majestic creatures just want to play hide and seek. If you don’t see a whale or dolphin on your trip, we’ll give you a free pass to come back and try again! It’s like a whale-watching do-over!
What’s Not Included:
Highlights You Won’t Want to Miss:
Whales All Year Round:
December through April: Witness the incredible 10,000-mile journey of the Pacific gray whale from Alaska to Mexico. These colossal beauties can reach lengths of 30 to 50 feet and weigh up to 40 tons! We’ve even spotted them just half a mile from our bay. Talk about close encounters!
May through November: Get ready for the grand entrance of the great blue whales and mighty fin whales! Blue whales, the largest creatures to ever roam the Earth, can stretch over 100 feet long and weigh up to 200 tons. Meanwhile, the fin whales zoom through the water at speeds of up to 23 mph — the “greyhounds of the sea!”
Throughout the Year: Expect to meet playful dolphin pods, including Short-beaked and Long-beaked Common dolphins, Pacific Bottlenose, Risso’s, and Pacific white-sided dolphins, all eager to perform acrobatics right next to your boat. Plus, keep an eye out for California sea lions, the elusive Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), and a colorful array of seabirds!
Book your spot today for a whale of a time! 🐬💙
The ODYSSEA ADVENTURES WILDLIFE Guarantee: We promise to do our best to show you whales, but hey, sometimes these majestic creatures just want to play hide and seek. If you don’t see a whale or dolphin on your trip, we’ll give you a free pass to come back and try again! It’s like a whale-watching do-over!
The ODYSSEA offers semi-private tours with limited capacity—reserve your spot well in advance, especially during peak whale migration from December to April.
Coastal San Diego mornings and late afternoons can be chilly on the water, so dress in layers to stay comfortable throughout the trip.
Protect both your skin and the marine environment by applying reef-safe sunscreen before boarding.
Enhance your wildlife viewing and photo opportunities with a pair of binoculars and a camera with zoom capabilities.
San Diego's whale watching tradition reflects decades of marine conservation efforts along California's coast.
The ODYSSEA employs eco-conscious practices to protect local marine habitats while educating guests on ocean stewardship.
To adapt to varying temperatures on the water throughout the day.
Protects your skin while preserving marine ecosystems.
summer specific
Helps spot distant whales and dolphins more clearly.
Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste on board.