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San Diego Whale Watch: Premier Boat Tour Adventure - San Diego

San Diego Whale Watch: Premier Boat Tour Adventure

San Diegoeasy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

2–3 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for all fitness levels with mostly sitting and light walking on deck

Overview

Join San Diego Whale Watch for a private boat tour to see magnificent gray, blue, and fin whales along with playful dolphins. Learn from expert marine biologists while enjoying breathtaking ocean views on this unforgettable adventure.

San Diego, California

Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour

Most Popular! • 2.5-3 Hours • Daytime & Sunset Cruises

Boat Tour
Whale Watch

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Adventure Photos

Whale Watch & Dolphin Tour photo 1

About This Adventure

Experience the thrill of San Diego's premier whale watching tour! Encounter majestic gray, blue, and fin whales during their migrations, along with playful dolphins and sea lions. Enjoy an educational journey with marine biologists sharing fascinating facts, ensuring an unforgettable adventure on the open ocean, all year round.

San Diego's #1 Whale Watch!


Rates

  • Adults (Ages 18+): $65
  • Juniors (Ages 3-17): $59
  • Infants (Ages 0-2) must have their own ticket (complimentary) & be booked with an adult
  • Seniors (Ages 62+): $59
  • Military Members (Active Military with ID): $59

Specials

  • Tuesday & Thursdays Special: All Tickets ~ $56

Duration

2.5-3 Hours


About

Get ready for the best whale watching in San Diego!

Whether you are from Los Angeles, or anywhere else in Southern California (or even USA!), it’s definitely worth the drive for this whale watching tour that never goes out of season! Not only will our friendly crew provide you with sightings of beautiful whales & dolphins, but you’ll also get an educational experience where you can learn about these animals that visit the ocean near San Diego harbor.

Our on-staff marine biologists will, of course, have a bunch of cool whale facts to tell you on your cruise, but if waiting to learn isn’t your style, take a look at our educational links.


Our Whale Guarantee

We’d love to be able to show you real whales on every trip but sometimes these big beautiful animals just don’t want to be seen. So our promise to you is this, if you don’t see a whale or dolphin then you’ll receive a free pass to join us again for another whale watching trip.


Whales All Year

December through April You can observe part of the amazing 10,000 mile annual migration of the Pacific gray whale from Alaska to Mexico. At 30 to 50 feet in length and weighing up to 40 tons, these whales leave their summer feeding grounds in the Bering Sea and make the trek south to the isolated lagoons of Baja to give birth to their calves. We’re fortunate enough to see both south and north bound migration all the way through April. We’ve even had sightings as close as 1/2 mile from our bay!

May through November Means the migration of the great blue whales and mighty fin whales. The blue whale is the largest animal to ever exist on the earth!! They can range in length from 90 feet to over 100 feet and weigh up to 200 tons! The fin, or finback whale is second only to the blue whale in size and weight. Among the fastest of the great whales, it is capable of bursts of speed of up to 23 mph (37 km/hr) leading to its description as the “greyhound of the sea”. Minke, humpback, and sperm whales are also possible sightings. All of these amazing whales are generally found 5 to 9 miles off shore feeding on our local banks.

Throughout the year Various types of playful dolphins (Short-beaked and Long-beaked Common, Pacific Bottlenose, Rissos, and Pacific white-sided) are encountered on most trips with some pods numbering into the thousands! These dolphins will regularly seek out the boat on their own to greet you and to show their amazing acrobatic abilities. California sea lions, Ocean Sunfish (Mola mola), and a wide variety of sea birds also await you on every trip!


What to Bring

  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Layers of clothing
  • Camera

Adventure Tips

Wear Layered Clothing

The ocean breeze can be cool even in summer, so bring layers to stay comfortable.

Bring Binoculars

Binoculars help you spot whales and other marine life from a distance.

Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Protect your skin without harming marine ecosystems by using environmentally friendly sunscreen.

Stay Hydrated

Bring water onboard to stay hydrated throughout the trip.

Local Insights

Wildlife

  • Dolphins
  • California sea lions

History

San Diego’s harbor has been a key port since the early 1800s and remains critical for marine commerce and exploration.

Conservation

San Diego Whale Watch supports local marine conservation efforts by practicing responsible viewing and educating passengers about ocean protection.

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Adventure Hotspots in San Diego

Frequently Asked Questions

Recommended Gear

Layered Clothing

Essential

To adapt to changing temperatures and ocean breeze during the trip.

Binoculars

To spot distant whales and marine life more clearly.

Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Essential

To protect skin while preserving the surrounding marine environment.

summer specific

Water Bottle

Essential

To stay hydrated during the time on the boat.