Set sail from scenic Mission Bay and encounter some of the ocean’s most awe-inspiring creatures on a 2–3 hour whale-watching adventure in San Diego. Time can vary based on the season and locations of sightings. In just 10 minutes, you’ll leave the bay behind and be out in the open Pacific, scanning for whales, dolphins, and other fascinating marine life. Led by an expert guide and naturalist alongside a skilled captain, every moment is an opportunity for an extraordinary encounter.

Itinerary

Start Point

Ticket booth / Check-in: Look for a grey shed with a blue awning facing the…

Stop 1

South Mission Bay Park sits at the southern tip of the Mission Beach peninsula in…

Stop 2

After setting sail from Mission Bay, you'll head towards the open Pacific Ocean. In just…

Stop 3

Set sail from Mission Bay and slip past the Mission Beach Boardwalk—surfers, skaters, and the…

Stop 4

Palm-lined promenade, volleyball courts, and the Belmont Park coaster in view

Stop 5

Enjoy a pass-by view of Sunset Cliffs—golden sandstone bluffs, sea caves, and surfers below.

End Point

Ticket booth / Check-in: Look for a grey shed with a blue awning facing the…

What’s included

Expert guides identify wildlife and landmarks in real time over the microphone.
Free Parking on Quivira Road
Restroom on board
Galley with Food & Drink options for purchase

Not Included

Alcoholic Beverages – Available for purchase after 3 miles
Soda/pop/snacks – available for purchase
Optional Gratuities
Parking Fees – Free Parking on Quivira Road only
Priority Boarding available upgrade for $10.00 a person
Binocular Rentals available for $6.00 a pair

Additional Information

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 spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Please arrive 30-45 minutes prior to your departure time
Children ages 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Dress code is smart casual. The ocean is between 10°-15° cooler than the bay

Cancellation Policy

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

Cancellation Window	Refund Eligibility
24 hours or more before start time	100% refund (Full refund)
Less than 24 hours before start time	Non-refundable (0%)

This experience may be cancelled due to bad weather. This experience may be cancelled if there are not enough travelers.

Important Information

During the summer months, holidays and weekends there is a lot of traffic in Mission Bay so please plan to arrive early to find a parking spot.

Please follow the timeline below to ensure a smooth and on-time departure:

45 minutes before departure – Check-In Opens
Arrive and proceed to the Ticketbooth to check in and receive your physical boarding pass.
We’ll confirm that you’ve completed the electronic waiver. A link was sent via messaging. We can also send it to you in a text message if you let us know in advance.

20–30 minutes before departure – Priority Boarding Begins
One of our crew members will make an announcement for priority boarding, and those who upgraded to priority boarding may begin boarding.
You can still upgrade to this at any time. Just let us know in advance.
You must still check in at the Ticketbooth to receive your boarding pass.

10–15 minutes before departure – General Boarding Begins
General ticket holders will begin boarding.
Be sure to check in at the Ticketbooth beforehand and have your boarding pass ready.

5 minutes before departure – Check-In Closes
We cannot hold the boat for tardy parties, however, we can rebook to a later time or date if applicable. A $2.50 rebooking fee per person applies.

Age Policy

Infant: 0–2 years · Child: 3–17 years · Adult: 18–64 years · Senior: 65–99 years

Specification: San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

Ticket Type	Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Languages	English
Group Size	Up to 100 travelers
Confirmation	Instant Confirmation
Time of Day	Day Cruises
Experience Mood	Adventure Tours, Private and Luxury