San Diego Whale Sightings — Updated Daily!

See what our naturalists have spotted during our last 7 trips in Mission Bay and off the coast of San Diego.

7

Whales Spotted

2,060

Dolphins Spotted

6

Different Species Spotted

Google Reviews

4.8

4,300+ verified reviews

San Diego's Original

15+ Years
of whale watching expertise

Our Promise

Sightings Guarantee
or come back free

Year-Round Tours

Daily Departures
from Mission Bay

Today's Sightings Summary

Detailed Sightings Log - April 24, 2026

Tour	Species	Count	Location	Behavior
Private Charter	Short-beaked Common Dolphin	50		Surface ActiveHunting
Mid-day Tour	Long-beaked Common Dolphin	100		Surface ActiveHunting
Mid-day Tour	Short-beaked Common Dolphin	100		Surface Active
Sunset Tour	Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin	45		BreachingBow RidingJumpingPlayingSurface ActiveHunting

Recent Sightings

All

All
Gray Whale
Humpback Whale
Blue Whale
Fin Whale
Minke Whale
Orcas
Inshore Bottlenose Dolphin
Long-beaked Common Dolphin
Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin
Pacific White-Sided Dolphin
Risso's Dolphin
Short-beaked Common Dolphin
Dolphin
California Sea Lion
Harbor Seal
Mola mola (Sunfish)

Dolphins all day — and the ocean is changing in all the right ways.

April 24, 2026

Dolphins all day — and the ocean is changing in all the right ways. Common dolphins have…

Baby Dolphins for Days

April 22, 2026

Dolphins and seabirds are the stars of the show yet again! So many baby common dolphins out…

Dolphins All Around

April 21, 2026

We headed out into the Pacific and found dolphins everywhere we looked! Before we even made it…

Day of the Dolphins and a Mystery Mysticete

April 19, 2026

The morning whale watch left us mesmerized by dolphins a plenty! Both long and short beaked common…

Two Great Dolphin Watching Trips

April 18, 2026

For the morning trip, we cruised down to the SW and spotted a pod of ~150 Long-beaked…

Sunny Skies, Fin Whales, & Lots of Dolphins

April 17, 2026

We left Mission bay and cruised out to the SW toward the 9-mile bank! We noticed plenty…

Our Typical Route

While our route varies with sightings, we typically follow a similar course near known feeding areas.

A typical route that San Diego Whale Watch takes from Mission Bay into the Pacific Ocean to see gray whales

Follow Our Live Updates!
Get real-time sightings and videos

@sdwhalewatch
Instagram • Facebook • TikTok

This Year's Stats

Total: 21,762 dolphins and 322 whales.

Latest from Our Blog

Earth Month Spotlight: Sustainable Whale Watching in San Diego

Every time we head out on the water, it's about more than just spotting whales-it's about protecting the ocean they...

Humpback Whale Migration — Everything You Need to Know

Humpback whale migration is one of the most viewed and researched whale activities. They are the focus of whale-watching in...

Whale Sightings Today in San Diego Waters – Join the Adventure!

Whale Sightings Today in San Diego Waters! Unforgettable Encounters Await Calling all ocean adventurers! Are you yearning to witness the...

597596025_1327458969426552_3189728505746739614_n

San Diego Whale Watching Delivered Big in 2025

Celebrating 15 Years of Whale Watching in San Diego This year marked a major milestone for us: 15 years of...

Gray Whale Season Is Coming—Here’s What We Saw Last Year (and the Weird Sightings We Didn’t Expect)

Every winter, San Diego Whale Watch looks forward to welcoming one of the most iconic migrations on the planet: the...

An Unforgettable Adventure: Dolphin Tours San Diego

It would be a once-in-a-lifetime event during dolphin tours San Diego to see a group of dolphins swims across the...

what to expect during a whale watching cruise in San Diego.

What to Expect on a Whale-Watching Cruise in San Diego

A whale-watching cruise in San Diego offers a rare opportunity to witness some of nature's most awe-inspiring creatures in their...

Planning a Trip Using Recent Whale Sightings in San Diego

Whale watching is one of the most thrilling wildlife experiences available for nature enthusiasts, tourists, and wildlife photographers alike. However,...

whale watching season in San Diego, Common Dolphin Encounter

When is Whale Watching Season in San Diego? [Guide to Whale Watching]

When is Whale Watching Season in San Diego? San Diego is a VIP pass to the coolest marine wildlife party!...

Kayak goes on a clear lake with sunshine on the background of a

Exploring the Best Boat Rides in San Diego for Marine Life

Best Boat Rides in San Diego for Spotting Marine Life Known for its incredible coastline and diverse marine life, San...

Ready to Meet the Whales?

Book your tour today and experience San Diego’s most spectacular wildlife adventure.
Departing daily from Mission Bay.

Book Now — Reserve Your Spot

See Our Whale Watching Tours

Free Parking · Sightings Guarantee · Year-Round Tours