San Diego’s #1 Whale Watch Experience
Frequently Asked Questions About Whale Watching in San Diego
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What is the minimum age requirement for people to go whale watching?
- There is no age requirement to participate in our whale watching tours. Just keep in mind you will be out at sea for 2-3 hours
- Please ensure that each guest has a ticket, regardless of age. 0-2 years old are free with the purchase of a full priced adult ticket, however they still need their own ticket. You can click this age group option when booking with us directly
I have a child under 2 years old, do they need a ticket?
- We are a Coast Guard inspected vessel, which means, all passengers must be accounted for on the manifest and require a ticket
- Ages 0-2 years old are free with the purchase of a full priced adult ticket, however they still need their own ticket. You can click this age group option when booking with us directly
- There is no age requirement to participate in our whale watching tours. Just keep in mind you will be out at sea for 2-3 hours
I did not receive a confirmation email. Am I confirmed?
- Whether you booked directly or if you booked through a third party, you should have received a confirmation, however, we can look this up for you! Please email us at [email protected] with your First and Last name on the reservation, booking date and time
- You can also call us at (619) 542-9931 and we can help you over the phone. If we don’t answer, just leave a voicemail and someone will call you back. All calls and emails are answered no later than 24 hours, but often before that
Is your boat handicap accessible?
- We do not have a ramp to board or depart the boat
- All guests including those with disabilities or use a wheelchair must be able to transfer into and out of the boat by themselves or with the assistance of a member in their party
Are wheelchairs allowed on board?
- Yes, we can accommodate manual wheelchairs, however, you must be able to get up and down a few steps. We do not have a ramp to board or depart the boat
- Due to the weight of an electric wheelchair, we cannot have one on board
- All guests including those with disabilities or use a wheelchair must be able to transfer into and out of the boat by themselves or with the assistance of a member in their party
Do you allow alcohol on board?
- Guests are not allowed to bring their own alcohol on board. We do have alcoholic drinks available for purchase in the galley after the 3 miles mark
Do you offer group discounts?
- We do offer discounts for groups of 10 people or more. You can pick this option when booking online. This discount is automatically applied once you have selected at least 10 tickets or more when you click on the Groups Over 10 • Special Rate option
- Feel free to email us at [email protected] if you have any questions
Your schedule doesn’t extend far enough
- Our schedule is posted a few months in advance. As soon as the schedule is posted you will be able to book in advance
Where do I park?
- 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
- There are three parking options for San Diego Whale Watch:
- Free street parking on Quivira Road (we recommend you park on the street)
- $10 paid parking in Sportsman's Seafood lot (paid for at our ticket booth)
- Paid parking in Hyatt Mission Bay lot (we will provide a parking validation at the ticketbooth should you choose this option which will take care of some of the cost)
- Any other parking lots in the area are private and have towing signs and restrictions
- We also recommend using an app-based car service such as Uber or Lyft
My voucher that I purchased has expired. Do I need to purchase a new one?
- We can often still book expired vouchers! Please send us an email at [email protected] with a screenshot of the voucher with the date and time you want to go whale watching. You can view our current trip schedule and availability on our website
Your website isn’t allowing me to book. Can I still make a reservation?
- When the tickets are sold out, we have reached our capacity for the boat and no one can purchase tickets online or at the ticketbooth
- Due to Coast Guard regulations, we cannot go over capacity, regardless of age (this includes infants)
Can I change the date or time on my reservation?
- Yes you can change the date or time of your reservation with no fees anytime before the 24 hours of your trip
- If you want to change your reservation and it’s within the 24 hours of your trip there is a rebooking fee of $2.50/person
- If you purchased Trip Protection when you made your reservation, there is no rebooking fee of any changes at anytime
- To rebook your reservation email us your booking number directly at [email protected] along with your desired date and time you want to rebook
What time should I arrive at the boat?
- You must first check-in at the Ticketbooth to receive your boarding pass and then you will be directed to the boarding line
- Check-in timeline is as follows:
- 45 minutes before departure – Check-In Opens
- 20–30 minutes before departure – Priority Boarding Begins
- 10–15 minutes before departure – General Boarding Begins
- 5 minutes before departure – Check-In Closes
I’m running late and have been calling. Can you hold the boat?
- We’re often unable to answer the phone while assisting guests during check-in
- For the most immediate response, please email us directly at [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as the boat has safely departed — usually 10-15 minutes after departure
- You may also leave us a voicemail. We respond to all voicemails and emails within 24 hours, but often before that
- We cannot hold the boat for tardy parties, however, we can rebook you to a later time or date if applicable
- A $2.50 rebooking fee per person applies if you did not pay for Trip Protection
What should I wear?
- The temperature on the ocean can be 10–15°F cooler than it is at Mission Bay, even during summer. Please dress in layers and feel free to bring a blanket or jacket. We strongly recommend wearing non-slip or secure footwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses
What you CAN bring?
- You’re welcome to bring food and personal items—just no glass containers or alcohol. We sell drinks and light snacks on board as well. Please keep all belongings with you during the trip. We do not have storage lockers and cannot hold luggage or large bags at the Ticketbooth
What NOT to bring?
- Please do not bring glass containers, alcohol, cigarettes or vaporizers, or drones
- We have alcohol available for purchase after 3 miles out
- Our boats are non smoking vessels
- This includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapes, pipes, and any other smoking devices
- Drones are not permitted at this time
- There are many general rules and regulations regarding drones, in addition to the guidelines under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
- Drone operators must be licensed by the FAA and must adhere to no-fly zone limitations covering a vast majority of San Diego
How do I redeem my 50% off Pass or Re Ride voucher?
- If your 50% off Pass or Re Ride voucher has a code on it, you will enter that code under each ticket type when making a reservation through our website online. After you pick how many Adults, Juniors, or Seniors are going, scroll down and on each ticket type you’ll see an area that says Add promo or discount code in blue. Click on that and you’ll be able to enter your code!
- If you have an orange or blue pass, or a pass without a code on it, you’ll need to email us directly at [email protected] and we can make that reservation for you on our end
What happens if I get seasick?
- If seasickness sets in, you might feel a bit off—nauseous, dizzy, or perspiring—but the silver lining is that your body usually adjusts quickly. Simple remedies—like fresh air, sipping water, or spotting the horizon—can help you bounce back even faster
- Please do NOT use the bathrooms. If we hit a swell and you hit your head on the toilet or sink, our crew will have difficulties being able to get you to administer first aid. Our crew is here to help, so if you aren’t feeling 100%, let us know. We will do everything we can to make your trip as enjoyable as possible! All crew members are first aid and CPR certified
-How to Feel Better Faster
-Here are some uplifting and effective strategies to ease those uneasy moments:
- Step into fresh air & focus on the horizon: Head to the deck and fix your gaze on the steady horizon—this visual anchor helps your brain reconcile the motion you feel and what your eyes see
- Snack smart & stay hydrated: Keep nausea at bay with light, bland snacks like crackers or plain toast, and sip water. Ginger in the form of tea, ale, or candies is a time-honored remedy for queasiness
- Ride the boat’s sweet spot: Stay towards the middle, lower deck—this area experiences the least sway and feels more stable
- Try gentle, drug-free aids: Acupressure wristbands or ginger candies are non-invasive and many find they genuinely help
- Distract yourself with calm: Engage your mind—chat with a friend, listen to music, or soak in the surroundings—to shift focus away from discomfort
-Why These Work
- They reconcile conflicting sensory input (what your inner ear and eyes perceive), reducing confusion and nausea
- They’re accessible and low-pressure—no prescriptions needed, and they suit all comfort levels
- They help you stay present and confident, which in itself aids recovery
Can I bring my pet onboard?
- While we’re unable to accommodate pets on our tours, we gladly welcome service animals. Please ensure your service animal is properly identified with ADA documentation or visible tags
What kind of whales will I see?
- We’re lucky enough to see whales year round in San Diego! December-April is Grey Whale and Pacific white-sided dolphin season, May-September is Blue whale season, and Spring and Fall are humpback whale season! We also can see Minke whales, fin whales, and humpbacks throughout the year
- Some more rare sightings we see sometimes are bryde’s whales and Risso’s dolphins
- We also have unexpected visitors pass through sometimes, so every trip is a chance to see something new
Does your crew accept gratuities?
- While there’s never any obligation to tip, gratuities are always appreciated by our crew
Are guests allowed to play their own music during the trip?
- For the comfort and enjoyment of everyone on board, guests are not permitted to play their own music during the trip
I didn’t see any whales, do I get a refund?
- We do not offer refunds if you do not see a whale or a dolphin
- We try our hardest to find whales and dolphins on every trip. If we don’t see either baleen whales or toothed whales (such as dolphins), you’ll receive a free return pass for a future whale watch. While we can’t promise sightings every time, we promise another chance if dolphins or whales don’t cooperate
What Guests Are Saying
500+ Five-Star Reviews
Located in San Diego’s Mission Bay, we’re closer to the ocean than other whale
watching companies, which means you spend more time searching for whales and dolphins!
EXCELLENT
Based on 4316 reviews
Posted on Google
Angelica RangelThis experience was great! Positive and knowledgeable crew, amazing views, drinks and snacks on board, etc. the only thing I would say is that if you are prone to sea sickness like I was, to take motion sickness pills beforehand! I don’t want my personal experience to take away or limit how amazing this little excursion was, however, I got very sick on board alongside others so be aware. Other than that, great experience.Posted on Google
Debbie RobertsThis trip was amazing. The crew was super friendly and very knowledgeable! The views were stunning. We were able to see a large fin whale, some dolphins, and the sea lions!Posted on Google
Tracie ShellhartThis was amazing. We saw dolphins and a humpback whale. The boat is very comfortable, and the crew is the best. Sara was wonderful and very informative.Posted on Google
Aleisha PetriSuch an amazing experience! Allison was a fantastic narrator and the whole crew was very attentive. We were fortunate to get to see a humpback whale plus a great pod of dolphins on our trip. The sunset cruise was the way to go for sure!!Posted on Google
Sean SheldrakeWe've been on other whale watching excursions out of Dana Point and Newport, but San Diego Whale Watchers is the by far the best. The crew is amazing and engaging. We have never struck out. Great tour!Posted on Google
Sonja BjorkmanWhile visiting San Diego for my birthday, my friend and I went on the sunset cruise. We could not have had a better experience. Allison’s narration was so insightful making the trip top tier. Captain Austin and crew were also excellent by being helpful in answering any questions. Will be talking about trip and recommending your company. Thank you for a great trip!Posted on Google
Jayme KretchmerI love it! The speaker was sooo knowledgeable and she was great at spotting the whale and dolphins and everything we got to see… I also enjoyed her calming tone and demeanorPosted on Google
Adrian (Jigsaw)Staff was the bestVerified by TrustindexTrustindex verified badge is the Universal Symbol of Trust. Only the greatest companies can get the verified badge who has a review score above 4.5, based on customer reviews over the past 12 months. Read more
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