Google Reviews
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
Best Whale Watching in San Diego!
When you book a trip with us, prepare for the best whale watching in San Diego!
Trip Highlights
- Dive into a 2 – 3-hour whale-watching cruise.
- Enjoy live commentary from our certified marine naturalists.
- Experience a tour filled with whales, dolphins, sea lions, and birds.
- Choose from cozy indoor or refreshing outdoor seating.
- Snack bar and beverages available to keep you fueled.
This whale watching tour that never goes out of season! Our on-staff naturalists have endless wildlife facts to share with passengers of all ages. We share a love for educating adults and children about the beautiful marine ecosystem San Diego has to offer.
*We strongly recommend, and encourage, wearing non-slip/secure footwear for the cruises.
Tour Tickets
Monday – Thursday
$56
Adults
$51
Military, Senior Citizens & Kids (0-17)
Friday – Sunday
$65
Adults
$59
Military, Senior Citizens & Kids (0-17)
Discount Tickets:
Military 50% off Monday - Thursday.
Kids 50% off on Wednesdays!
Whale Watching Booking Calendar
*Trip times are subject to change. Please check your ticket for your departure time.
Terms & Conditions
Please check our schedule for accurate trip times. Approximate length of cruise: 2-3 hours depending on trip type. Check in 45 minutes prior to departure. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to departure. We recommend treating an offshore outing no differently than a plane flight.
Please note:
All cruises must meet a minimum passenger requirement to operate. You will be notified if your trip cannot run and we will re-schedule you for another excursion at your convenience.
Our Whale Guarantee
We were the first company in San Diego to offer whale watching year around and we stand behind our promise… if you don’t see a whale or dolphin YOUR NEXT TRIP IS FREE!
Free Parking · Sightings Guarantee · Year-Round Tours
Whale Watching Season In San Diego
December through April
Join us as we observe part of the longest migration of any mammal on earth! Reaching up to 45 ft. in length and weighing up to 40 tons, Gray Whales depart from their summer feeding grounds in Alaska and migrate south along the west coast to the isolated lagoons of Baja California, Mexico to mate and give birth. We are lucky enough to see both the south and northbound migraters up until the end of April. Although we are just one passing point along their route, Gray Whales travel up to 12,000 miles, roundtrip, on an annual basis! Because they hug the coast during their migration, we can spot these gentle giants within only a few miles from the coast!
May through November
San Diego is equipped with a cold-water up-welling system that brings especially nutrient-rich water up to the surface, drawing in hungry Blue Whales and Fin Whales. Although the production of food could attract them to our coast at any time, recent years have shown a spike in Blue whale and Fin whale encounters throughout the summer and fall. Blue Whales are the largest animals to have ever existed on the planet and we are lucky enough to see the healthiest population around the world. Only 1% of the human population will ever be able to say that they’ve seen a Blue Whale. That means that we can drastically increase your chances of becoming part of that small percent! Runner-up in size and well-known for being the fastest of the baleen whales is the mighty Fin Whale! They can also be spotted at any time, feeding along our deep-water banks.
Throughout the year
Fin Whales, Humpback Whales and Minke Whale can be spotted off the coast of San Diego at any time. Although this makes them a little less predictable, it also means that we have a chance of seeing them on every trip! Various types of toothed whales (includes all dolphin species) also visit our coast throughout the year. Common Dolphins (both Short-Beaked and Long-Beaked), Pacific Bottlenose Dolphins and Risso’s Dolphins can be seen year-round. Pacific White-Sided Dolphins are a seasonal visitor that we get to observe during the winter, typically between the months of December-April. In addition to cetaceans, California Sea Lions, Sharks, Bony Fishes and a wide variety of sea birds will also be pointed out for your enjoyment!
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!
Ready to Meet the Whales?
Book your tour today and experience San Diego’s most spectacular wildlife adventure.
Departing daily from Mission Bay.
Free Parking · Sightings Guarantee · Year-Round Tours