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.

23

Whales Spotted

2,229

Dolphins Spotted

6

Different Species Spotted

Google Reviews

4.8

4,300+ verified reviews

San Diego's Original-icon

San Diego's Original

15+ Years
of whale watching expertise

Sightings Guarantee-seal-icon

Our Promise

Sightings Guarantee
or come back free

Sightings Guarantee-icon

Year-Round Tours

Daily Departures
from Mission Bay

Today's Sightings Summary

Detailed Sightings Log - October 3, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Morning TourPacific White-Sided Dolphin100PlayingSurfingMugging
Morning TourLong-beaked Common Dolphin12PlayingSurfingMugging

Detailed Sightings Log - October 2, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Sunset TourPacific White-Sided Dolphin5Playing
Sunset TourShort- Finned Pilot Whales100ForagingBreathingSurface ActiveMegapodDivingJuvenileCow/Calf Pair

Detailed Sightings Log - October 2, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Morning TourHumpback Whale2BreathingJuvenileKelpingSpy hopSurface ActiveTail Slapping

Detailed Sightings Log - October 1, 2026

Tour Species Count Behavior
Mid-day TourHumpback Whale2BreathingSurface ActiveDivingTail SlappingMigrating

Recent Sightings

All
  • All

Our Favourite Dolphins showed up!

The crew and passengers alike were very happy to get off the dock and get some cool…

Read More

What. A. Day! We hung out with a friendly Humpback and happy Common dolphins!

  We left Mission bay and cruised out to the north and hung out in La Jolla!…

Read More

Snoozy Sunday

Our early Sunday excursion started with the densest fog! Reminiscent of June gloom. But there was a…

Read More

Definitely a delphini-dae!

Two dolphin‑heavy trips this afternoon — and the ocean delivered. We pushed off into what felt like…

Read More

Jumping Into the Weekend with 1000 Dolphins!

Privateer had foggy conditions leaving the harbor this morning! But we didn’t let the Fogust (foggy August)…

Read More

Risso Rizz

A killer sunset and some SUPER playful Risso’s dolphins showing off their bellies and those cute suit‑and‑bow‑tie…

Read More

Our Typical Route

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

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

@sdwhalewatch
Instagram • Facebook • TikTok

This Year's Stats

Total: 20,952 dolphins and 320 whales.

Latest from Our Blog

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