San Diego
I sorted San Diego’s whale watching trips by season and boat size. Gray whales pass December through April and blue whales feed offshore in summer, so the calendar barely closes. Most operators let you ride again free if nothing surfaces.
Experience the thrill of spotting majestic whales up close on our San Diego Whale Watching Cruise. Don't miss this unforgettable adventure on the open seas!
Most Popular★ 5.0“Fun day - lots of sightings. We quickly saw a grey whale and her baby among hundreds of dolphins. The crew went out of their way to make sure everyone had a great time and was well cared for. We will definitely go out with…”
★★★★★★★★★★
2,317 reviews4 hours (approx.)From $85.00by San Diego Whale Watching & Charters - Next Level Sailing
Experience the thrill of spotting majestic whales up close on our San Diego Whale Watching Tour. Join us for an unforgettable adventure on the open sea!
★ 4.5“Amazing! I thoroughly enjoyed our whale watching trip. The boat and the crew/naturalist made this fun as well as educational. Whales, dolphins, sea lions, blue water, sunshine and a nice boat ride … what’s not to love? This was the best of our many experiences…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1,588 reviews2 to 3 hours (approx.)From $71.00by San Diego Whale Watching LLC
Sail into the unknown on a San Diego whale-watching tour, where secrets of the deep sea await discovery.
★ 4.1“WE WERE REALLY LUCKY. WE FOUND A POD OF DOLPHINS AND THEY HUNG WITH US ALONG THE BOAT FOR 30 MINUTES. THAT MADE THE DAY. OUR GUIDE SAID THERE WERE PROBABLY OVER 500 IN THE POD.”
★★★★★★★★★★
315 reviews3.5 hoursFrom $54by Flagship Cruises and Events.
Experience the magic of dolphins and whales at sunset. Join us on a breathtaking cruise and witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat. Book your adventure now!
★ 4.5“It was amazing! Breathless sunset and many dolphins, pelicans and whales swimming near the boat! We really enjoyed it!”
★★★★★★★★★★
249 reviewsFrom $71.00by San Diego Whale Watching LLC
Set sail on San Diego's Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise, where the ocean's secrets await - are you ready to dive into this unforgettable marine journey?
★ 4.3“only got to see one whale in the distance but it was not for lack of trying on the staff's part. Service is good. I recommend motion sickness medicine as many other participants got sea sick. We saw lots of dolphins and a few sea…”
★★★★★★★★★★
186 reviewsFrom $77by City Cruises California
Yearning for a close encounter with the majestic wonders of the sea? Embark on the San Diego Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure for an unforgettable marine experience.
“All the whales!!! Wonderful experience!!! The guides were knowledgeable and friendly. Loved it and would recommend to all.”
★★★★★★★★★★
143 reviews4 hours (approx.)From $56.92by City Cruises California
Witness the majestic marine life of San Diego's waters with expert-led whale and dolphin watching tours, offering unobstructed views and a personalized adventure.
★ 5.0“What a great 3 hours, guided by Alissa, we saw a couple of humpbacks, sea lions, pelicans, sand pipers and '000's of common dolphins up close”
★★★★★★★★★★
129 reviews3 hours (approx.)From $149.00by Offshore Blue Adventures Whale & Dolphin Tours
Mesmerize your senses as you embark on a captivating journey along the San Diego coastline, witnessing the majestic creatures that call these waters home.
★ 4.5“To see whales, dolphins and Sealions in their own habitat was amazing. 4 humpbacks 2 fin whales and 600+ dolphins and numerous Sealions”
★★★★★★★★★★
83 reviewsFrom $70by San Diego Whale Watch
No one could have anticipated the breathtaking surprise that awaited those who embarked on the 3-hour guided whale and dolphin watching experience in San Diego.
★ 4.5“Great tour. Didn’t see whales, but a bunch of dolphins and sea lions. Captain was awesome, went with my 11 year old son.”
★★★★★★★★★★
39 reviews3 hours (approx.)From $149.00by Adventure Whale Watching
Journey into the eerie Whaley House at night, where the echoes of history beckon and phantoms lurk in the shadows...
★ 4.2“The staff there was very nice and were very knowledgeable. They nailed the tour for us”
★★★★★★★★★★
33 reviewsFrom $14by Historic Tours of America** - San Diego
Join the Haunted Whaley House Guided Night Tour for spine-tingling tales and historical insights that will leave you questioning what really lurks in the shadows.
★ 4.5“We really enjoyed the tour, we had Archer for our guide, he was funny and very informative, definitely recommend this tour!”
★★★★★★★★★★
25 reviews30 minutes (approx.)From $19.00by Historic Tours Of America
Mysteries await as visitors embark on a self-guided day tour through the haunted halls of the Whaley House Museum in San Diego.
★ 4.0“Shep was GREAT! So informative and made our experience so much better knowing the fascinating history.”
★★★★★★★★★★
14 reviews30 minutes (approx.)From $15.00by Historic Tours Of America
Take an exhilarating voyage across the Pacific and witness the majestic whales and playful dolphins of San Diego on a thrilling speedboat tour.
“Spend the money for the smaller tour. Boat is much faster and can cover much more ground and the crew is amazing!”
★★★★★★★★★★
13 reviews3 hoursFrom $188by Netzero Expeditions
Discover the details of the Up Close Whale & Dolphin Adventure in San Diego, including what to expect, pros and cons, and authentic traveler insights.
“They cancelled our cruise because they didn't have enough people, but never told us, (until we showed up at the dock and they weren't there). Refund is supposed to be automatic, but haven't scene it yet. Guess I will have to initiate a dispute with…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1 reviewsFrom $147.00by Tailwalker Sportfishing / Whale & Dolphin Adventures
Experience up-close whale and dolphin sightings in San Diego aboard a private luxury boat, blending scenic views with personalized marine adventures.
From $1,850.00by Bluebill Charters
Seventy miles of coast, one walkable bay, and whales offshore most of the year; San Diego keeps me outside.