Whale Boats, Yachts, Sails, Charters
Every San Diego Whale Boat and Luxury Sail, Compared
All 23 trips on this site: seven San Diego whale boats, ten private yachts and sails on San Diego Bay, and six whale trips elsewhere in California, from Dana Point to San Francisco.
Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching With Underwater Viewing
Captain Dave's catamaran from Dana Point Harbor, with two underwater viewing pods and nets just above the water: whales year-round, dolphins, sea lions and seabirds, with a marine naturalist narrating.
Long Beach: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
Harbor Breeze's whale-watching catamaran from Long Beach, past the Queen Mary and the San Pedro breakwater, with Aquarium of the Pacific educators on board: whales, dolphins, seals and seabirds.
Monterey: Private Whale Watching and Sailing Tour for 6
A private morning sail for up to six from Old Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey with Sail Monterey: whales, dolphins, sea lions and sea otters are likely but not guaranteed, with drinks and snacks on board.
Morro Bay: Whale Watching with Lost Isle Adventures
Lost Isle Adventures from Morro Bay Harbor past Morro Rock into Estero Bay: humpbacks from late spring to fall, gray whales in winter and spring, sea otters, dolphins and sea lions, with a heated cabin.
Newport Beach: Ultimate Whale Watching Adventure
Newport Landing Cruises' custom RIB for up to 15 from Newport Beach, an open boat that runs up to 14 miles out in two hours looking for whales and dolphins. There is no bathroom on board.
San Diego Bay: 2.5 hour Catamaran Sailing Cruise with Drinks
Fun Cat Sailing Adventures' catamaran from Harbor Island, across from the airport, for up to six: lie on the bow nets, sip beer or wine, and look for sea lions, seabirds and naval traffic on San Diego Bay.
San Diego Bay: Sunset and Daytime Sailing Experience
A sailing yacht from Sunroad Resort Marina on Harbor Island along the downtown skyline, by day or at sunset, with white wine and soft drinks; sea lions are often seen and dolphins now and then.
San Diego Sunset Cruise on a Classic Wooden Yacht
A sunset cruise on Carolina, a 28-foot Koehlerkraft, from Shelter Island for up to six, with a charcuterie board, cold drinks and your own bottles on the sundecks as the light drops over Point Loma.
San Diego: 3 Hour Whale Watch Cruise with Legacy Whale Watch
The 80-foot Legacy from Mission Bay toward La Jolla Canyon, with San Diego Natural History Museum naturalists: gray whales from mid-December to March, sometimes into April, blue whales in summer, dolphins and sea lions.
San Diego: City Cruises Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise
City Cruises' big boat from downtown San Diego, with volunteer naturalists from the Natural History Museum: gray whales in winter and spring, blue whales in summer, dolphins, sea lions and seabirds. Next departures from mid-December 2026.
San Diego: Classic Yacht Sailing Experience
Sail Liberty's Liberty, a replica of a 1904 Friendship sloop, from Harbor Island past the USS Midway, the Coronado Bridge and Point Loma, with beer, white wine and snacks; sea lions and dolphins possible.
San Diego: Luxury Year-round Whale Watching & Dolphin Tour
Wild Pacific Whale Watch's 82-foot Peregrine from H&M Landing in Point Loma: an air-conditioned cabin and stabilizers, then whales by season, dolphins, sea lions and seabirds with marine-biologist narration.
San Diego: Private Morning Sail up to 12 guests
Sea Monkey Adventures' private morning sail for up to 12 across calm San Diego Bay to the seals at Point Loma, with warm blankets, juice, sparkling water, cookies and chips on board.
San Diego: Private Sunset Sailing Tour for up to 12 Guests
Sea Monkey Adventures' private sunset sail for up to 12 between downtown San Diego and Coronado, watching the sun go down over the bay from cushioned decks, with blankets, juice and sparkling water.
San Diego: Private Yacht Charter with Champagne Toast
A private charter for up to six on Cerulean, a 45-foot yacht, along San Diego's bay and shoreline, with a champagne, wine or beer toast, optional swim stops and two bathrooms with showers. Not a whale trip.
San Diego: Relax on a Morning, Day or Sunset Luxury Sail
A 40-foot sailing yacht from Sail San Diego past the Midway, Coronado and the Point Loma lighthouse, sometimes out to the Pacific, with beer, seltzers and snacks; seals, dolphins and, by season, maybe whales.
San Diego: Shared Yacht Charter with Coastal Views
A shared charter for up to six on a Cerulean Sea Charters yacht along the San Diego coast: a bottle of wine or champagne, bring your own food, swim stops as an add-on. Not a whale-watching trip.
San Diego: Sunset Sailing Tour with Wildlife Watching
A sunset sail on Luna, a 35-foot sailboat, from Harbor Island for up to six: help sail or sit back among tall ships and military vessels, watching for dolphins, sea lions, pelicans and maybe a whale.
San Diego: Whale & Dolphin Watching Cruise on Yacht America
Four hours from Shelter Island on America, an about 140-foot schooner yacht: low decks, snacks and soft drinks, and gray, humpback, fin or blue whales by season, with dolphins and sea lions.
San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Speedboat Tour
A six-passenger Zodiac speedboat from the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay marina with a Coast Guard captain: gray whales in winter and spring, blue whales in summer, humpbacks in fall, dolphins all year.
San Diego: Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise
San Diego Whale Watch's family-run cruise from Quivira Road in Mission Bay, about 10 minutes from the open Pacific: whales by season, dolphins, sea lions and seabirds, with a galley and bar on board.
San Diego: Whale Watching Tour - Flagship Cruises & Events
Flagship Cruises and Events' two-story boat from downtown San Diego Bay, with an upper sundeck and free Wi-Fi: gray whales on their migration, dolphins and sea lions, with commentary by ocean experts. Next departures from mid-December 2026.
San Francisco: Whales of the Bay Cruise
Red and White Fleet's hybrid electric boat from Fisherman's Wharf toward the Golden Gate Bridge, with naturalist narration: gray, humpback and blue whales, dolphins, harbor porpoises, seals and sea lions.
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