California > San Diego > Water Activities Experiences

San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Name: San Diego Whale Watching Cruise
Brand: Virgin Experience Gifts
SKU: WAT-SDI-0031
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (5 reviews)

San Diego, CA

From: $50

Item #: WAT-SDI-0031

(5 Reviews)

Observing a Whale on Cruise in San Diego

Sea Lions on Buoy on San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Video

Take San Diego sightseeing to a new level aboard a scenic cruise featuring much, much more than the city's famed landmarks. The San Diego Whale Watching Cruise is your chance to embark on the H2O adventure of a lifetime!

The cruise company's 30+ years of experience makes this some of the best whale watching in San Diego
Gaze across pristine Pacific waters in search of wildlife like whales, dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals and sea birds
Enjoy fascinating narration from your Captain and a trained Natural History Museum naturalist, during the course of this 3.5-hour tour
Share the outing with family or friends, taking full advantage of the boat's many entertaining amenities!

From: $50

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Overview

The cruise company's 30+ years of experience makes this some of the best whale watching in San Diego
Gaze across pristine Pacific waters in search of wildlife like whales, dolphins, sea lions, harbor seals and sea birds
Enjoy fascinating narration from your Captain and a trained Natural History Museum naturalist, during the course of this 3.5-hour tour
Share the outing with family or friends, taking full advantage of the boat's many entertaining amenities!

Full Description

Expand your horizons and encounter marine wildlife in their natural habitat on the San Diego Whale Watching Cruise!

Mid-December through mid-April is whale migration season. Hop aboard a 3.5-hour scenic cruise from San Diego, to snag an up-close and personal view of some of the most magnificent creatures in the world!

Set sail on the open waters of the Big Bay with a cruise company that has over 30 years of boating experience. A trusted crew, experienced Captain, and knowledgeable naturalist from the San Diego Natural History Museum will provide guests with fun facts and fascinating information during your whale watching cruise, regarding the spectacular world of aquatic life that dwells both above and below the ocean's surface.

Watch sunlight sparkle and look for breaks in the waves, keeping your eyes fixed on the water for signs of wildlife on the move! The majestic sighting of a legendary gray whale will take your breath away! Did it breach or give the water a solid, fun slap with its tail? Snap a photo of this impressive creature, known for making a yearly migration that's the furthest of any mammal on the planet!

Regardless of its name, your winter San Diego Whale Watching Cruise may feature sightings of more than just whales! Marvel at a pod of dolphins as they jump out of the water, racing alongside the yacht. Float past a colony of vibrantly barking sea lions. And watch as sea birds boldly swoop and dive at the water. Nothing compares to seeing wildlife that is actually in the wild!

And the sights to savor just keep going and going! As an added bonus, you'll enjoy a unique perspective of the city's downtown area and most prized San Diego attractions. Relax as you sightsee aboard this scenic cruise, thanks to the boat's comfortable amenities. Take in the scenery from the vessel's impressive outdoor observation decks, surrounded by the scent of salty air. Or cozy up inside, where you can take advantage of climate-controlled seating areas, a full bar, hot food snacks, and even a souvenir shop.

No whales spotted, for as far as all eyes could see? If the San Diego Whale Watching Cruise does not come across any whales, your crew will issue all guests on board a "Whale Check" to return at a later date for free.

Location

San Diego, CA

Availability

When Do I Choose A Date?

If giving as a gift, your recipient can choose a date at their convenience; otherwise, you can choose one after checkout.

Mid-December through April:
Weekends - 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM

*Rates do not apply for specialty cruises and/or holidays

UPCOMING AVAILABLE DATES:

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Important Details

Essential Information

Coast Guard regulations require all participants over the age of 18 to have a valid photo ID to board
Participants under the age of 18 must have parent/guardian supervision
You may not bring food or drink on board
There are food and beverages available on board for purchase
Binoculars are available to rent on board for $5 (subject to change) and a $50 cash or credit card deposit is required to rent
If a whale is not sighted on your cruise, you will receive a pass good for another Whale Watching or Harbor Cruise

Duration

3.5 Hours

Experience Provider Info

Complete information for your Experience Provider, including contact information, will be included on your booking confirmation email once you or your gift recipient have scheduled the experience. Our Product Management team handpicks top-rated experience providers, removing the guesswork for you and ensuring your peace of mind.

Maximum Participants

The yacht can accommodate up to 500 guests.

Spectators

This experience is only for those on the cruise.

Weather Dependent

This cruise will run in light rain. Cancellations depend on wind, sea conditions, and precipitation; your experience provider will reach out the day of your cruise in the event of a cancellation. If you have any questions about weather conditions, please contact your experience provider. Cruises canceled due to weather conditions will be rescheduled for another date.

What To Wear

Please dress in warm layers as the temperature and winds are often unpredictable.

COVID-19 Safety

For this experience, our partners are taking extra measures to help prevent any potential spread of COVID-19. In those jurisdictions where it is required, guests will undergo temperature screening prior to boarding. Based on guidance from health authorities, anyone displaying a temperature of 100.4 F or above will not be allowed entry. If a guest has traveled internationally in the last 14 days, they will not be permitted to board. Additionally, all guests ages 3 and older are required to wear face coverings at all times while on board our partners vessels, except while dining (unless the local health authority has set forth an alternative age or other exemption). All guests should provide their own breathable mask and will be required to enter the vessel. These Covid-19 safety measures are subject to change.

FAQs

Will I get seasick?

The yacht has stabilizers that greatly reduce its motion. However, if you tend to have trouble with motion sickness, you may experience seasickness. Bio bands are sold both at the ticket booth and on board for $11. Medicine is not available for purchase.

What if I don't see any whales?

If you do not see any whales, you will be issued a "whale check" that is good for another whale watching cruise or 1-2 hour narrated bay cruise.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is not allowed on this cruise.

How far out will the boat cruise?

In the beginning of the season the ship cruises 3-5 miles from shore. Toward the end of the season the ship cruises up to 9-12 miles from the coast.

Returns, Exchanges & Cancellations

Returns
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be returned hassle-free within 30 days. All refunds will be made to the original purchaser.

Exchanges
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be exchanged for anything else in our marketplace at any time. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs more, you'll simply have to pay the difference. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs less, you'll have a credit towards your next booking with Virgin Experience Gifts.

Cancellation Policy

Once you have scheduled a date and received a booking confirmation, cancellations and rescheduling are allowed up to 72 hours prior to the Experience. Failure to appear on your booked date or to cancel and rescheduling at least 72 hours prior to your booked date will result in the loss of the value of your Experience.

Other San Diego Experiences

Customer Reviews

This experience has a customer rating of 4.5
based on 5 reviews.

View More Reviews:

We sighted 7-8 grey whales on a beautiful calm January morning. Even if we hadn’t -it was a beautiful view of the city and coast narrated by knowledgeable staff and augmented by assistance from the San Diego Natural History museum’s volunteer ‘Whalers’. A Great day! Highly recommend.

— Helene H | Jan 26, 2020

Response from Virgin Experience Gifts

Hi there Helene! We are thrilled that the San Diego Whale Watching Cruise was a splash hit! Sighting that many whales is truly magnificent! We are overjoyed to hear that the whales only added to an already beautiful day on the water. We can't wait to get you out on another wonderful experience! Best, Sophia

It was great! We didn't see any whales, but they gave us complimentary passes to come back!

— KatiLin S | Apr 02, 2019

Response from Virgin Experience Gifts

Hi KatiLin, I am so happy to hear about your great experience, although I am sorry that the whales weren't in sight that day. It's definitely an experience worth seeing, and we are thrilled that you will be able to come back and see them! We can't wait to hear about it. Cheers to next time, Kasia

The whale watching was awesome!! We saw, 2 HUGE pods of common dolphins and they came right up alongside of the boat. Then we saw a gray whale who we were also able to get very close to. Then, we finished off our adventure with a humpback sighting!! No breaching, but still so cool! Please know it's a good Idea to plan for being out to sea. We took motion sickness medicine and were fine, but man, there were a lot of sick people...

— Gina W | Mar 16, 2019

Response from Virgin Experience Gifts

Hi Gina, WOW! Sounds like an absolute DREAM! We totally agree with you - seasickness is no fun! What IS fun - dolphin and humpback sightings! Thank you so much for sharing. Cheers, Kasia

Really had a wonderful whale watching experience. Highly recommend it!!

— Tim H | Jan 28, 2017

Boat was a little crowded but the overall experience was good. Two in our party didn't realize it was going to be quite as rough out on the ocean, and they were somewhat seasick.

— Ernie M | Feb 22, 2016

San Diego Whale Watching Cruise