The 4 Best Boat Trips in San Diego

1.San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,317 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85Our pick

Sail on the historic America replica for gray whales and dolphins off San Diego. Includes snacks, a rebook guarantee, and stays smooth.

“I took my daughter and three of her friends for her 16th birthday the 2nd of January. We had an amazing whale watching experience! The crew was fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. The boat was very nice and comfortable, and it never felt overly crowded, which made the experience even better. We were lucky enough to see two gray whales—a mom and her baby—migrating together, which was absolutely incredible. The crew shared so much informative and interesting information about the whales and other marine life throughout the trip. The complimentary snacks and sodas were a really nice bonus, and when one of the kids started feeling…”

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2.San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,588 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

Whale and dolphin cruise from Mission Bay with naturalists, big ocean views, and restroom onboard. 2 to 3 hours, $71.

“The boat 🛥️ is great; not a ‘bad seat’ in the “house”. The crew is exceptional….especially the captain (who has an eye for spotting whales) and the naturalist who offered whale 🐳 info in an engaging, interesting way. This was a spectacular experience.”

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3.Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,378 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $37Best value

A narrated luxury yacht cruise of San Diego Bay, including views under the Coronado Bridge, naval ships, and sea lions.

“We had a great time! Very interesting and therapeutic!”

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4.San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,234 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

San Diego Harbor dinner cruise on the Spirit of San Diego with gourmet dinner, welcome drink, views of Coronado and downtown, plus optional open bar.

“Beautiful cruise on a wonderful ship. The food was excellent. And the service was great. Cesar, our waiter, did a superb job. The views from the ship were really memorable.”

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