The 10 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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 716 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Drive a mini speed boat on San Diego Harbor, guided by radio narration. See USS Midway, Coronado Bridge, and more in about 2 hours.

“This experience was wonderful! My boyfriend and I highly enjoyed the guided tour. We loved the beautiful scenery and learning more about San Diego’s history. Additionally, Jeremy was a fantastic tour guide, he was informative and humorous. I would 100% recommend to everyone!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Sunset Sail Along the San Diego Skyline

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 603 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109

2-hour San Diego Bay sunset sail in a small yacht group of six, with beanbags, skyline photos, and passes near USS Midway.

“Beautiful night on the water!! Boat was clean, captain was friendly. Gorgeous harbor & beautiful sunset..”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 592 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $127

A 3-hour small-group sunset sail from Shelter Island with skyline, Point Loma lighthouses, USS Midway, Coronado, snacks, and drinks.

“Great day on the San Diego harbour with a knowledgeable and friendly captain. There are so many things to see from the Navy Base to the City and to the Dolphins and Sea Lions. We had perfect weather for our three hours.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $116

Spend 3 hours sailing San Diego Harbor on a Catalina-style boat for up to six, with snacks, beer, jackets, and your own music.

“Amazing sailing trip with Captain Kinley! We could not have been happier with our experience. We sailed out in the beautiful sailboat past the lighthouse at point Loma. We saw dolphins and sea lions and even followed them as they sailed along!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.San Diego Bay Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 397 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Ride a 1400-horsepower jet boat on San Diego Bay for about 30 minutes, with Coronado Bridge and USS Midway views.

“It was fun, professional and friendly. Felt safe but got to experience a bare knuckle ride. An got incredibly wet. Remember to bring a change of clothing”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 395 reviews · 30 min · from $45

A 30-minute open-air jet boat thrill ride on San Diego Bay with 360 spins, 50 mph speed, and major waterfront sights.

“We had so much fun on the jet boat and it was a great view of the San Diego bay. It is sure to get your adrenaline going. We had a great time.”

Check availability →Read our full review