City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure
Overview
Enjoy the best sightseeing on the San Diego Bay—with a professionally narrated tour provided by The San Diego Natural History Museum of San Diego's whale-watching hot spots. Join us on the water as we search for Gray Whales (winter), Blue Whales (Summer), Minke Whales, Fin Whales, dolphins, sea lions, marine birds and much more!
As we cruise, we’ll see up-close views of the bay's wildlife as well as iconic landmarks from a new perspective. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture all the sights in photos and video.
If some type of whale is not sighted on your whale watching cruise, you will receive a pass good to return for a Whale Watching Cruise or Harbor Cruise from City Cruises San Diego.
NOTE: The whale watching vessel cruises in the open ocean. Our yacht is the most comfortable yacht in San Diego, due to stabilizers that greatly reduce the yacht's motion.
What's Included
- Expert narration by Captains and Volunteer Naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum
- All Fees and Taxes
- Spectacular views of the city skyline and local landmarks, including whales, dolphins and sea lions
- Three Hours (Dec-April) Four Hours (June-Sept) Whale Watching Cruise on the San Diego Bay
- Food and drinks (available to purchase onboard)
Meeting Location
970 North Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101, USA
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Whale and dolphin watching. As we cruise, we’ll see up-close views of the bay's wildlife as well as iconic landmarks from a new perspective. Onboard our staff will provide live narration and details about the aquatic life and landmarks we pass for a truly memorable experience. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to capture all the sights in photos and video.
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- There are Personal Floatation Devices on board for all guests, as per Coast Guard requirements. You do not need to wear life vest or the provided PFD's during the course of this cruise. However, if you would prefer to have children wear the PFD's during the course of the cruise, please advise so at the time of booking in the Special Requirements box.
- Please let us know if you require a wheelchair accessible cruise so that we can confirm that your requested cruise date has wheelchair accessible departures.
- Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes prior to departure.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (10)
Q: Do we get to swim with or touch the dolphins?
Cancellation Policy
Still have questions?
We're here to help.
Activity code: C-2540SANWHALE
Traveler Photos
Reviews
Average 4.47 out of 5 stars based on 127 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (10)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.
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As an active member of the Dolphin SMART program, we do not have physical contact with the dolphins on City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure. We watch them in their natural habitat from the boat.
Dec 2022If you have any doubts about becoming seasick on the water, we recommend taking a Dramamine® Motion Sickness Relief tablet the night before your trip. Some people recommend taking it the night before your cruise and then again that morning so you will not feel so drowsy.
Feb 2023- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (PST).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Expert narration by Captains and Volunteer Naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum.
- All Fees and Taxes.
- Spectacular views of the city skyline and local landmarks, including whales, dolphins and sea lions.
- Three Hours (Dec-April) Four Hours (June-Sept) Whale Watching Cruise on the San Diego Bay.
- Food and drinks (available to purchase onboard).
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 4..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure is as follows:
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for City Cruises San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Expert narration by Captains and Volunteer Naturalists from the San Diego Natural History Museum
- All Fees and Taxes
- Spectacular views of the city skyline and local landmarks, including whales, dolphins and sea lions
- Three Hours (Dec-April) Four Hours (June-Sept) Whale Watching Cruise on the San Diego Bay
- Food and drinks (available to purchase onboard)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Wheelchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- There are Personal Floatation Devices on board for all guests, as per Coast Guard requirements. You do not need to wear life vest or the provided PFD's during the course of this cruise. However, if you would prefer to have children wear the PFD's during the course of the cruise, please advise so at the time of booking in the Special Requirements box.
- Please let us know if you require a wheelchair accessible cruise so that we can confirm that your requested cruise date has wheelchair accessible departures.
- Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes prior to departure.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 300 travelers
