San Diego Whale Watching: Year-Round Marine Adventure

Experience year-round whale spotting on our San Diego whale watching cruise. Join us aboard the Yacht America for a thrilling adventure with experienced guides and the chance to see gray whales, blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales, dolphins, sea lions, and naval activity.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Next Level Sailing - We sail past North Island Naval Air Station, US Navy Base Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, Point Loma Lighthouse to see many dolphins and whales.
What's Included
  • 4.5-hr sailing cruise
  • Free Parking with convenient check-in
  • Complimentary snacks and sodas onboard
  • Guarantee against seasickness
  • Whale sighting guarantee or sail again for free
  • Bring layers for warmth
  • Multiple trip times with specific check-in windows
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
Additional Information

In San Diego, whale watching is a year-round activity! Our expert team at Next Level Sailing guarantees a premier experience, with such skilled guides that we achieved a 100 percent success rate in detecting the King of the Deep during the winter season.
Recognized as one of the top outdoor experiences in San Diego, the period for watching gray whales…

Location
Next Level Sailing
Shelter Island Drive
Check in opens an hour before departure time and closes 30 minutes before departure. Check in flag located across the street from the Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Blue Wave Bar & Grill. Please look at Inclusions/Exclusions for specific check in times. Abundant free parking at our location!
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(2148 Ratings)
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Leslie_a
Jun 18, 2025
Great Day! - Enjoyed the day out to sea! The ship was fantastic and so was the crew! Saw a fantastic pod of dolphins!
Review provided by Viator
G8718vwangelas
Jun 18, 2025
Wonderful experience. - The crew was very attentive, informative, and fun. They did a great job of making it a good experience for all. We had a great time and would do it again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tim_c
Jun 18, 2025
Great staff, great ship,... - Great staff, great ship, great day!! Beautiful way to be out on the water. Had a wonderful viewing of dolphins
Review provided by Viator
234brucez
Jun 18, 2025
Highly recommended - Very friendly crew. Beautiful vessel. Excellent narrator. Took great care of anyone that felt sea sick. Saw 3 blue whales !!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Binkley17
Jun 17, 2025
Amazing adventure! - Phenomenal time! Great crew, amazing ship, and wonderful views! We saw 2 pods/different species of dolphin, much other marine life, but no whales this trip. They were very clear on how we could come back for free and we will (Besides a huge tip for the crew)! One piece of advice "BYOB" lol, but truly, bring your own everything! If you want a lunch, bring it! Also, be at the meeting spot 20 minutes til departure! The marina is a locking gate and the captain, while awesome, is structured and will leave you behind! hahah He was kind enough to wait for my wife 2 minutes, but he was irritated! lol. But as a kind, weathered boatsman.. irritated. He was amazing! The crew is so kind and attentive! Tip Them big!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen_p
Jun 15, 2025
San Diego native - The ship was beautiful and the staff were very professional and knowledgeable. The trip was calm and very enjoyable.
Review provided by Viator
Beatrice_h
Jun 14, 2025
Wonderful Staff - The staff is very friendly and helpful especially with people who experience seasickness. They were wonderful with my granddaughter who was very sea sick. They gave her a bucket, let her borrow a wrist band, gave her ginger candy and mint oil and lastly they cleaned up after her since the symptoms appeared rapidly and she threw up before they got her a bucket. They were very sympathetic towards her and were very graceful under the circumstances. I give them a 5 Star rating.
Review provided by Viator
Amandaharris2202
Jun 13, 2025
Informative, well prepared crew with an amazing sail boat! - We had a great experience on our tour! We saw several dolphins & sea lions! The crew was very informative and entertaining. Beautiful sail boat, too! The weather was a bit cold and there were a few participants feeling sea sick. Very clean, organized & prepared crew! Thank you! We will do this again!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maged_a
Jun 17, 2025
Get your lunch, poor... - Get your lunch, poor snaks. Not necessary to see the whale Nice to have the sail inside the ocean and see sea lion swimming
Review provided by Viator
Chitralekha_d
Jun 11, 2025
You may not see a whale;... - You may not see a whale; we didn’t :-( Also, it can be really cold on the water, so bundle up! We were given blankets and snacks. Friendly crew 🙂
Review provided by Viator
From $85
up to 9 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).