San Diego Whale Watching: Year-Round Marine Adventure
4.8
2,418 Ratings
San Diego

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 - Experience a journey past North Island Naval Air Station, US Navy Base Point Loma, Cabrillo National Monument, and Point Loma Lighthouse to observe sea lions, dolphins, and whales.
What's Included
  • 4.5-hr sailing cruise
  • Whale sighting guarantee: If you don’t see a whale, you get to come back for free
  • No seasickness’ guarantee: Lose your lunch, we get you a new one
  • Free Parking. Check-in located next to parking lot.
  • Sodas and snacks
  • Bring layers, blankets, and jackets. It can be cold on the water!
  • 9:00 AM trip: Check in between 8:00 AM…
see more
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop off
  • Bring layers, blankets, and jackets. It can be cold on the water!
Additional Information

Whale watching in San Diego is a year-round adventure! At Next Level Sailing, the team ensures an exceptional experience with highly skilled guides, achieving a 100% success rate in spotting the majestic King of the Deep during the winter season.
This is one of the top outdoor activities in San Diego. The gray whale watching season runs from mid-December…

see more
Location
Next Level Sailing
Shelter Island Drive
Check in opens an hour before departure time and closes 30 minutes before. If you arrive after check in, you will miss the boat. Check in flag located across street from the Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Blue Wave Bar & Grill. Additional Information will show specific check in times.
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.8
(2418 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Jennifer_m
May 1, 2026
Amazing day with great crew aboard a beautiful yacht! - The experience is amazing! The weather on the way out was colder than on the way back but it was tolerable. We saw 3 kinds of whales as well as dolphin and sea lions! The crew are very knowledgeable and experienced so it makes the trip much better. The whole experience was so much fun even as a solo. Would definitely go again with the crew!!! I would recommend taking some sort of motion sickness prior to going if you have any chance of getting sick. I get seasickness but I did alright as long as I stayed seated and kept the breeze in my face. I also didn’t eat or drink a lot prior to boarding.
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_m
Apr 30, 2026
This was such a fun... - This was such a fun experience! The boat was incredible, staff was amazing, everything was really great. So glad we decided to do it. I really recommend these guys.
Review provided by Viator
Lisala_13
Apr 29, 2026
Perfect day - Absolutely amazing! Perfect weather, beautiful ship, fabulous crew. We saw a sunfish, dolphins, pelicans, a humpback AND a blue whale!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Amanda_r
Apr 27, 2026
A unique adventure with a friendly crew...and adorable boat pup! - Had a wonderful trip with Fathom and crew. The entire crew was friendly and attentive, making sure we all knew what to expect and where to look. The ship itself was unique - compared to the much larger ships that offer whale watching we were able to manuever more quickly to get closer to whales in real time. We were lucky enough to see several fin whales, two humpback whales, a large group of dolphins, a herd of sea lions, and some Navy SEAL trainings in motion! Definitely bring layers - what feels like a gentle ocean breeze on shore can be a brisk, cold wind once you get a few miles out. And, if you don't end up wearing the extra layer, you can use it to soften the seat. We didn't take advantage of the snacks or soft drinks, though the crew offered them multiple times. The crew was also attentive to look for signs of discomfort, offering a variety of preventatives and remedies to help avoid or reduce sea sickness. The swells were pretty substantial during our trip, and I definitely needed the help. We were also elated that there was a pup on board - Kylo! He traversed the group and got lots of affection.
Review provided by Viator
R4625rsamberg
Apr 27, 2026
Awesome sailing and whale watching adventure - I give this a 12 out of 10 - amazing! The sailboat itself would have been enough, but we were fortunate to spend about a 45 minutes with a mother and calf fin whales. We were so close and the pretty much stayed around the surface. I am prone to seasickness and the waves were pretty high the day we sailed, but taking a Dramamine did the trick. They had motion sickness bracelets and ginger chews onboard. We learned a lot about the America and whales. The captain and crew were very attentive and knowledgeable. We even saw some sea lions. I definitely recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
698cheris
Apr 27, 2026
We saw fin whales - We have sailed with this company many many times and haves loved every single experience! I recommend them to everyone !
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dan_m
Apr 26, 2026
Platinum Service. Lifetime Experience. - The crew is very friendly and experience. Captain Troy is a owner operator so you can see the proud of ownership in every aspect of sailing boat.
Review provided by Viator
Maureenpj8370db
Apr 26, 2026
Excellent Experience Overall - Excellent experience! 5 fin whales, 2 different pods and sea lions! Even without seeing these majestic animals, the trip was great. We experienced the entire thing, and it was terrific. Beautiful boat, the captain and crew were amazing!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Paulse168tu
Apr 25, 2026
The Experience of a Lifetime! - We had the experience of a lifetime! The crew of Captain Troy and Fathom, Derek, Ariana, and Dylan were so knowledgeable and made our adventure even more pleasant. The care they showed to each and every passenger was top notch. Sailing on such a fantastic and historical vessel America was mind blowing. The 2 species of whales and dolphins we saw and heard will be something we remember forever. If you’ve ever wanted to go whale watching, DO IT and contact Next Level Sailing.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Backpacker170049
Apr 25, 2026
And exciting day on a beautiful ship out in the ocean - What a an exciting adventure. The America sailing yacht is just magnificent. From the moment we boarded we knew we were in great hands. The staff is accommodating, super friendly, and very knowledgeable. The ocean was rougher than we would have liked, but that didn't stop it from being a wonderful experience. As excited as we were to see fin whales, I think the crew was more excited for us. And, if we missed anything we were given videos of the experience at the end of the trip. We will definitely be back for another season to a different kind of whale. We also saw a bunch of sea lions.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $85
From $85
up to 9 guests
1 - Adult
Select a date
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).