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
(1985 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Trish_a
Sep 8, 2024
Best whale watching boat in San Diego - Great experience on the Americas boat with Next Level Sailing. The captain and crew were very informative and interactive. It is a beautiful boat with a great story of reconstruction. We saw a super pod of about 200 dolphins, which Was very exciting and the very vocal Sea Lions on the way in. This was my first whale watching trip and look forward to the next one when the whales are active in the area. The only thing I would recommend is more ice to keep the beer cold.
Review provided by Viator
Michelle
Sep 7, 2024
Beautiful morning in the Pacific - The crew were all nice and helpful. I never used the bathroom, but the rest of the boat was very tidy. There were free snacks, water, and soft drinks, but we were allowed to bring our own food. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a jacket. We saw lots of dolphins, a whale, and lots of sea birds.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Brittany
Sep 6, 2024
Awesome experience - The crew was very informative and we ended up finding several dolphins and a humpback whale! I felt like was the perfect length of time to be out. We loved this experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gracie_s
Sep 5, 2024
Dolphins - Seeing the dolphins 🥰 the staff was wonderful very attentive and knowledgeable. Definitely go back with my family
Review provided by Viator
Richard_s
Sep 3, 2024
Whales are real, I saw them on this tour! - Really cool experience! First time I’ve seen a whale! Staff were cool and the ship was spectacular and beautiful!
Review provided by Viator
Kerri_b
Sep 3, 2024
Great tour! - Incredible yacht for touring. The crew was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable. Saw lots of dolphins up close with fantastic pics.
Review provided by Viator
Missi
Sep 2, 2024
Whale watching - The crew was very knowledgeable about the sail boat, the area and the animals around us. The sail boat is amazing, very clean and can see the water from every angle. My husband and I had a wonderful time.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ortizv8
Aug 30, 2024
Beautiful boat, amazing views and a friendly crew! - What a great experience. I booked this to take my father on a first time sailing tour(he uses a prosthetic leg). This was a last minute booking so I did not even think to call and ask for special accommodations. Thankfully, Capt. Troy and his crew were so helpful and accommodating for my dad. They even brought a wheelchair to help him down to the dock and back. It was a 4 hour sailing tour. (They offered snacks/drinks) We saw a stampede of dolphins (amazing!) and some sea lions but no whales, unfortunately. It was still a great time. I enjoyed listening to Diana's explanation on everything. She was so enthusiastic about the wildlife! The boat was really beautiful and the friendly staff made the experience above and beyond. I will definitely recommend this tour and am looking forward to booking again next time I'm visiting San Diego.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Christinaquakenbush
Aug 29, 2024
No whales but fun being on water - We didn’t see whales but it was super fun being out on the water. The crew was super friendly. They allowed dogs so we had some furry friends to pet.
Review provided by Viator
Mary_o
Aug 27, 2024
An amazing afternoon aboard the “America”. - Sailing along schools of dolphins was amazing. The “America” was my first time on a schooner, it was an incredible way to see San Diego Harbor and the Pacific. Great captain, crew and ship dog Marie. I highly recommend an afternoon on the “America”.
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).