San Diego Half-Day Marine Wildlife Tour with Lunch
5
San Diego Half-Day Marine Wildlife Tour with Lunch
By San Diego Sailing Tours
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About
Spot whales, dolphins, and other marine life as you sail along the San Diego Bay and coastline on a whale-watching and wildlife cruise. The beautifully restored vintage sailboat seats 6 passengers for an intimate voyage and personalized attention from the captain. In between whale spouts and pelican sightings, enjoy a gourmet box lunch and a glass of wine or craft beer.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 6 per group
Duration: 4h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Highlights
- See Pacific marine life, including whales, on a half-day nature cruise
- Sail in and out of the San Diego Bay and along the California coast
- Enjoy a gourmet box lunch and beer or wine onboard
- Small-group tour limited to 6 for a more personalized experience
- Group tour with up to 6 passengers.
- Venture out into the Pacific Ocean aboard a classically restored yacht.
- A chance to see marine wildlife and whales during the Whale Migration Season.
- Spacious outdoor deck for sightseeing.
- Spectacular views of San Diego’s coastline.
- Views of Downtown, Point Loma, Harbor Island, Shelter Island, and Coronado Island.
- Experienced skipper for a safe and smooth sailing experience.
- Tasty selection of cheese, salami, and crackers served onboard.
- Custom crafted lunch.
What's not included- Gratuities
- Parking Fees
- Make your way to Cabrillo Isle Marina at Harbor Island to board a classic 36-foot (11-meter) sailing yacht restored with details like mahogany and teak woodwork and luxurious interior design. Leave the harbor and spend about two hours sailing in and out of the dynamic San Diego Bay while looking for migrating whales, dolphins, sea lions, and birds such as pelicans and cormorants. Continue into the open Pacific Ocean and follow the coastline to scout more tell-tale whale spouts. The cruise is limited to 6 passengers, so there’s plenty of room to stretch out and take advantage of your captain’s expertise. Keep your energy up with snacks and a custom-order gourmet box lunch, plus your choice of wine, craft beer, or another beverage. The tour ends when the boat returns to its original departure point.
- Start:
- Safe Harbor Cabrillo Isle, 1450 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USADeparture Point: Cabrillo Isle Marina Address: 1450 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA, 92101 Directions: Please meet your captain at the Sea Lion Fountain 15 prior to departure. You will find the fountain directly in front of the Marina when you find parking.
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point. - Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5563P7- No high-heeled shoes, black-soled shoes or boots are allowed to be worn on board the yacht, please wear soft-soled shoes
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- All travelers will need to present a photo ID
- For the private sail, there is a maximum of 6 passengers allowed per booking
- Refunds will not be issued if tour/activity is missed due to late or non-arrival of cruise ship
- Legal Drinking Age is persons 21 and up
- Kids Go Free October: If you have more than one child traveling per adult, please pay operator directly for additional children at time of travel
- Most travelers can participate
- This experience 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
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5563P7
From
$196.00
per adult
Select date and travelers
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About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Daydream178448959820 contributionsSunset’s of San Diego!Sal was a great tour guide and Captain We had a great time. Got to see the sunset as well as the sunset, reflecting off of the downtown skyline.Written October 11, 2024
- conniee4470 contributionsNo trip for us!In late March we attended a silent auction fund raising dinner sponsored by SDSU students working to bring nutritional fresh fruits and vegetables to low income families. We bid $300 on a 2 hour sailing tour for 6 people donated by San Diego Sailing Tours. We were the highest bidder. I called their office, spoke with Corey who had arranged for this donation, and we scheduled our tour for sometime in June. The trip had to be reschduled as one of our group member's mother passed away. We called the office again and Corey said no problem (this was weeks before we were scheduled to depart) and we set a new date. This date had to be rescheduled again due to a member getting Covid but, once again, they had several days notice. Our new tour date was yesterday at 1pm. At noon yesterday I received a call from the owner saying we had never paid for the trip to which I explained that this had been a donation to a charity. His response was that we should have been charged for both rescheduled dates AND owed him sales tax. I have never paid sales tax on a donation! It was going to cost us $284 more dollars for our 2 hour cruise. He said that Corey had been fired for embezzlement. I do hope he takes Corey to court and am sympathetic to his financial problem, but a businessman has to take responsibilty for their employees actions on the job. We declined to go sailing yesterday, having a bad taste in our mouths by this shake down. It's okay...we made a donation to a worthwhile charity. As a long time resident of San Diego County, we have arranged for many adventures on the bay for visiting friends and family. Pretty sure we won't be using this particular outfit.Written September 18, 2024
- danielkB2237BA0 contributionsWater timeExcellent trip. Boat was great. Captain was terrific Strongly recommend this trip Very fun day. Bring binoculars if you have them!Written August 10, 2024
- edlC2601ER0 contributionsHighly recommend captain Sal.We sailed on the Lili Koi with captain Sal and had a great sail. It was a low key and relaxing trip and was fun to tack the boat while captain Sal managed the sails. Saw a lot of seals, sea lions and bird life. Also informative about the navy vessels and submarine base. Even learned about flag signaling.Written August 3, 2024
- vickilynn630 contributionsAVOID THIS COMPANY!AVOID this small business. They call at the last minute and cancel tours you have prepaid for and DO NOT REFUND YOUR MONEY! Captain “Corey” appears to be a scam artist from reading other reviews.Written July 27, 2024
- porter_osborne0 contributionsVery nice eveningMy wife and I truly enjoyed the sunset sail. We were aboard with two ladies who were on vacation. The snacks and drinks were a perfect touch for the sail. The only obstacle is finding the office and or boat. Allow a couple of extra minutes for that.Written June 9, 2024
- Sunshine6292150 contributionsFun 2-hour sail!My husband and I had a wonderful 2-hour morning sail and learned a lot about the history of San Diego, including the US Naval bases there. We saw tons of wildlife and especially enjoyed watching the sea lions sunbathe and frolic in the water. Heartily recommend!Written September 15, 2023
- C9548OBchristopherc0 contributionsMorning SailTook a 10am sail around San Diego Harbor with Corey as our Captain. He was amazing!! Very attentive to passengers and talked about all sights we were seeing. Very knowledgeable Captain. We had a fun and relaxing time. Would highly recommend!!Written September 14, 2023
- ssalinas3210 contributionsWe had a blast!We had a blast! Kyle and Bruce were fun, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about sailing. Boat was clean and all directions (including where to meet) were clear. We would do it again! Highly recommend.Written September 3, 2023
- boxingpam0 contributionsBeautiful private moonlight cruiseWe did a Moonlight sail and Corey was our Captain. It was a beautiful night, Corey was a great and informative captain and we got an unexpected bonus of fireworks off the Midway ship and bioluminescence algea in the water. It was FANTASTIC!!!Written September 1, 2023
- Extraordinary7773940 contributionsSailing AwayBeautiful day of sailing and our Captain Sal was wonderful. We all enjoyed this very special day for us. We were a large group and locals to San Diego. Packaged snacks were offered and we brought our own snacks as well. Had a great day. The real drawbacks had to do with the price and the boat. The boat was old. For the price paid, which was a lot…the boat for a large private group should have been a lot more sleek and glamorous. There were lots of add ons; per person over 6 people there was a fee, and of course the tip. We are experienced sailors and had a great time. Just will look for more cost effective companies and newer fleet next time.Written July 31, 2023
- Juan A0 contributionsBest part of our trip!Best part of our San Diego trip! Our Captain Kyle was super fun and knowledgeable. Perfect sunset. Easy to handle for any person concerned about getting seasick as you’re in the bay.Written June 21, 2023
- chelseakU2784ZT0 contributionsAmazing Sailing ExperienceHighly recommend this sailing experience, very qualified captain (captain Corey!), was so much fun!Written June 15, 2023
- reynam9740 contributionsFriends on a boatWe took so many photos. The Captin made this adventure great and amusing. The other passenger where also a group of friends that help make the trip so amazing.Written May 29, 2023
- Elizala0 contributionsAmazing Sunset TourThis is the second time we did a sailing tour with San Diego Sailing Tours and they didn’t disappoint. We had so much fun last year and this time was even more special. Captain Corey was so knowledgeable and told us all about the history of the area. I highly recommend this specific tour company because they really care about their customers and making sure they have the best experience possible!Written April 28, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
23 reviews
Excellent
21
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Erdem M
Austin, TX29 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Amazing way to spend 3 hours sailing around San Diego!
Jim (our captain) and Kathy were excellent hosts and we enjoyed sailing with the beautiful boat. We saw seals and seabirds up close and loved every minute on the water.
Not every season is whale or dolphin migration season, so do not expect to see them at every trip ;)
Highly recommended! Remember to bring lots of sunscreen and a hat!
Jim (our captain) and Kathy were excellent hosts and we enjoyed sailing with the beautiful boat. We saw seals and seabirds up close and loved every minute on the water.
Not every season is whale or dolphin migration season, so do not expect to see them at every trip ;)
Highly recommended! Remember to bring lots of sunscreen and a hat!
Written July 2, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rebecca
7 contributions
Aug 2019
Supercalifragilisticexpialidoci to Captain Terry! Couldn’t a been a more perfect sail day! We learned new things, places and dolphins fun facts. Delicious sandwiches from the deli also. Mahalo Captain Terry a hoi hou makou 🌺
Written August 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nicole L
Stuttgart, Germany1 contribution
Thanks to Charley! We had a great day today!!! And a dream - to see dolphins in freedom - came true! Also thx for the tip with Old Town! We ate Californian Burritos there! 🥰
Written August 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lori S
Meridian, ID4 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
Went on marine life tour and it was utterly delightful. Al the captain was fantastic in his knowledge of sailing and the sites. Chance and Andrew helped set it up in the office. Thanks so much to everyone for a magical sailing adventure. Highly recommended.
Written April 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CaptainIanA
Riverside, CA1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Couples
My wife and I had an amazing day sailing. Captain Charley was great, the boat was nicely maintained, service was awesome. We contacted them once before the trip with some weather concerns and they were very prompt and friendly in contacting me back and offering alternative trips, though we didn't change anything. We will definitely sail with them again, and recommend them to everyone.
Written March 19, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emarie1
Saint Paul, MN70 contributions
Feb 2018 • Friends
Although we didn't see any wildlife our tour on the ocean water was the highlight of our trip. there is plenty of room to move about the ship. Thankfully we wore layers because on the windy open water it got super chilly and we even needed a blanket as a layer.. The provided beverages, lunch and snacks were just what we needed. Would recommend this trip to anyone.
Written February 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Denise M
2 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
Highly recommend. Captain Kyle kept was knowledge , informative and funny. I plan to bring some of my German work colegues in November.
Written September 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Holly F
Woodinville, WA5 contributions
Captain Cory was wonderful. Lots of sea lions and sea birds. Don’t expect to see whales but lovely day and lots of fun anyway
Written May 12, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizzy N
Atlanta, Georgia, United States2 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
We had a nice time sailing around, but our captain didn’t even attempt to take us to find whales. This was highly disappointing because I researched many companies, and I confirmed via email that I was booking the right tour to see whales before I booked. We sailed around in a big rectangle while eating lunch. I would not recommend booking the wildlife tour with them, if you expect to see more than seagulls and seals. Definitely not a “whale watching tour.” Wildly disappointing as we are here for my boyfriend’s birthday, and I tried to book something special for us.
Written March 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BM_VancouverWA
2 contributions
Dec 2019
My wife and I arrived to find we'd be the only ones on board. We motored out of the harbor, then started sailing from the mouth of the harbor. The captain let me drive and we had a nice upwind sail with a few spouts in the distance, but no whales. After about an hour, we turned back towards the harbor and enjoyed our sandwiches and sodas on the smooth downwind run. The captain pointed out a bunch of interesting sights as we passed, giving us a better sense of the area and its history. We visited a spot where sea lions haul out and many sea birds stop to rest and got some great pics.
We had a great day of sailing, and I'm sure we'd have been right among the big whale-watch boats if whales had been around.
All the other stuff was great. Good website for booking, instructions to take a Lyft over due to limited parking, captain met us on time, trip finished on time. Box lunches specified from an online menu were as ordered and included pickle and cookie, plus chips and soda on boat and alcoholic beverages if we'd been interested.
We expect to sail with them again next time we're in town
We had a great day of sailing, and I'm sure we'd have been right among the big whale-watch boats if whales had been around.
All the other stuff was great. Good website for booking, instructions to take a Lyft over due to limited parking, captain met us on time, trip finished on time. Box lunches specified from an online menu were as ordered and included pickle and cookie, plus chips and soda on boat and alcoholic beverages if we'd been interested.
We expect to sail with them again next time we're in town
Written December 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GoldenJames
Cancun, Mexico
I have two sons with 6 and 3 years old. Are they able to join the tour? If yes, how much for the kids?
Written November 8, 2018
We have two daughters , ages 9 and 7, would you recommend this for family sailing trip?
Written July 1, 2018
Hi! Last year we did this tour with Captain Alan and we were hoping he would be available again this year. Either 5/8 or 5/9? Please let me know! Thank you!!!!
Written April 24, 2018
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