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San Diego Whale Watching Review: See Blue Whales Up Close
- Alyssa
- Jun 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 16
Why San Diego Is One of the Best Places to See Blue Whales
Each year from mid-June through September, an enormous and elusive visitor appears just off the shores of San Diego: the blue whale. These giants span over 70 feet in length, can weigh more than 200,000 pounds, and are so rare that only about one percent of the world’s population has ever seen one in person.
San Diego is one of the few places on Earth where you stand a real chance of joining that one percent. During summer, the coastline becomes rich in krill, the tiny crustaceans that blue whales rely on, which makes this region a seasonal feeding ground. The exact arrival time varies each year, and once the whales are spotted, they usually stick around for about 3–4 weeks before continuing their migration south.
Why We Booked Our San Diego Whale Watching Trip
In early June, we caught a local news interview with Adventure Whale Watching San Diego, where one of their captains reported seeing more than 25 blue whales in the area. That was the nudge we needed. We booked a weekday trip for the very next week to maximize our chances.
Cost of Our Blue Whale Watching Tour in San Diego
For two adult tickets, we paid:
Base tickets: $218 total
Port and boarding fees: $25.51
5% fuel surcharge: $9.81
Final total: $231.52
We did snag a 10% discount by booking on a weekday, which saved us $21.80 off the ticket price. If you’re flexible, that’s an easy way to cut costs without sacrificing the experience.
The Experience: Our San Diego Whale Watching Tour
Booking and Rescheduling Was Simple
We originally booked our tickets online for the 3:00 PM tour with Adventure Whale Watching. Since no one else had reserved that time, the company reached out via call and text to reschedule us. They offered the 8:30 AM tour that same day instead, and once we approved, our tickets were updated within minutes.
Good to know: the company requires at least four passengers per trip. If fewer than four books, you’ll be asked to reschedule, but the staff are professional and easy to work with.
Check-In and Parking Instructions
The day before our trip, we received an email with detailed instructions for parking and what to bring. Guests park at the Sheraton Hotel Harbor lot, where you should also use the restroom before boarding. There are no bathrooms on the boat or at the company’s small dockside shop, so plan since you’ll be on the water for up to three hours.
The emailed directions were clear, guiding us through the hotel to the harbor. At the dock, the company’s shop was easy to find, and the staff greeted us outside. We signed a quick waiver, got fitted for life jackets, and then headed to the boat for the safety briefing.
The Boat: A Small Zodiac Raft
Adventure Whale Watching operates a small-group Zodiac raft that fits about six passengers plus the captain. The raft is low to the water, which gives you expansive, level views of the ocean and its wildlife. Boarding was simple, just a step from the dock into the raft, with a small toolbox step if needed. Seating was arranged in three rows of benches, with two people per bench, all facing forward and leaving the sides clear for views.
Wildlife Encounters on the Tour
Once we left the harbor and headed toward the open Pacific, the real adventure began. Our captain skillfully guided the small raft along the coastline and into deeper waters, where we had the chance to see an incredible variety of marine life. From playful dolphins to rare ocean sunfish, every moment on the water brought a new surprise.
1. Leaving the Harbor: As we cruised out of San Diego Bay, we saw sea lions lounging on buoys, playfully jumping in and out of the water. Our captain circled slowly to give everyone a close view.
2. Dolphins Everywhere: Not long after clearing the harbor, we were surrounded by hundreds of dolphins. They leapt alongside the boat, surfed our wake, and even swam within a foot or two of us. Our captain explained we were witnessing the start of a super pod, which was incredible to see from such a low vantage point.
3. Rare Sightings: Along the way, we spotted two Mola Mola (sunfish), a juvenile and a large adult, basking near the surface, which our captain said was a rare treat. We also saw a giant jellyfish gliding just below the surface.
4. The Blue Whales: After about 45 minutes of cruising offshore, we finally saw the first blue whale spout in the distance. Then another. And another. Soon, we realized we were surrounded by at least three of the world’s largest animals. We watched in awe as they surfaced to breathe, glided across the water, and dove deep. A few times, we even saw their massive tails lift out of the water, a lucky sight, our captain said doesn’t happen on most trips. We stayed with the whales for nearly an hour, giving everyone time to enjoy the experience.
5. Returning to the Bay: On the way back, we encountered a group of bottlenose dolphins hunting fish. Closer to the Navy base, we saw a military-trained dolphin working with handlers, which was both surprising and fascinating. Passing the base, we also got close views of two U.S. Navy submarines, a striking contrast to our small raft.
Conditions on the Water
The raft moves fast with very little protection from the elements, so expect strong winds and sun exposure. We highly recommend:
Tying back long hair
Wearing a light jacket or layers
Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and water
Wrapping Up the Tour
Once back at the harbor, disembarking was as simple as stepping back onto the dock. We returned our life jackets, received a parking validation slip, and noticed a QR code on the boat benches that made it easy to leave a review or tip the captain digitally. Tipping was optional and never pushed, which we appreciated.
What to Bring on Your Whale Watching Tour
Since this tour is on a small open-air Zodiac raft, you’ll want to come prepared for both the sun and the wind. Here are our top recommendations:
Sunscreen – The sun reflects strongly off the water, even on cloudy days.
Hat – A baseball cap or wide-brimmed hat will help shield your face.
Jacket or layers – The wind can be chilly once the boat gets moving.
Phone or camera – For capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments.
Hair ties – If you have longer hair, you’ll want it tied back.
Cash for tipping – Tipping is optional but always appreciated.
Sunglasses – Polarized lenses will help reduce glare on the water.
Is San Diego Whale Watching Worth It?
Short Verdict: Yes, absolutely, and especially if it is Blue Whale season
We joined the one percent of the world’s population lucky enough to see blue whales in person, and it was unforgettable. Adventure Whale Watch in San Diego provided a knowledgeable guide, excellent communication, and a front-row seat to incredible wildlife. On our tour, we not only saw multiple blue whales but also hundreds of dolphins, rare sunfish, and more.
The company’s small, low-to-the-water Zodiac raft made the experience especially memorable, letting us get close to the action and enjoy expansive views. For $256.52 total, it was an experience of a lifetime. If you’re planning a trip between June and September, keep an eye out for sightings and be ready to head to San Diego quickly; the blue whales won’t stay long!
Quick Facts: San Diego Whale Watching with Adventure Whale Watch
Tour company: Adventure Whale Watch
Boat type: Small Zodiac raft (6 passengers + captain)
Tour length: ~3 hours
Cost: $231.52 total for 2 adults (weekday discount included)
Season: Best time June–September (blue whale migration)
Wildlife we saw: Blue whales, dolphins (super pod), sea lions, Mola Mola (sunfish), jellyfish, bottlenose dolphins, military-trained dolphins
Boarding location: Harbor next to the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Good to know: No bathrooms on board, use the hotel restroom beforehand. Bring layers, sunscreen, and cash for an optional tip.
Looking for somewhere to stay in San Diego? Check out our review of the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
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