Add dates

San DiegoCruises & boat tours

Our most recommended San Diego Cruises & boat tours

San Diego: Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

1. San Diego: Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

See the sights of San Diego Bay on a fully-narrated cruise. Pass by Seaport Village, Shelter Island, Coronado Island, Point Loma, and Cabrillo National Monument, among other notable points of interest, while taking in beautiful skyline views. San Diego’s North Harbor cruise takes you past historic ships in the Maritime Museum, Harbor Island, North Island Naval Air Station, and Shelter Island. The South Harbor route includes sightings of the Coronado Bridge, the U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier, the U.S. Navy Surface Fleet, and the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. As you sail, keep a lookout for wildlife such as blue herons, sea lions, and pelicans Listen as your professional crew provides commentary about the rich local and military history, points of interest, and facts about San Diego Bay. This sightseeing cruise also showcases local environmental conservation efforts through video clips and onboard displays.

San Diego: Harbor Cruise

2. San Diego: Harbor Cruise

See San Diego's best sights. Learn about the city and enjoy a cruise on the bay. Depending on the option booked, this tour takes you under the Coronado Bridge, past military ships, waterfront landmarks, and marine life for a look at San Diego's scenic beauty and fascinating history. This tour’s luxury ships offer three levels with comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, 360-degree views, and an on-board snack bar serving snacks, soda, beer, wine and cocktails (available for purchase). This is a great way to experience San Diego from the water.

San Diego: Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride

3. San Diego: Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride

Embark on a thrilling adventure on the San Diego bay as you zip and zoom past military ships, along the downtown skyline, and under the iconic Coronado Bridge. With rock music pumping, feel the wind and the refreshing spray of the San Diego bay as the Patriot carves 360-degree turns and reaches speeds upwards of 50 miles per hour. There's no experience like it. Enjoy gorgeous views on a 30-minute tour on an open-air jet boat. No two Patriot trips are the same, but this is not just a random joy ride through the bay. You will be taken past San Diego's most beautiful waterfront sights including: USS Midway Aircraft Carrier, North Island Naval Air Station, Coronado Bridge, Star of India and the iconic ships of the Maritime Museum, as well as the San Diego skyline. You may get wet, but ponchos are provided.

San Diego: SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus

4. San Diego: SEAL City Tour by Amphibious Bus

Splash into San Diego Bay with an insightful tour across land and water. most unique sightseeing tour. Take a seat aboard a hybrid bus and boat and come across the most interesting sights in the city. Learn about San Diego's main landmarks from your guide. Wind through picturesque San Diego streets before splashing into the water for a cruise of San Diego Bay. Pass the Embarcadero and San Diego International Airport. Hear about the importance of the military in San Diego and other local icons as you travel along the scenic coast. Once you splash into the Big Bay, glide by Navy ships, tugboats, and fishing vessels throughout the harbor. Pass by Shelter Island and listen to stories of early sailors.

San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

5. San Diego: Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise

Embark on a marine life adventure on a dolphin and whale watching tour off the coast of San Diego. Keep a lookout for gray whales, blue whales, common dolphins, and more as you glide over the Pacific Ocean's dark blue waters. San Diego is one of the best locations to watch whales year-round. Gray Whales migrate winter-spring from feeding grounds in Alaskan waters to calving lagoons in Baja California and back. In summer, the legendary Blue Whales, the largest animals on Earth, commonly feed off-shore of the San Diego coast.  You may also spot Fin, Blue, Humpback, and Minke whales during the summer whale watching season. Additionally, you'll often see pods of Dolphins including Risso’s, Common, Pacific White-Sided, and Bottlenose Dolphins. Your captain will also highlight other wildlife such as Sea Lions, various fish like Mola Mola (Sunfish), and a variety of marine birds such as Herons, Terns, Pelicans, and Gulls.  View these extraordinary mammals in the wild on this spectacular cruise. The expert crew will help you locate these creatures and additional marine wildlife, such as dolphins and sea lions. Learn about marine life and local environmental efforts from professional captains and whalers who work at the San Diego Natural History Museum.  You may even spot a whale calf traveling with its mother as they return from the Arctic. This is a fantastic and exhilarating journey for all age groups. Guaranteed whale or dolphin sighting. If you don't sight some type of whale or dolphin during the cruise, you'll be issued a pass that's good for another San Diego whale watching or harbor cruise. San Diego is quickly becoming one of the world’s best whale watching locations. The city is home to whales, dolphins, and sea birds, and features one of the world's most beautiful coastlines.  Enjoy live educational narration from captains and trained naturalists employed by the Natural History Museum.  Watch blue whales and dolphins in comfort on a large, fast, and stable boat!

San Diego: San Diego Bay Sunset & Daytime Sailing Experience

6. San Diego: San Diego Bay Sunset & Daytime Sailing Experience

Set sail with your Captain aboard our sailboat and see some of San Diego's finest highlights on our comfortable sailing yacht as we depart from Sunroad Resort Marina on Harbor Island and sail along the San Diego Skyline and enjoy a beautiful day, or evening sunset on San Diego Bay. We often see Sea Lions and occasionally Dolphins frolicking, and we always have a fantastic time! White wine, soda, water are available on board complimentary. No smoking allowed. For a private sailing experience for you and your friends only reserve 6 seats. It'll just be your crew and the Captain on board with a private sailing. If you don't see a date scheduled that you are interested in, reach out! We sail daily and can usually accommodate you!

San Diego: Gourmet Dinner Cruise

7. San Diego: Gourmet Dinner Cruise

Enjoy a dinner cruise from San Diego that combines culinary excellence with unforgettable scenery and ambient DJ music. Look for local wildlife as you sail and admire views of the city skyline, the Coronado Bridge, and the Cabrillo National Monument.  Stroll the spacious decks and watch the sunset before dinner. Dinner is a seated meal with an elaborate wine list, upgrades and additions, and vegetarian options. Savor crisp salads, braised ribs, oven-roasted salmon entrees, and luscious desserts After dinner, listen to relaxing music, as you enjoy your dessert and coffee. Photos are taken at beginning of the cruise and they can be purchased at the end when you return to your meeting point. Sample Dinner Menu For The TableAssorted bread and butter (V) Starter (Choice of One)Beet and baby arugula salad (G*) (V)Feta cheese | cherry tomatoes | balsamic vinaigrette SIGNATURE SEAFOOD CHOWDER (G*)Signature seafood chowder (G*)Clams | flounder | potatoes | cream Main (Choice of One)Root vegetable fricassee (G*) (VG) (V)Butternut squash | cauliflower | zucchini | grape tomatoes | gremolata | cauliflower coconut cream sauce Broiled salmon filet with roasted tomato vinaigretteLemon orzo | farm-fresh seasonal vegetables Oven-roasted chicken breast with rosemary and thymeRoasted new red potato salad with scallions | haricot verts | creamy mushroom sauce Braised beef short ribs with Fresno pepper demi-glace (G*)Garlic mashed potatoes | baby carrots | broccoli Dessert (Choice of One)Signature chocolate cake (V)Creme Anglaise | raspberry coulis | candied pecans  Mixed fruit (G*) (VG) (V)Madagascar vanilla and orange cream New York-style cheesecake (V)Lemon mascarpone cream | blueberry compote (may contain nuts) *Menus subject to change

San Diego: Buffet, Brunch, and Cruise Tour

8. San Diego: Buffet, Brunch, and Cruise Tour

Sample a variety of breakfast and lunch dishes with fantastic views, and then head to the outdoor deck for fresh sea air and a narrated bay cruise. Enjoy private seating in the dining room to enjoy the food and the scenery with your friends. Try San Diego’s most popular and unique Sunday Champagne Brunch, with views that change with the courses. Enjoy breakfast and lunch entrees, carving stations, a salad and a dessert bar, and free-flowing champagne. Relax with light music to complete your cruise. Premier Buffet Brunch MenuEarly Riser:Assorted muffins and danishesScrambled eggsBreakfast meat and potatoesFrench toast Late Risers:Kale quinoa saladPasta saladHand-carved strip loinHand-carved oven-roasted turkeyPasta al Forno Dessert: CakesBrowniesSeasonal fruit

San Diego: Guided Sunset Sailing Cruise with Drinks

9. San Diego: Guided Sunset Sailing Cruise with Drinks

The main goal is to provide you, your family, friends, and loved ones an amazing experience that you’ve never had before. You will see what it is like to truly sail. You’ll go underway to unforgettable sites, gain knowledge of our beautiful San Diego City, and gain inside tips with local knowledge to keep your trip unique and anchored in your memory for a lifetime.

San Diego: Whale Watching Tour

10. San Diego: Whale Watching Tour

Marvel at the amazing views of San Diego Bay as you look out for sightings of marine wildlife including dolphins, sea lions, gray whales, and more. Your tour will be led by ocean experts as you get a deeper understanding of the ocean ecosystem and the sea creatures that live in it. Discover the San Diego coast on a two-story whale watching yacht, featuring 360-degree views from the main level and upper sundeck, multiple restrooms, and free guest WiFi. You will follow the whale migration path to bring you up close for the best sighting spots, which change every day. Early in the season, whales swim closer to the coast, so the maximum distance is about 3-5 miles. On their return trip, northbound whales swim further out, up to 9-12 miles off the coast. Make sure to wear layers as it can get pretty cool on the bay and don't forget to wear your sunscreen and hat while on this excursion. Bring your camera to capture all the memories you'll make on this exciting adventure.

22 activities found
Sort by:
Page 1 of 2

Immersive experiences

Frequently asked questions about San Diego Cruises & boat tours

What are other things to do than Cruises & boat tours that are worth visiting in San Diego?

Which San Diego Cruises & boat tours are taking additional COVID-19 precautions?

Other Sightseeing Options in San Diego

Want to discover all there is to do in San Diego? Click here for a full list.

What people are saying about San Diego

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 505 reviews

We did the 2 hour tour of the North and South Bay. The South Bay covered the US navy in port and it was really interesting to see so many ships in one place. The guide was excellent keeping his comments concise and punchy. The sound system was good. 1 bar was open serving approx 60 customers with lots of choice. I can easily recommend this trip as an essential to your visit to San Diego

Totally worth the experience! Had a great time. Staff was super friendly. We went on the latest ride and we got to catch the sunset. Buy your picture afterwards!

Fantastic trip out to sea! Saw hundreds of dolphins and a handful of grey whales! Including a 2 day old baby!

Very relaxing. Clean decks. Spacious enough to enjoy family in comfort. highly recommend 2 hour cruise.

So relaxing! Beautiful sunset colors and festive coastline.