San Diego · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in San Diego

88 tours  ·  from $34 a head

This city makes more sense from the water than from the freeway. The 15 below run from a ninety-minute narrated loop of the bay to a full afternoon under sail, each priced and clear about how long you are actually on deck.

San Diego: Harbor Cruise - One hour or two hours: choose the route that fits your day
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews

San Diego Harbor Cruise

1.San Diego Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,980 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37Our pick

Cruise San Diego Bay for Navy ships, skyline views, sea lions, and Coronado sights on a relaxed 1 or 2-hour narrated boat tour.

“We (4) loved the San Diego Harbor Cruise! MC JJ explained most everything we saw and gave background information to aid our understanding. Ship was clean and well functioning, weather was beautiful and our day was very pleasant.”

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San Diego: Whale Watching Cruise - The animals you might see offshore
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

2.San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,317 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $85Top rated

Sail San Diego’s historic America replica in search of gray whales, dolphins, and sea lions, with snacks, expert narration, and a whale guarantee.

“This was incredible. The staff was so kind and helpful. They were so knowledgeable about the marine life found in San Diego. The instructions to find the check in point were very clear. We traveled with two kids 6 and 11 and a whole group with our family. The boat was so fun ! It’s a replica of a very old sailboat and it’s very beautiful. There’s no cover though so if it’s bad weather make sure to bring a raincoat. They have blankets and small snacks on board to give out. We saw grey whales, a huge pod of common dolphins, and sea lions.”

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San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise - Through the jetties in about 10 minutes
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

3.San Diego Whale Watching & Dolphin Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,588 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $71

San Diego whale watching cruise from Mission Bay with expert naturalists, dolphins, whales, coastal views, and practical tips for a better trip

“They're friendly knowledgeable and safety oriented would recommend for anybody. it was an amazing time can't wait to do it again”

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San Diego: Harbor Cruise - One hour or two hours: choose the route that fits your day
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews

San Diego: Harbor Cruise

4.Harbor Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,378 reviews · 1 - 2 hours · from $37

See San Diego Bay, Navy ships, sea lions, and the Coronado Bridge on a narrated Flagship cruise with indoor and outdoor seating.

“Easy access at the dock, the line moved quickly. The seating includes 2 levels, most of us chose the upper that day. There is a bar for rereshments. Staff were courteous. Nice tour of the harbor, well narrated, great views of the navy base.”

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San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise - Dinner inside the enclosed cabin
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, San Diego Dinner & Brunch Cruises, San Diego Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews

San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

5.San Diego Harbor Dinner Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,234 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Review of San Diego’s three-hour harbor dinner cruise, with skyline views, dinner, live entertainment, access tips, and honest value advice.

“Great experience food was excellent service on point loved the view drinks delicious our waitress was perfect”

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San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure - Setting out from Cabrillo Isle Marina
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Harbor Cruises, San Diego Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews

San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

6.San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 716 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $75

Drive your own F13 speedboat around San Diego Harbor, passing USS Midway, sea lions, Coronado Bridge, and historic ships with a guide.

“My son and his girlfriend LOVED it! Great value and amazing experience for them both! Highly recommend!”

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San Diego: Whale Watching Cruise - The animals you might see offshore
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Whale & Dolphin Watching, Tour Reviews

San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

7.San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 663 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $54

San Diego whale watching cruise with gray whales, dolphins, sea lions, expert guides, indoor seating, and a flexible 3.5-hour ocean trip.

“Great experience and value! We saw (4) Gray Whales come up at the same time and many more whale and dolphin sightings! There were hundreds of dolphins and several pods that swam along with the boat. We loved the additional information from a group that would come around with visual aids, such as the baleen plate of a gray whale, and talk about the whales, dolphins, and answer any questions.”

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Sunset Sail Along the San Diego Skyline - Captains make a major difference
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, San Diego Sailing Trips, San Diego Sunset Cruises, Tour Reviews

Sunset Sail Along the San Diego Skyline

8.Sunset Sail Along the San Diego Skyline

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 603 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $109

Sail San Diego Bay at sunset in a six-person yacht, with skyline views, bean bag seating, marine life, and a relaxed two-hour route.

“A beautiful cruise on a comfortable boat. Friendly and knowledgeable captain. An enjoyable way to end a day visiting San Diego.”

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Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion - Point Loma and its two lighthouses
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, San Diego Sailing Trips, San Diego Sunset Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion

9.Small-Group San Diego Sunset Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 592 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $127

Sail San Diego Bay at sunset on a six-person Catalina-style boat with skyline views, complimentary drinks, snacks, blankets, and a relaxed captain.

“Sailing with our family and Captain Dave was so relaxing. Our highlight was seeing a family of dolphins with two youngsters. The weather was beautiful.”

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Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion - Point Loma Lighthouses and the Open Pacific
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion

10.Small-Group San Diego Afternoon Sailing Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $116

Review of Sail San Diego’s small-group afternoon sail, with harbor views, wildlife, drinks, music, route details, pricing, and practical tips.

“It was fantastic. We opted for the open water excursion. The captain was very chill and professional. The sailboat was much nicer than the photos indicated. I plan on taking this ride on my next trip to San Diego.”

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San Diego Bay Jet Boat Ride - Seaport Village, Cabrillo, and quick waterfront views
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews

San Diego Bay Jet Boat Ride

11.San Diego Bay Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 397 reviews · 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Ride San Diego Bay at up to 40 knots, spin beneath the Coronado Bridge, and enjoy skyline views on this wet, music-filled jet boat trip.

“If you love FAST and THRILLING this is a MUST DO!!!! We loved it so much, I booked another ride as our “last day” favorite the very next day! My husband and kiddo were smiling ear to ear! The music was perfect! The captain and crew, beyond compare! Captain Brendon Baerg is a master at handling that boat! If you want to tip them, which I did very much want to show my appreciation, and you have no cash, the captain does have a QR code. I hope they post the QR code by the tip jar so you don’t have to ask. I used the cash app to Brendon…”

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San Diego: Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride - USS Midway and the naval waterfront
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews

San Diego: Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride

12.Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 395 reviews · 30 min · from $45

San Diego’s Patriot Jet Boat delivers 30 minutes of spins, speed, music, spray, and waterfront views for $45 per person.

“This was a very fun trip. My BF and I were coming from pretty far away and underestimated the time it would take to get there. They were more than accommodating in changing our time to the next slot without hesitation. The ride was thrilling, the music was great but we absolutely got DRENCHED! Just be mindful! We were walking to the ballpark after so we got dried off but definitely keep that in mind. Super fun”

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San Diego Bay Sail Aboard a Vintage Yacht Beer and Wine Included - Meeting at Safe Harbor Sunroad
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Sailing Trips, Tour Reviews

San Diego Bay Sail Aboard a Vintage Yacht Beer and Wine Included

Glow Nightime Pedal Boat Rental in San Diego Bay - What the glowing boat is like after dark
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Glow Nightime Pedal Boat Rental in San Diego Bay

14.Glow Nightime Pedal Boat Rental in San Diego Bay

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 327 reviews · 1 hour (approx.)

Pedal across San Diego Bay at night in a glowing boat with city views, Bluetooth music, blankets, and room for kids or a dog.

“Great neat experience shared with husband and kids. Even as teenagers they completely enjoyed it. We all did. All staff was friendly and inviting. They accomadated us very well. Will definitely return.”

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City Cruises San Diego: Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise - What the $99.64 price really covers
Cruises & Boat Tours, San Diego Dinner & Brunch Cruises, San Diego Harbor Cruises, Tour Reviews

City Cruises San Diego: Premier Bottomless Mimosa Brunch Cruise

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