No visit to San Diego is ever truly complete without experiencing its remarkable waterfront, beautiful coastline, and unforgettable harbor from a boat. The way many visitors go about this is by taking a guided boat tour. It doesn’t matter whether you’re interested in getting closer to the region’s abundant marine life or just want to see the city skyline from the sea, there’s a San Diego boat tour out there that’s right for you.
Planning Your San Diego Boat Tour
As you contemplate going on a San Diego boat tour, it’s crucial to take stock of just how many options there are out there to choose from. Harbor cruises, whale watches, seal tours, jet boat tours, sailing cruises, kayak tours, local ferries—you name it, San Diego’s got it. As you research which San Diego boat tour is right for you, you’ll discover boat tours devoted to subjects as diverse as the harbor ecosystem, military history, fishing, wine tasting, seal spotting, and whale watching, just name to a few. Likewise, there are boat tours that take place on luxurious yachts, amphibious duck boats, antique sailing vessels, elegant sternwheeler boats, high-speed jet boats, sportfishing ships, and more. If any of these types of boats sound particularly intriguing to you, that could go a long way toward helping you make up your mind about which tour to take.
Which San Diego Boat Tour Is Right for Me?
Given that San Diego is one of the loveliest seaside cities found anywhere in the world, it comes as no surprise you have a lot of different boat tours to choose from when surveying the marketplace. How best then to pick the San Diego boat tour that’s perfect for you? Consider the following questions while conducting your research.
*What do I really want out of my San Diego boat tour?
–As noted above, there are all sorts of San Diego boat tours available. Some are fairly standard tours—they are primarily devoted to providing guests with basic background information about the city while highlighting major landmarks. Others cater to specific interests like competitive sailing and deep-sea fishing. Having a clear idea of what you want to get out of your boat tour will help you pare down your options in a hurry.
*How long do I want to spend in the water?
–San Diego’s many boat tours vary substantially when it comes to how long they last. Some are as short as 30 or 60 minutes in duration, while others can run for upwards of 5 to 6 hours. If you have a sense of how much time you have in your schedule for a boat tour, it’ll help you make your decision.
*Do I want to go whale watching?
–If the answer is yes, then you’ll need to take stock of a whole other set of considerations, namely timing—whale watching in San Diego is seasonal, only taking place between December and April, and June and September. (See [this page] for more information on San Diego whale watches.)
What to Expect on Your San Diego Boat Tour
After you’ve picked the San Diego boat tour that’s right for you, you’ll want to make sure you’re fully prepared for your upcoming water adventure. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you depart.
*Dress in comfortable clothes, and be sure to wear layers. The temperature at sea will typically be significantly cooler than it is on land—and this is especially the case tours that leave the harbor. You’ll want to be able to easily add or subtract clothing as need be for the duration of your boat tour.
*The majority of boat tours in the San Diego area tend not to permit outside food or drink. Instead, they offer snacks and a variety of beverages through their own in-house snack bar. To avoid being forced to dispense with bottles of water and whatnot dockside, check with your boat tour operator in advance to be aware of their policy.
*Last but not least, remember that most San Diego boat tours require reservations. If you have your heart set on experiencing a particular boat tour at a specific time—or if your visit to San Diego involves negotiating a tight schedule—you’re going to want to book your boat tour spot ahead of time.
Popular Types of Boat Tours
San Diego Harbor Cruises
The standard San Diego harbor cruise comes in three tour formats: north harbor tour, south harbor tour, and full bay tour. Knowing your sightseeing priorities is the key to deciding just which harbor cruise is the one for you. Many tour companies that operate San Diego harbor cruises also offer special themed excursions.
San Diego Whale Watches
San Diego is a mecca for whale watching tourists. You’ll have quite a few different whale watching tours to choose from. No matter which whale watching excursion you go on, you’re liable to see other delightful creatures of the sea. You’ll want to wear (and bring extra) clothing you can layer.