When it comes to must-see attractions in San Diego, whale watching is at the top of the list. San Diego is the birthplace of whale watching, and you can see various species of whales throughout the year. It’s also reassuring to know that sightings are guaranteed (if you don’t spot a whale, you can join again on another day). Watching these majestic creatures swim dynamically through the vast ocean will create unforgettable memories. So, let’s go and experience it!
Departure from San Diego Harbor
The whale-watching cruise departs from San Diego Harbor. For parking, there is a convenient paid parking lot located just a few minutes walk from the cruise dock, next to the USS Midway Museum. Taking motion sickness medication when you arrive at the pier is a good idea if you’re worried about seasickness.
The cruise ship is larger than expected. It is a two-story vessel with an outdoor sun deck that is spacious enough to accommodate several hundred passengers. The seats are comfortable, offering plenty of room to relax. Due to the size of the ship, there’s minimal rocking, making it a very pleasant experience on board. Depending on the tour company, there may be two cruises a day, and we took the morning one. The sun deck has a refreshing breeze and a spectacular view of the downtown high-rises from the sea.
To the whale sighting area
As the boat sets off, the staff provides various explanations throughout the voyage. The ship moves leisurely, heading toward the area where the whales are, allowing us to enjoy the ocean view. Just past Point Loma, the peninsula extending from San Diego, I couldn’t help but laugh when I received a “Welcome to Mexico!” message from my phone carrier. It takes about an hour to reach the area where the whales are.
Encounter with the Whales
When we arrive at the destination, the captain stops the engine at a spot he has identified, and everyone quietly waits for the whales to appear. If you see white bubbles, that’s a sign a whale is underwater. With a 360-degree view, everyone works together to ensure we don’t miss any signs.
And then, finally, a whale appears!! Each time it surfaces or spouts, the boat fills with cheers. While waiting for the next breath, we all eagerly watch, hoping to see the whale again, but since we don’t know how long it will stay underwater, we hold on and wait patiently, enduring the rocking of the boat.
Suddenly, an announcement comes: “There’s a whale at 2 o’clock!” We all shift in that direction and catch sight of the whale multiple times. By the way, onboard, directions are given based on clock positions—straight ahead is 12 o’clock, right is 3 o’clock, and so on. Each time a whale is spotted, the captain announces the direction, allowing us to view them multiple times.
One thing to note is the rocking after the engine stops! It rocks quite a bit, so you must firmly brace yourself with both feet. It honestly rocks so much that it feels like the boat might tip over (no kidding!).
The timing of the whales’ breaths varies depending on their species and activity level, and it can sometimes take over 10 minutes. Because of this, it was quite challenging to capture photos at just the right moment. But when a whale suddenly surfaced to take a breath, everyone cheered together, and it created a wonderful sense of unity—it was so much fun!
Encounter with the Dolphins
While waiting for the whales, an astonishing number of wild dolphins came to the cruise ship, which was such a delight! Watching the pods of dolphins swim up close was truly moving!
After the Whale Watching
After finishing our whale watching, we headed back to the harbor. We spent about an hour observing, but holding on against the intense rocking when the engine was off left me quite tired (haha). On the way back, we passed by U.S. Navy ships and enjoyed sights unique to San Diego. We could clearly see the Coronado Bridge as we approached the harbor, and the downtown San Diego skyline felt nostalgic! Seeing both whales and so many dolphins was a wonderfully fulfilling day! The types of whales you can see vary by season, so I’d love to go again.
＊Bonus: Types of Whales You Can See
From winter to spring (December to April) is Gray Whale season. This is when they migrate from Alaska to the warm waters of Baja California, Mexico, to give birth and raise their young, providing a great opportunity to see them as they pass through San Diego Bay!
From summer to fall (June to September) is Blue Whale season, as they migrate to the California coast in search of the plentiful food there. During other times of the year, you can also encounter Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, and Minke Whales, among others, making it exciting to see different types of whales each season.
Flagship Whale Watching Tour
＊For tour details, please click here. You can book a Whale Watching Tour through the Viator website.
Parking & USS Midway Museum
910 N. Harbor Drive
San Diego, CA 92101
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