San Diego

Private Family Whale & Dolphin Adventure in San Diego

Badge of ExcellenceSan Diego, USA

Private Family Whale and Dolphin Adventures

3 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Get the best chance of seeing whales and dolphins on a private boat tour. Your party will have the run of the boat, including an enclosed cabin, an observation tower, and a restroom. Your experienced USCG-certified captain knows the best places to spot wildlife and will provide engaging commentary on the local marine ecosystem.

Private tour for your family or group only
Enclosed cabin for protection from the elements
Captain devoted to your party
Guided commentary on the local wildlife and ecosystem

What's Included

Safety Equipment
Bottled water

**4 Passenger Min for a "Private Charter" (4 tickets must be purchased or the $ equivalent)
Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Tailwalker Whale & Dolphin Adventures
1441 Quivira Rd, San Diego, CA 92109, USA
You have a "VIP/Private boat just for your Family/Group". We will personally meet you at "The Market" Cafe located directly behind the Hyatt Mission Bay. (In front of the Commercial Docks)

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Tonya_D

The captain is amazing. He is so knowledgeable about the area and sea life. It is truly an amazing experience. You feel like you are one with the dolphin pod. Thank you Captain Rich.

Reviews

4.5

86 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 86 reviews

Huge disappointment

Gina_W, Mar 2024

This was an incredibly disappointing experience after having read so many reviews about marine life sightings. The water was extremely choppy and 2 of us were sea sick. The long ride off shore felt interminable and all for nothing. We had a brief glimpse of 2 dolphins in over 2 hours of scanning rough, white caps. Saw nothing else. The captain eventually turned back to shore and sped all the way back (which was a relief to get off the boat). We were freezing, sick and bored. Super disappointing since we flew out from Texas for this excursion.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Unfortunately, Winter/Spring can have a few rough days. We always try to do our best even when mother nature doesn't cooperate. If you are prone to sea sickness it's always best to ask us ahead of time what the conditions are like. We would have be more then happy to work with you to move you to another day.

My wife stated, "This is...

Thomas_P, Feb 2024

My wife stated, "This is the greatest day of my life!". That sums up the trip we had with Captain Rick and TailWalker tours. We saw hundreds of dolphins and 6 incredible humpback whales. He put us right in the pod with them! We will be back with the kids soon!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Thomas!! So much fun to have you guys aboard with us!! Wanted to thank you personally for the excellent review!! Hope to see you all out with us again soon! -Capt Rich

So much better than Sea World!

Michelle_C, Jan 2024

We loved seeing a juvenile grey whale and it was so exciting! It was great sitting up high looking for marine life. We had a great time!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Michelle! So glad you enjoyed our tower seats!! Thanks so much for 5 star review! Hope to see you all this summer for the Blue Whale Season! -Capt Rich

Worth every penny thank you

TERRY_F, Nov 2023

We seen a hump back whale several times. He was a juvenile absolutely beautiful I would recommend this to anyone the best money we spent so far on our vacation absolutely beautiful thank you.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Terry!! So glad we were able to make your "Vacation absolutely beautiful"!! Thank you so much for the kind words and the 5 star review! -Capt Rich

Family

Brant_C, Sep 2023

The beautiful views our family saw, we will cherish them forever. Captain Rich was very knowledgable and went the extra mile to ensure we enjoyed our trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hey Brant! It was my pleasure to make your trip with us a memorable one that you will "Cherish". Thank you so much for the 5 star review!! -Capt Rich

Incredible! The dolphins...

Christine_S, Jul 2023

Incredible! The dolphins and the whales were breathtaking! Captain was so knowledgeable and gave us every opportunity to enjoy the marine life around us.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Thank you for the 5 star review!! So happy you had a wonderful time with us!! -Capt Rich

Great experience!

Tammy_B, Jun 2023

The experience was amazing. We were able to see blue whales. We didn’t get great pictures, but it was breathtaking.

Definitely saw whales, but be prepared! It’s a long, old, choppy ride out there!

Ramona_C, Jun 2023

We enjoyed the experience of going out to see the Fin Whales, and are happy we did this excursion. But, in the future it might be a good idea to put more information on the description. We had difficulties finding the boat as the ‘Mission Bay marina behind the Hyatt’ was huge and very crowded. We called them, and it was worked out. Also, for us non-west coasters a bit of warning on weather and how to dress would’ve been useful. We were freezing, and it’s hours long. The tour also never mentions a straight drive out for approximately 9 miles to get to the whales. It was rough, cold and caused lots of seasickness even though we took Dramamine. Overall, it was nice to see the whales, but I wouldn’t do it again as it was too cold and too far out.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

HI! Spring time can be a little bit bumpy sometimes. So glad you were able to see Fin Whales with us! These are the second largest animals on the planet! So sorry for your sea sickness. -Capt Rich

Awesome experience

Anouck_G, Jun 2023

"Best birthday present ever! My mouth hurt from smiling so much, but I just couldn't stop. This was one of those core experiences for future marine biologists!" -- Mia, age 9. Captain Rich was super helpful and knowledgeable. We saw a blue whale, two fin whales, and a bazillion dolphins!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

So Happy Mia got to see her Bithday Dolphins!! Had so much fun with you guys today!! Thank you so much for the wonderful review!!! -Capt Rich

Fun with dolphins

Amy_A, Apr 2023

Our captain, Rick, was very friendly and knowledgeable. We had a lot of fun seeing all the dolphins and sea lions. Didn’t see any whales but that’s just a hit or miss especially since it had been really windy the previous couple of days. Definitely recommend it to everyone.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Hi Amy! Yep, it's been one of those years. We normally don't have this much wind and Rain. So glad you had fun with the dolphins! Hope to see you out with us again soon! -Capt Rich

Unbelievable experience!

Olivia_P, Feb 2023

Captain Rich-the owner operator, is awesome! We saw two kinds of dolphins and watched whales breeching a few times. Captain Rich knows exactly where to go, gets close to the action, and knows the ocean. He has the secret connection!

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Hi Olivia! Thank you so much for the Excellent Review!! I had such a goood time with you guys on your Private Family Adventure!! Hope to see you all out with us again soon!! - Capt Rich

Amazing Experience!

Emily_W, Jan 2023

Captain Rich is simply amazing! From a very in depth safety brief, to ensuring all members of our party knew the correct terminology and way around the boat, to his taking the time to highlight various sights and sea life, it was the most professional experience on a boat we had experienced. Perfect for all ages, our party ranged from early 40s to 80 and everyone had a wonderful and comfortable experience. We saw gray whales, a humpback, several dolphins, and some tuna during our adventure. Truly a wonderful experience that we cannot recommend enough! 100/10! Thank you for a truly wonderful experience.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Hi Emily!!! What a great day that was!! I'm so glad we were able to bring those memories to you and your family! Thank you for the amazing review!! Can't wait to see you all out with us again soon! - Capt Rich

One with the pod. Thanks

Tonya_D, Sep 2022

The captain is amazing. He is so knowledgeable about the area and sea life. It is truly an amazing experience. You feel like you are one with the dolphin pod. Thank you Captain Rich.

Real life Sea World

Sherlyn_T, Aug 2022

Amazing experience being around and up close to soooo many dolphins! Captain Rich was very knowledgeable and friendly.

Fun for all ages! We saw...

lauramantle, Aug 2022

Fun for all ages! We saw so many dolphins and a few whales, we all had an Amazing time! 10/10 would recommend this private tour

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hi Laura! What a great day on the water with you guys! So nice to meet you all! Hope to see you out with us again soon! Thank you so much for the great review!! = Capt Rich

Great wildlife experience

Ericka_P, Aug 2022

Rich was great boat captain! We saw three whales , large pod of dolphins, sea lions, a Mola Mola fish! Perfect morning at sea.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hi Erika! So Glad your family enjoyed your Private Ocean Adventure with us! Thank you for the wonderful review! Hope to see you out with us agains soon! -Capt Rich

A perfect day with my...

Julie_R, Jul 2022

A perfect day with my family! Loved the experience! Wonderful and knowledgeable captain! Would do it again!

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hi Julie! Thank you so much for the 5 star review! Yes, looking forward to seeing you guys again soon for another Private Whale/Dolphin Adventure with us! -Capt Rich

Amazing Experience

Mary_D, Jul 2022

Captain Rich did an amazing job locating dolphins. He was very knowledgeable about our surroundings and the wildlife.

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hi Mary! So glad you enjoyed your Private Dolphin experience with us! Thank you for the amazing review! Hope to see you out with us again soon! - Capt Rich

Amazing experience! Awesome captain.

Lynda_H, Jul 2022

Captain Rich was excellent! This was our first dolphin and whale adventure. Before we left dock, he explained about the boat and made us feel comfortable and safe. We saw bottlenose dolphins, which was exactly what we were hoping for. Captain Rich was very accommodating when we wanted to spend time in the bay looking at the sea lions. He gave us lots of great info when we were searching for and seeing the wildlife. Don’t hesitate! This was an amazing experience!!

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thanks Lynda! Your great review means so much to us!! I'm so glad we were able to find those Bottlenose for your Family!! Hope to see you out with us again soon! -Capt Rich

Have you ever seen 100+ Dolphins playing????

Robert_C, Mar 2022

Awesome trip all around - Captain Rich was amazing and knowledgeable. Within about 30 minutes we were right in the middle of the largest Dolphin pod I have ever seen. Everyone on the trip was in Awe - definitely doing this again.

Response from Host, Mar 2022

Hi Robert! So glad you enjoyed your Private Family Adventure with us!! Thank you for the great review!!! -Capt Rich

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