Go whale watching from San Diego aboard a replica of a historic sailing schooner that won the world’s first America’s Cup sailing competition in 1851. Throughout your cruise, your expert guide shares informative commentary about gray whales, dolphins, and other marine animals, along with details about the US Navy sites you pass as you head out on the Pacific Ocean.

Cruise on the sailing ship America from San Diego
Spot migrating whales and dolphins frolicking in the Pacific Ocean
Choose the only whale-watching cruise by sailing yacht in San Diego
Includes whale sighting and 'no seasickness' guarantee

What's Included

4.5-hr sailing cruise
Sodas and snacks
Whale sighting guarantee: If you don't see a whale, you get to come back for free
No seasickness' guarantee: Lose your lunch, we get you a new one
9:00 AM trip: Check in between 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
11:00 AM trip: Check-in starts at 10:00 AM and ends at 10:30 AM
1:15 PM trip: Check in between 12:30 - 12:45
2:00 PM Trip: Check in between 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Free Parking. Check-in located next to parking lot.
Bring layers, blankets, and jackets. It can be cold on the water!

Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Next Level Sailing - San Diego Whale Watching & Corporate/Private Charters
2050 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106, USA
Check in opens an hour before departure time and closes 30 minutes before departure. Check in flag located across the street from the Best Western Island Palms Hotel and Blue Wave Bar & Grill. Please look at Inclusions/Exclusions for specific check in times. Abundant free parking at our location!

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Travel back in time when sailing on the America, a replica of the sailing ship that won the first America's Cup sailing competition in 1851. Your classic sailing vessel provides a smooth ride and spacious decks, perfect for sailing on the Pacific Ocean in search of gray whales and other marine life. Since your boat principally moves under wind power without using the engine, your captain can get closer to the marine animals without scaring them. The boat's deep keel provides excellent stability and large decks offer unobstructed views, making the America a prime vessel for whale-watching.

Snacks and drinks (non-alcoholic) are offered during the cruise. You are welcome to bring along a picnic lunch or your favorite bottle of wine to enjoy onboard.

Whale sightings are guaranteed on your cruise. If no whales are sighted, you can return for a complimentary whale watching cruise on another day in the same season. The America also provides a 'No Seasickness' guarantee.

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
Please call if you have a wheelchair so we can discuss the boarding options as we have had guests with wheelchairs enjoy this experience. We do have 5 steps in order to board the vessel. There is a single step in the deck. Please call Thank you!
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 77 travelers

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

Deion_L

I like the crews. Friendly and very knowledgeable. Cruising alone the coast was a very memorable experience.

Reviews

5.0

1,812 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 1,812 reviews

Amazing sites

Terry_V, Apr 2024

Encounter with a fin whale for about 30 minutes. Saw lots of dolphins and pelicans too. The Crew was very experienced. The captain did a good job of following the whale.

Whale watching

Mary_O, Apr 2024

This event was a highlight to my visit to San Diego. Great time and got to see a fin whale. Highly recommend this trip.

Authentic and exciting

Mary_L, Apr 2024

The crew and atmosphere were amazing. It was a rather cool day and they made sure to offer blankets and keep everyone as comfortable as possible. They were informative about the area and sea life. Loved this experience.

Whales!

Joseph_S, Apr 2024

great time and terrific experience, we saw two grey whales. The crew was great and friendly. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Bang for your buck!

Ana_A, Apr 2024

Absolutely fantastic from the Captain, his crew to the trip! This was truly a bucket list item ticket off! The boat is AMAZING and we were offered complimentary soft drinks and snacks. Captain spotted a whale towards the ending of our journey and rather than turn back he went on a search of this huge whale and its calf. We truly got more than we bargained for and value for money!!!! Highly recommended!!!

Choppy but successful!

Amy_C, Apr 2024

The sea conditions were exactly as explained by the knowledgeable and empathetic crew. We were able to locate a couple of whales and stayed to take pics and video for as long as possible. They even stayed out for another attempt to locate wildlife. Really recommended!!

Amazing Experience!

Xavier_G, Apr 2024

My family and I had an amazing time on our trip today. We saw several humpback whales and even one that breached that water! The Captain and crew were very polite, helpful, and knowledgeable. I would definitely go back and highly recommend them for a whale watching tour.

The ship was worth the experience!

Tom_C, Apr 2024

The Schooner America and staff was amazing and we saw some whales, sea lions and alot of Dolphins. Truly a fantastic memory!

The boat ride itself was...

Madeline_H, Mar 2024

The boat ride itself was very cool and it was amazing to see some dolphins in the water! This is a long tour (4.5 hours), so be mindful of that when booking. We didn’t see any whales, which was disappointing. The crew was great and provided lots of snacks, water, and blankets for the guests.

Excellent way to spend the morning.

Mary_M, Mar 2024

Our guide, Frankie, was awesome! He is so knowledgeable about the fauna and flora. It was a great tour and learning experience.

Great crew

Judith_M, Mar 2024

The crew was great! Lawan and Connor were great communicators. Rachel is learning. We were surprised that our fourth crew member had been doing this less than a year. She was very knowledgeable, helpful and confident. The sail was great, the weather perfect, unfortunately the whales were shy. We’ll have to come back next year to take advantage of our guarantee 😊

Gray whales and dolphins!

Richard_G, Mar 2024

Outstanding voyage! Captain and crew were the best part. We were able not only see a few Gray Whales and 3 big pods of dolphins, we learned about them too. The Captain and his first mate were highly knowledgeable of the entire bay and ocean environment from sea life, land features and even the military installations. We will be back next year.

The energy and vibe was awesome

Yava_B, Mar 2024

Omg! Captain Tony and the crew was awesome! We didn’t get to see any whales but the customer service was top tier. Very knowledgeable about the area and surroundings. I’m real big on helping the youth learn because I am an educator..to see him hire and teach these young men and women of different nationalities how to sail really was a plus! I will be back!

A San Diego Must

Patrick_M, Mar 2024

Great experience. Very kind and considerate experienced crew. Very cool to see whales on a classic sailing ship.

Beautiful day

Kathryn_K, Mar 2024

The sailboat was very cool. The staff was knowledgeable. The weather incredible. The ocean calm. They offered free sodas and water and snacks. You could purchase beer and wine. We did see a few dolphins and sea lions. Whales are unpredictable!

The crew was so nice and...

kmandrews86, Mar 2024

The crew was so nice and accommodating, they really made the experience special. Being on the beautiful American sail boat was the cherry on the top!

Awesome experience

Seth_M, Mar 2024

Excellent crew! They took care of people at every step, we didn’t get the chance to see whales but they guaranteed a free ride the next time because of it. A few people got sick because of the motion but they helped them through it like professionals. Couldn’t recommend enough.

Would highly recommend!

Brooke_P, Mar 2024

We loved this experience. The boat was amazing. The crew really helped everyone out if they were sea sick. We saw a whale! Would definitely recommend.

Great experience!

Sarah_R, Mar 2024

Had a great time on the trip with my boyfriend! Saw lots of gray whales. However, the restroom on the ship kept getting broken and there wasn’t great seating for the amount of people that were on the ship

Seeing the gray whales...

Travis_G, Mar 2024

Seeing the gray whales was the best! And seeing the Navy trained Dolphins was also excellent. Captain and crew do a great job!

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