Adventure Whale Watching


San Diego is well known for its Gray Whale watching as these magnificent creatures pass by San Diego on their annual migration to the warmer waters of the Baja Peninsula, Mexico, and then again on their return North to their summer feeding grounds. Join San Diego's only year-round whale and dolphin-watching boat charter company and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime on board a fun, fast RIB boat. The R.I.B offers an intimate on-the-water experience and its low profile allows you to get up close and personal with the marine life.

Adventure Whale Watching's highly experienced U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain will draw on his vast knowledge and experience to find the best vantage for whale watching. The Captain will also serve as on board naturalist, relaying a wealth of information about marine life and natural environment.

For dolphin lovers, we encounter large herds of dolphins at times numbering in the hundreds throughout the year. Pacific White-sided and Bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen offshore, feeding on an abundance of bait fish. The extremely playful dolphins come right up to the R.I.B., and love to ride our bow wave and stern wake.

Enjoy a fast, fun, and unforgettable tour of San Diego Bay and learn about the area's rich naval and maritime heritage from our knowledgeable U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain. You will see all the great naval and historical sights that San Diego has to offer from the Navy SEAL Amphibious Base at Coronado Island to the old and new Point Loma Lighthouses at the entrance to San Diego Bay.

  • See the Submarine Base along with much of the Navy?s Pacific Fleet
  • See the Old & New Point Loma Lighthouses
  • Ride the waves past Pt. Loma into the Pacific Ocean
  • Catch a glimpse of some of the remaining coastal defense systems put in place along Pt. Loma during WWII
  • Experience the U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier from the water as you cruise underneath the Flight Deck of this historic behemoth
  • Get up close to Sea Lions
  • Cruise along the Embarcadero and view the incredible collection of historic ships at the San Diego Maritime Museum
  • Watch the Navy's trained dolphins at work
  • Venture under the magnificent Coronado Bridge to the Naval Amphibious Base, where the Navy SEALS train

There are few places where you can see so many amazing sights in such a short period of time. San Diego Bay is the U.S. Navy's biggest West Coast port and is the homeport to three active nuclear aircraft carriers. This exciting and informative tour is great for all ages.

Ocean Excursion to the Marine Sanctuary at La Jolla

This excursion takes you farther North along the coast to La Jolla, San Diego's jewel on the sea. La Jolla is famous for its spectacular rocky coastline and there is no better vantage to appreciate its beauty than from the ocean. This is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in Southern California, and is dotted with coves and sea caves. Along the way, you will see:

  • Cruise along the beautiful and popular 2-mile stretch of Mission Beach and see the wooden roller coaster at Belmont Park
  • Pass by the Crystal Pier and the beach community of Pacific Beach
  • Enjoy the rocky beaches of Wind and Sea and Bird Rock
  • Wind your way through kelp forests and look for harbor seals who make their home along the world-famous La Jolla Coastline
  • See the sea caves near La Jolla shores
  • See the beautiful houses along the La Jolla coast

Ocean Excursion to 9-Mile Bank

On this trip, you will head West into the open ocean to reach 9 Mile Bank, which as the name implies, is an underwater plateau located about nine miles from the entrance to San Diego Bay. A popular fishing destination, this enormous bank attracts not only many different varieties of fish but also various species of dolphins and whales year-round.

Adventure Picnics

Adventure on the high seas has a way of working up the appetite, so allow Adventure Whale Watching San Diego to provide lunch on board the R.I.B. or on a secluded beach for a completely unique experience. Choose from one of our Adventure Picnics below or create your own custom excursion. Arrangements can also be made to drop you off, pick you up, or wait while you eat, at any one of the fabulous dining spots located around San Diego or Mission Bay.

Adventure RIB Rides has a lot to offer adventurers and can design an exciting day of adventure beyond what is covered on this page. All you have to do is ask and show up! Booking a charter with Adventure Whale Watching is easy. Simply click on the button on the right side of the page and request a charter. A representative of the Adventure RIB Rides will contact you as soon as possible to discuss your adventure.

Experience a fun, fast, and thrilling ride on board an authentic Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.).

The low profile of the Adventure Whale Watching R.I.B. provides an intimate on-the-water experience, allowing you to get up close and personal to the marine environment and historical sights in and around San Diego Bay.

We guarantee you will have a great time and get off the R.I.B. feeling exhilarated!

Adventure Whale Watching Packages & Prices Maximum 6-10 Guests per boat

The charters featured below are a standard sampling of packages to give you an idea as to what is available. Adventure Whale Watching's coordinators and captains are very flexible and can customize a package for your event or occasion based on your needs. Custom excursions are available and remote pick up and drop off can be arranged. Adventure Whale Watching charters can carry up to 6-12 passengers, or up to 18 passengers between two boats.

2.5 - 3 Hour Dolphin & Whale Watching Excursions

  • Private: $660 - $1095 (6 - 10 people)
  • Public: $98 - $109 per person

You will board the Adventure Rigid Inflatable Boats at the Harbor Island Sheraton Hotel & Marina and be whisked away on an exciting adventure off the coast of San Diego where a variety of dolphins and whales migrate and greet our passengers for the show of a lifetime!

2 Hour Harbor Tours

  • Private: $440 up to 6 people
    $1095 up to 10 people

You will board the boat at the Harbor Island Sheraton Hotel & Marina and be taken out to San Diego Harbor to see all the sights and points of interest including sea lions, Coronado Bridge, the Midway aircraft carrier, etc.

Custom Private Charters

  • $220/hour up to 6 people
  • $365/hour up to 10 people

You can board the boat at the Sheraton Hotel & Marina and be taken to a variety of public restaurant docks around San Diego Bay, or a number of locations all around San Diego's miles and miles of beaches - the choice is yours!

Due to the adventurous nature of our charters, we do not recommend them for pregnant women, persons with back, neck, or heart problems, or children under 5 years of age.


Video Tour Coming Soon



Adventures and Occasions for an Adventure Whale Watching R.I.B. Charter

  • Dolphin & Whale Watching
  • Wildlife Seafari
  • Birthdays
  • Film & TV Production
  • Photography Shoot Location
  • Sunset Cruises
  • Adventure Picnics
  • Ocean Excursions
  • Bayside Events

Experience San Diego Bay

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