SAN DIEGO WHALE WATCHING
If you are looking for the best whale-watching experience in San Diego you are in the right place, our expert captains and naturalists will go the extra mile to find whales and dolphins on a thrilling eco-conscious adventure.
Depending on the season you'll have the opportunity to encounter Gray Whales, Humpbacks, Multiple species of Dolphins, and Blue whales, and if luck is on our side, we might even encounter some of the more exotic whale species such as Orcas and Minke Whales.
Join us on our whale watch private charters departing daily from beautiful Mission Bay In San Diego, aboard our expedition Zodiac boats.
DETAILS
FAQ'S
Duration:
2.5 - 3 hours.
Departures:
Our daily trips depart at 9:00 Am, 12:00Pm and 3:00PM
Location of Departure/Return:
Mission Bay, San Diego California.
Public Charter Cost:
Starts at $99*
Private Charter Cost:
Starts at $439*
*Private Charter Base Rate includes Four Passengers.
*Public Charters need a minimum of three guests to run.
You can book a third ticket to reach the minimum threshold.
*Please let us know if your group is larger than six people.
*Please let us know if you'd prefer a longer trip duration.
* Ticket Price doesn't include taxes and booking fees
Gratuities:
Gratuities are a great way of saying thanks to our hardworking crew.
Capacity:
6 Guests
Which is the best month to go Whale Watching in San Diego?
There’s no specific 'whale season' in San Diego as there are opportunities to watch whales year-round.
Spring: Spring offers the opportunity to watch Humpbacks, grey whales, fin whales, and Blue whales in May!
Summer: Summer brings the largest creature on the planet to feed on the nutrient-rich waters of offshore San Diego, the magnificent blue whale.
Autumn: Autumn is prime time for humpback whales and if very lucky Eastern Tropical Orcas can be seen as well.
Winter: This is the peak of the Gray whale season; we typically find them close to shore in their annual migration.
Year-Round: With a large local population of dolphins the San Diego offshore area offers the opportunity to encounter dolphins in most of our expeditions, although less common, fin and minke whales can also be found year-round.
How many species of whales can be seen in San Diego?
Up to fourteen different cetacean species can be seen in the biodiverse waters of the San Diego area.
Gray Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Pacific White-sided dolphins, Risso’s dolphin, Orca (Killer Whale), False Killer Whale, Common Dolphin, Pilot Whale, Bryde’s Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, Sperm Whales.
Will I get seasick?
Our low-profile RIB Zodiac offers less rocking than large vessels which reduces rocking motion and the possibility of getting seasick. However, if you are prone to seasickness we recommend you take sea sickness medicine one night before your expedition, have a light breakfast/ meal, and take another dose before boarding our boat.
What is the minimum age required for this expedition?
4 years and up, If 18 years or younger, you must be accompanied by a legal guardian.
*Please let us know if you have children younger than 4 years as we might be able to accommodate for a custom private charter.
As Seen On
CLIENT REVIEWS
We took the whole family on a whale watching trip with NetZero Expeditions and it did not disappoint! The boat is excellent for small groups and allows you to see the animals up close. We saw blue whales, dolphins, and sea lions! 10/10 will definitely book them again the next time we visit San Diego.
Our Blue Whale Expedition with NetZero has been by far the best experience in San Diego! My daughter and I joined Manolo and Scott on the low-profile Zodiac which was so much fun and allowed us to be closer to the water. We saw a pod of dolphins and sea birds feeding on a bait ball. I tried to keep my expectations in check, but was amazed and speechless when we spotted a blue whale mother and calf!! It was an amazing morning and I can not thank Manolo and Scott enough for the experience! I would highly recommend NetZero for any of their expeditions, especially if you value a knowledgeable and respectful guide!!
Net Zero Expeditions is my absolute favorite whale-watching tour company in San Diego. I have gone out with them multiple times and every time it's an unforgettable adventure. The captain (who is also a professional wildlife filmmaker) is very knowledgeable and passionate about what he does and he always treats the ocean with respect, which is very important.