
Blue Whale Coming up for Air
Since San Diego is one of the best places for whale watching in the world, here are some tips to help you make the most of your whale watching experience.
Choose a Tour Led by an Expert
When choosing a whale watching cruise, look for options that are Coast Guard certified and are run by marine biologists or another type of marine expert. These tours will provide the most detailed and interesting information about the area wildlife.
Locating Whales
Before booking a tour, find out how the tour company locates their whales. They should use a whale sighting network to increase your chances of seeing a whale, dolphins, or other exciting wildlife on the tour.
Trips without Seeing Whales
While there is a high chance of seeing a whale in San Diego, find out how the company handles trips without any whale sightings. In many cases, they will reimburse you for a future tour if you don’t see a whale.
Weather and What to Wear
Temperatures out on the water are typically much cooler than they are on land, and there’s also a chance that you could get wet during your tour. Make sure to wear a waterproof jacket and closed-toed shoes. In the winter, you’ll want to wear long pants and gloves.
Although the temperatures might be cooler, the weather can still be very sunny in San Diego. Make sure you wear sunscreen on any exposed part of your body, and bring sunglasses or a hat.
Bring Water and Snacks
Whale watching tours can be several hours long. Some tour operators provide food on board, but many don’t. Bring a snack and a bottle of water along just in case.
Views of the San Diego Skyline & More
In addition to whale sightings, these whale watching tours also offer some of the best views of the San Diego skyline and the area’s notoriously stunning sunsets. Make sure to turn around and snap a pic of these incredible views.