arrow-down arrow-left arrow-right arrow-up play-button plus tab-indicator dots close menu search facebook google-plus instagram pinterest rss twitter tiktok youtube rss-two heart Check FeaturedBadge linkedin minus apps placeholder linkedin

Getting Around San Diego On the Water

Water-Centric Ways to Soak in the Sights

San Diego's location on the Pacific Ocean and it's picturesque natural harbor allows for fun ways to explore the region via the water. A ferry will take you across the bay to Coronado, a harbor cruise will tour the sights within San Diego Bay, or venture farther out aboard a whale watching, sportfishing or charter boat.

Coronado Ferry

The Coronado Ferry, owned and operated by Flagship Cruises & Events, runs regularly across San Diego Bay, between the Broadway Pier and the Convention Center in downtown San Diego and the Coronado Ferry Landing. A 15-minute ride one way, the ferry provides gorgeous views of the downtown skyline and the Coronado Bridge. Purchase tickets online or at any of the departure locations.

Whale Watching

During winter and summer, witness the long annual migration of 10,000+ grey and blue whales along the coast between Mexico and Alaska aboard a daily whale watching trip, most of which include a naturalist to help identify whales, dolphins, seals and other wildlife.

> Book a Whale Watching Trip

Sportfishing

Take to the coastal waters of San Diego for a half-day, full-day or multi-day sportfishing excursion. Named one of the best sportfishing cities in America, San Diego's catch can include yellowtail, white sea bass, bonito, tuna, rockfish, sheephead, sculpin, and barracuda among others depending upon the time of year.

> Go Sportfishing in San Diego

San Diego Bay Tours

Experiencing San Diego from the water an absolute must.

For a slower-paced aquatic adventure, book passage on any number of harbor excursions, dinner cruises, tall ship sailing outings or private yachts adventures. All provide a water-level view at San Diego's skyline, sealife and bayfront landmarks.

Or pick up the pace aboard a speedboat, high-performance catamaran, rigid inflatable boat or even the Stars & Stripes USA-11, the same yacht raced by Dennis Conner during the 1992 America's Cup. Some offer the opportunity to navigate and captain the boat, plus friendly guides packed with interesting and entertaining San Diego lore.

> Embark on 7 Spectacular Water Tours

Charter Boats

Chart your own course on the water with a sailboat, speedboat or fishing boat charter, with or without a captain. Be it a romantic sunset sail along the San Diego skyline or a private sportfishing trip with friends and family, a day on the water is a fun and memorable way to enjoy San Diego.

> Find the perfect charter boat

Find a place to stay

Book online or call 1-800-350-6205 to speak with a local expert

Related Articles and Features

Deals just for you

Accommodation

Beach & Breakfast

Paradise Point
Valid: May 15 - ongoing

Rise and Dine in America’s Finest City. Stay in any of our guestrooms, bungalows or San Diego hotel suites and start your day with a delicious breakfast. Whether you are craving traditional fare...

Camping & RV Parks

Spring into Sunland

San Diego RV Resort
Valid: Mar 19, 2024 - ongoing

This spring, unlock the secret to the ultimate California experience with our exclusive "Spring into Sunland" sale and get 15% off! Spring is the optimal time to bask in the beauty of Southern...

Accommodation

Stay 5 Save 25%

Surfer Beach Hotel
Valid: Jan 22 - ongoing

Stay longer, save bigger. Non-refundable reservation. 

Events to check out

Event

Farmers Insurance Open

Farmers Insurance Open
Jan 22 - Jan 25, 2025

The PGA TOUR’s Farmers Insurance Open is played annually at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, home of the 2008 & 2021 U.S. Open. Mark your calendars now, because one of San...

Event

San Diego International Auto Show

Dec 28, 2024 - Jan 1, 2025

Where the cars are the stars! The San Diego International Auto Show features the widest variety of new vehicles under one roof.

Event

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

The Old Globe
Nov 6 - Dec 31, 2024

Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for another incredible year, the family favorite features the songs...

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

Sign Up

Partners

Explore

Plan

Stay

Follow Us

Language:

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

China
Germany
Great Britain
Japan
Mexico
Korea
Switzerland
Brazil
France
Australia
Canada
USA

Or use Google Translate

Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic
Belarusian
Bulgarian
Croatian
Danish
Deutsch
Español
Estonian
Filipino
Finnish
Francais
Georgian
Greek
Haitian-Creole
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Icelandic
Indonesian
Irish
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Nederlands
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Swedish
Telugu
Thai
Turkish
Ukranian
Vietnamese
Yiddish