So are you visiting San Diego and want to experience the water? I know of a great way of doing just that, but without getting seasick. May I suggest to you a San Diego Bay cruise?
I believe that there is no better way to enjoy the saltwater environment than being in it. After doing a little research, I found some exciting cruises. Take a look for yourself at the wide variety of San Diego Bay cruises that are available.
Before I begin, I should note that I will only be listing San Diego Bay cruises, not whale watching or fishing tours, as I have written about both extensively. Please refer to the two previous posts I have linked if you want more information regarding whales or fish.
Let’s now see all of the San Diego Bay cruises and which is best for you, shall we?
Table of Contents
What to See on a San Diego Bay Cruise
Before listing all of the available San Diego Bay cruises, I thought I would take the time to list a few notable spots you will encounter while on tour in both North Bay and South Bay.
If you are interested in checking out what there is to see at San Diego Bay, click here, as I have written an in-depth photo tour.
Below are a few significant locations on any of the San Diego Bay cruises.
North San Diego Bay
North San Diego Bay at Shelter Island
Maritime Museum
Star of India
Harbor Island
America’s Cup Harbor
Shelter Island
North Island Naval Air Station
California Sea Lions
Nuclear Submarine Base
Cabrillo National Monument
Point Loma Lighthouse
South San Diego Bay
South San Diego Bay view from the Embarcadero Pier
Travel under the Coronado Bay Bridge
U.S.S. Midway Aircraft Carrier
Seaport Village
Naval Destroyers and Frigates
Embarcadero Park
San Diego’s Working Waterfront, shipbuilding facilities
Naval Base San Diego
Coronado Island
Look at the Variety of San Diego Bay Cruises!
San Diego Bay is over 27 miles long and 1 to 3 miles wide. There are a lot of areas to cover. Here I would like to show you the wide variety of San Diego Bay cruises offered every day of the week.
Spirit of San Diego– 146-foot, holds up to 575 guests
Open every day from 8 am to 6:30 pm
Flagship Cruises Tours and Events was established in 1915 and are San Diego’s oldest and longest-running touring company.
Amenities–
3-levels
indoor and outdoor seating
lush carpeted interior
unobstructed 360-degree views
full bar/snack bar
V.I.P. Captain’s Salon
Wifi internet
Cruises-
1 hour North Bay Tour departing at 10 am, 12:30 pm, 3:00 pm
1 hour South Bay Tour departing at 11:15 am, 1:45 pm, 4:15 pm
2 hour Full San Diego Bay Tour departing at 10 am, 11:15 am, 12:30 pm, 1:45 pm, 3:00 pm
So it turns out the same boat is used on the North Bay and South Bay Tours, as the ship is continually circling the Bay throughout the day.
Once the North Bay Tour has ended, the ship heads back to the dock to pick up the remaining passengers who wish to go on the South Bay Tour. You will remain on board if you have purchased a ticket for the Two Hour Tour.
Rates-
1-Hour North Bay or South Bay Tour
Adults-$27,
Seniors/Military-$24.
Children (4-12)- $13.50
2-Hour Full San Diego Bay Tour
Adults- $32
Senior/Military- $29
Children (4-12)- $16
A Flagship ferry from Downtown San Diego to Coronado
Additional Offerings-
Flagship Cruises and Events have several different unique San Diego Bay cruises! If you would like additional information, please refer to their website. Here are a few that I would like to share with you!
Sunday Champagne Brunch
Beer Pairing Dinner Cruise (Fridays)
30-minute Patriot Jet Boat Rides (Sat-Sun)
San Diego Dinner Cruise (Every night)
Sunday Prime Rib Dinner Cruise
New Year’s Eve Dinner and New Year’s Day Brunch Cruises
Patriot Jet Boat Thrill Ride
Flagship Ferry-connecting Downtown San Diego and Coronado
2 hour Full San Diego Cruise departs @ 10 am, 11:15 am, 12:30 pm, 1:45 pm, 3:00 pm, 4:15 pm
Rates-
1 hour $27
2 hours- $32
Special Notes-
Very similar to Flagship, the same boat does both tours. So when the South Cruise is done, the ship will return to the dock to pick up North Cruise passengers. And yes, if you are on the Two Hour Cruise, you will stay on the boat.
Cherie Amie- A 90-foot, 1980s King’s Craft luxury liner which holds up to 140 people
Open 24 hours
Amenities-
indoor and outdoor lounges
Three levels
two outdoor decks
multi-media access
Captain and crew
Cruises-
Private Charters
Rates-
$500/ hour
Additional Offerings-
Dinner Cruise for $50/person
full bar upgrade
catering upgrade
Private Sailing Charters on San Diego Bay
Have you ever wanted to go sailing? How about cruising San Diego Bay on a sailboat? Below, I found a few fantastic San Diego Bay cruises that are on a sailboat!
A 2.5-hour San Diego Bay Cruise is offered twice a day-10 am and again at 4 pm.
The main objective of this tour is to see the California sea lions hanging out in the northern section of the Bay and concentrate on the military installations along the way. There is also a great chance of seeing dolphins in this section of the Bay.
Also, learn the history of the Bay via a tour guide onboard
Choose from classic sailing yachts with ‘lustrous wood and brass detailing.’
Amenities-
Experienced Captain and crew
Sit back and relax or help with sailing-it is up to you
First beer or wine is complimentary
Hors-d’oeuvres
Cruises-
2-Hour Signature Sailing Tour around San Diego Bay- This is a group tour with a maximum of 6 passengers. Tours leave at 10 am, 1 pm, and 4:30 pm (Sunset Cruise)
Rates-
Day Sail-$79/person
Sunset Sail- $89/person
Additional Offerings-
Private Sailing Charter for 2
Private Group Charters
Custom Private Charters
60-foot Catamaran, which holds 48 people for private charter
J.A.D.A., built-in 1938, is the only authentic classic wooden sailing yacht for charter in San Diego
Sunset Champagne Cruise– includes sparkling wine, beer, water, light snacks, and blankets. Enjoy the view and learn exciting things about San Diego Bay while you cruise into the sunset.
2.5 hours
Boarding times are seasonal, so please refer to the website for appropriate arrival times
Additional Offerings-
Private Charters
Corporate Charters
Memorials at Sea
Dinner Cruises
Weddings at Sea
Fun Cat Sailing Catamaran Adventures
Photo credit- Fun Cat Catamaran Sailing Adventures
sunscreen, blankets, jackets, binoculars, and hats for a loan are available
Cruises-
Relaxing Morning Sea Life Sailing Adventures- three hours of a harbor tour as well as the coastline-9:45- 12:45 @ $85/person
2 in 1 Catamaran/ Sea Kayak Adventures-Try their new stable Hobie peddle tandem kayaks while anchored-call for a seasonal schedule-@ $95/person
Additional Offerings-
Afternoon/Sunset Sea Life Ocean Sailing Adventure- available daily. Discover the wildlife outside of San Diego Bay while sailing on the coastline and returning at sunset-1:30 pm- 4:45 pm-@$85/person
Custom Charters are available; see the website for more information
So what do you think? Can you believe how many San Diego Bay cruises are offered? There is something for everyone from your big boat tours to mini- speed boats to large catamarans; there is something for everyone!
If you know of more companies that offer tours, please leave me a message in the comment section, as I would love a complete list.
I have always had a deep-seated passion for the Ocean Environment which ultimately led me to receive a degree in Marine Biology. Living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have extensively explored the 70 miles of San Diego’s coastline, and I am here to share! Please use my website to your advantage and have a look around at all the wonders that the beaches of San Diego can offer you!
Thanks for the great information. I used to live in Los Angeles many years ago and have always said if I could return to living in California, I would definitely look to live in San Diego! What a beautiful place, and those cruises look like a great way to check it out!
I used to live in Los Angeles also Yvette, and San Diego is so much more beautiful! Thanks for the comment!
View Comments
Thanks for the great information. I used to live in Los Angeles many years ago and have always said if I could return to living in California, I would definitely look to live in San Diego! What a beautiful place, and those cruises look like a great way to check it out!
I used to live in Los Angeles also Yvette, and San Diego is so much more beautiful! Thanks for the comment!