Whale Watching Cruise Excursions Begin on the Port of San Diego’s Waterfront

Family and friends are invited to climb aboard for the winter whale-watching season on The Big Bay.  As the winter season draws near, the California gray whale begins its migration to the south past San Diego to Mexico.  Their annual journey takes them from the Bering Sea, past the San Diego coast, to the warm waters off Baja California, Sonora and Sinoloa, Mexico. The longest migration route of any mammal, the gray whales travel nearly 13,000 miles roundtrip each year.

Several Big Bay sport fishing and harbor excursion businesses are offering morning and afternoon cruises to view the majestic mammals.  Along with the California gray whales, cruise participants have also viewed other mammals such as dolphins, sea lions humpback whales, killer whales and orcas.  The first four businesses provide whale-watching cruise excursions aboard motor-powered cruise vessels:

Hornblower Cruises & Events

• Where: 970 N. Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101 (map).
• When: Tickets can be purchased from Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012 through mid-April 2013. Cruise excursions will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Cost: Tickets cost $37 for adults, $35 for seniors and members of the military and $18.50 for children ages 4-12.
• For more information on the whale-watching excursions or to purchase tickets, visit hornblower.com or call 619-686-8715.

San Diego H&M Landing

• Where: 2803 Emerson Street San Diego, CA 92106 (map).
• When: Tickets can be purchased from December 2012 through March 2013. Cruise excursions will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cost: Weekend tickets cost $45 for adults, $37 for seniors and military and $20 for children 12 and under. Weekday tickets cost $37 for adults, $32 for seniors and military and $18.50 for children 12 and under.     
• For more information on the whale-watching excursions or to purchase tickets, visit hmlanding.com or call   619-222-1144. 

Fisherman’s Landing

• Where: 2838 Garrison Street San Diego, CA 92106 (map).
• When: Tickets can be purchased from Dec. 18, 2012 through early spring 2013. There are two 3-hour cruise excursions from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: Tickets cost $42 for adults and $32 for juniors and seniors.
• For more information on the whale-watching excursions or to purchase tickets, visit fishermanslanding.com or call 619-221-8500.

Flagship Cruises & Events

• Where: 990 North Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101 (map).
• When: Tickets can be purchased from Dec. 26, 2012 through April 14, 2013. Cruise excursions will take place from 9:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Cost: Weekend tickets cost $42 for adults, $37 for seniors and military, and $21 for children 12 and under. Weekday tickets cost $37 for adults, $32 for seniors and military and $18.50 for children 12 and under.     
• For more information on the whale-watching excursions or to purchase tickets, visit flagshipsd.com or call   619-234-4111.

The following three businesses provide whale-watching excursions aboard non-motor sailing vessels:

Next Level Sailing (A partner with the Maritime Museum of San Diego)

• Where: 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92101 (map).
• When: Tickets can be purchased from Dec. 15, 2012 through April 14, 2013.
• Cost: Weekend tickets cost $85 for adults and $44 for children 12 and under. Weekday tickets cost $65 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under.
• For more information on the whale-watching excursions or to purchase tickets, visit nextlevelsailing.com or call 1-800-644-3454.

Fun Cat Sailing San Diego

• Where: Sunroad Marina, 955 Harbor Island Drive Gate A-D San Diego, CA 92101 (map).
• When: Reservations can be made from Dec. 16, 2012 through April 1, 2013. Cruise excursions take place from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.
• Cost: Reservations cost $75 per person.
• For more information on the whale-watching excursions or to make a reservation, visit sailfuncat.com or call 619-866-7245

Sail San Diego

• Where: Best Western Island Palms Hotel & Shelter Island Marina, 2051 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA 92106
• When: Reservations can be made from Dec. 26, 2012 through April 1, 2013. There are two 3 ½ hour daily cruise excursions that vary.
• Cost: Reservations cost $85 per person.
• For more information on the whale-watching excursions or to make a reservation, visit sailsandiego.com or call 619-297-7426

All participants are encouraged to arrive 15-20 minutes before vessel departure.

San Diego Bay has 34 miles of scenic waterfront that includes restaurants, shops, hotels, attractions, parks and marinas in seven distinct areas. Each lends unique ingredients to the overall flavor and character of the waterfront on The Big Bay. Whether you spend an entire day exploring all seven areas or enjoy each one individually, there is something for every taste and budget.