Trade the tour boat crowds for real sails on this whale watching adventure aboard the Yacht America, a 139-foot racing yacht that heads out from Shelter Island once a day, every day of the year. Whale season never really ends in San Diego: gray whales pass through from mid-December to April, humpbacks arrive in March, fin whales show up in late April, and blue whales, the largest animals on the planet, cruise these waters from May through summer. Pods of dolphins and lounging sea lions are regular guests too, and the occasional orca makes an appearance in the fall.

The crew keeps things relaxed and informative, pointing out wildlife and sharing local knowledge as the yacht sails. Complimentary water, soda, chips, and granola bars are on board, and guests are welcome to bring their own lunch and drinks (just leave the red wine at home). A sightings guarantee means that if no whales or dolphins appear, guests can return for free on a future trip, and a no seasickness guarantee comes with a $25 gift certificate from the provider for anyone who does feel queasy.

Any restrictions to participate?

• Age: All age groups are welcome.
• Physical limitations: Guests need to be able to walk along a wooden dock to board the yacht.

Who can you accommodate for?

• Children: All participants must pay to participate, children included.
• Pets: Sorry, no pets allowed.

What to expect on the day of the experience?

• Duration: 3.5 to 4 hours. The yacht departs by 11:00 AM and returns by 3:00 PM.
• What's included: Whale watching sail aboard the Yacht America, crew narration, and complimentary water, soda, chips, and granola bars.
• Who will be present: A qualified crew will be on board at all times, and other guests will be joining (up to 77 people).
• Photo/video: Photos encouraged!
• Specific rules to follow: Smoking and vaping of any kind are not permitted on board. Red wine is not allowed.

How to prepare?

• Weather dependency: The experience runs in most weather conditions, and forecasted rain does not always mean a cancellation. If the operator cancels due to weather, guests will have the option to reschedule.
• Arrival: Check in between 10:00 AM and 10:30 AM at the blue "Check-In" flag on the grass across from the Island Palms Best Western Hotel, 2050 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106. Guests arriving after 10:30 AM will miss the boat.
• Parking: Free all-day parking is available in the lot on Shelter Island Drive, just past Silver Gate Yacht Club.
• What to wear: Dress in layers and bring a warm jacket or sweatshirt, as it can feel chilly on the water. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes; high heels are not recommended on the wooden dock.
• What to bring:
  • Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a camera. Binoculars are optional.
  • Outside food and drinks are welcome. Bring plastic cups if bringing glass bottles.
    • Red wine is not allowed on board.
  • Cash for the onboard boutique (hats, shirts, and sweatshirts from $20 to $55), as cards cannot be processed at sea.
• Restrooms/lockers/changing rooms: There is a restroom available to use during the trip. We recommend that all passengers use the dockside restrooms prior to boarding as well.

Anything else I should know before going on this experience?

• Sightings guarantee: if no whales or dolphins are spotted, guests can return for free on a future trip. These return tickets have no expiration date and are non-transferable.
• No seasickness guarantee: any guest who gets seasick receives a $25 gift certificate from the provider directly.

Unused Experience Vouchers can be returned within 14 days for a full refund to the original purchaser, no questions asked.

If you have any unused Experience Vouchers, you can exchange them for any other experience in our marketplace, free of charge, no matter when. If you choose an experience that's more expensive, you'll need to pay the difference.

No refunds are allowed once the experience is booked, but you can reschedule up to 48 hours before your experience, for a date within a year of the original booking. To reschedule, contact the experience provider directly. No-shows or rescheduling less than 48 hours in advance means losing the value of your experience.