Private day sail San Diego: Helm the boat under Coronado Bridge

Steer the sailboat yourself, or watch the bay unfold from the deck

A private day sail in San Diego Bay for up to 12 guests, where you choose between sea lions at Point Loma or downtown landmarks: USS Midway, Seaport Village, and a passage under the Coronado Bridge. You can take the helm and lean the vessel with the captain's guidance, or sit back while stronger bay winds fill the sails. Lifejackets, snacks, drinks, warm blankets and a captain are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private day sail around San Diego

• Meet captain and get lifejackets
• Sail out from starting point
• Choose to visit sea lions at Point Loma or Downtown San Diego
• If Downtown, sail past USS Midway Museum
• Sail along Seaport Village and see landmarks
• Sail under Coronado Bridge
• Return sailing past Coronado Bridge and Navy ships

The experience

You start at the marina, meet your captain (you can request one in advance), put on a lifejacket and sign the paperwork. Then you sail out into San Diego Bay. The choice is yours: head to Point Loma to watch sea lions, or go downtown to see the USS Midway from the water, Seaport Village with its sculptures and shoreline, and the Coronado Bridge from directly underneath. The bay usually has stronger winds than sheltered waters, so the sails open fully and the boat moves.

If you want to steer, the captain walks you through it. You take the helm and lean the vessel while they guide you. If you'd rather stay a passenger, that works too. Either way, you'll pass Navy ships heading in and out, see families on the shore, and end with the Coronado Bridge overhead, a view most people never get from a boat. The whole sail runs two and a half hours.

Snacks, drinks and warm windproof blankets come aboard. There's a bathroom onboard as well. Infants sit on an adult's lap, and specialized infant seats are available if you need one. Public transportation reaches the marina, and parking costs $16 for the duration of the sail.

What’s included

Sailboat rental, captain fee, lifejackets, snacks (cookies and chips), drinks (coconut water, juice boxes, flavored sparkling water and water), warm windproof blankets, onboard bathroom access.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 13:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (1 to 12 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Sea Monkey Adventures

Is this one for you?You steer the boat yourself with the captain's guidance, so pick this if you want hands-on sailing rather than watching from the deck. A private boat for up to 12 means your group stays together without strangers, and the two-and-a-half-hour length fits a half-day in San Diego without eating your whole afternoon.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 12 years).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I actually steer the sailboat myself, or is that just for show?

You can take the helm and lean the vessel with the captain's help. They teach you how and stay with you the whole time. It's not a demonstration. You're doing it.

What's the difference between the Point Loma route and the downtown route?

Point Loma takes you out to watch sea lions in their habitat. Downtown shows you the USS Midway Museum from the water, Seaport Village with its sculptures, and ends with a passage under the Coronado Bridge. You pick which one suits your group when you book.

What happens if the wind is too light to sail?

The bay usually has stronger winds than sheltered areas, which is why this sail opens the sails fully. The operator's description assumes normal bay conditions. If conditions change, the captain adjusts the day.

Is there food and water on the boat?

Yes. You get a variety of cookies and chips, coconut water, juice boxes, flavored sparkling water and water. Warm windproof blankets are also provided.