Private Sailing Charter San Diego Bay: Set Your Own Course

You decide where the yacht goes and how much you sail it

A private sailing charter on San Diego Bay pairs you with a captain and a yacht for three hours, with no fixed itinerary. You pick the sights and choose how involved you are in sailing. The bay opens up from the water in ways land-based tours can't reach: the USS Midway from offshore, the Coronado Bridge from underneath, Point Loma's cliffs, and the Maritime Museum's historic vessels anchored in the harbor. Bottled water and snacks are included. You can bring your own food and drink (no red wine). Maximum six people per booking.

Step-by-step itinerary

Private sailing tour on San Diego Bay

• See USS Midway from the bay
• View Point Loma from the water
• Watch helicopters at air base
• Sail under Coronado Bridge
• See historic vessels at Maritime Museum
• Optional drop-off at Coronado Ferry Landing
• Optional drop-off near Downtown San Diego
• View Cabrillo National Monument

The experience

What does a private charter actually mean? You and your group get the yacht and captain to yourselves for the full three hours, which means the day unfolds at your pace. The captain knows the bay and can suggest stops (the USS Midway from a vantage point most visitors never see, the Star of India and Russian submarine docked at the Maritime Museum, the takeoffs and landings at the air base near Point Loma), but you're not locked into any of them. If you want to sail straight to the Coronado Bridge and spend an hour under it, that's the itinerary. If you'd rather drift and talk, the captain adjusts.

Sailing participation is entirely up to you. Some people want to take the wheel and trim the sails. Others prefer to sit back and watch the city recede. The captain handles the vessel either way. Complimentary water and snacks keep you comfortable, or bring a picnic if you'd rather eat your own food. The captain can also drop you at public docks around the bay (the Coronado Ferry Landing or downtown's Gaslamp Quarter) if you want to extend the day on land.

What’s included

• Captain and yacht for your exclusive use.
• bottled water.
• snacks.
• the choice to sail as much or as little as you want.
• optional drop-off at public docks around the bay.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 14:30

Book up to6h before

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Lucky Sol Sailing

Is this one for you?This is a private charter, so you're not sharing the boat or the captain's attention with other groups. The three hours are yours to shape. It suits anyone who wants flexibility over a fixed itinerary, or who'd rather steer the day themselves than follow a predetermined route.

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Top questions

Can I actually help sail the boat, or do I just sit and watch?

You participate as much as you want. The captain will teach you to handle the wheel and sails if that interests you, or you can relax and let the captain manage everything. The choice is yours for the full three hours.

What's visible from the water that you can't see from shore?

The USS Midway sits in the harbor, and from the bay you see the full hull and flight deck from angles the museum tours don't offer. You also sail directly under the Coronado Bridge, pass Point Loma's cliffs at water level, and see the historic ships of the Maritime Museum (the Star of India, a Russian submarine, and a replica of the San Salvador) moored where they actually float.

Can we stop and get off somewhere, or is it just sailing the whole time?

The captain can drop you at public docks including the Coronado Ferry Landing or downtown near the Gaslamp Quarter, so you can extend your day on land if you want. Call ahead to arrange a drop-off location.

What if I want to bring my own food and drinks?

You're welcome to bring your own food and drink. The only restriction is no red wine. Bottled water and snacks are already included, so you can supplement or skip them entirely.

How many people can fit on the yacht?

The maximum is six people per booking, so small groups and families stay together without crowding.