San Diego: Amphibious Seal Tour from Seaport Village

Summary

Roll through San Diego then splash into the bay on a narrated seal tour

You’ll roll through San Diego’s waterfront streets before splashing right into the bay on an amphibious Seal Tour with a local guide. Hear stories of sailors and spot sea lions near Quivira Basin, plus enjoy easy access from Seaport Village just minutes from your cruise ship. That first moment on the water? You’ll remember it.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s waving from the dock — turns out it’s our guide, grinning and calling us over to this bright blue “seal” bus-boat thing. I didn’t know what to expect; sitting up high, you can see the whole sweep of Harbor Drive. There’s a salty breeze even before we leave Seaport Village. Our guide starts in with stories about old sailors and Navy ships, but not in that bored way — he points out which buildings are still used by the military, and even tells us about Charles Lindbergh (I’d only ever heard his name in history class).

Then comes the weirdest part: we just drive straight off the road and suddenly there’s water slapping under us. The engine noise changes — kind of muffled — and everyone laughs a little nervously. I could smell sunscreen and seaweed at once. The guide keeps chatting about pelicans and seals (we actually saw a couple heads bobbing near Quivira Basin), but I got distracted watching a kid try to spot SeaWorld across Mission Bay. Sunlight off the water made me squint so hard my eyes watered.

I liked that you’re not stuck inside — you can lean out for photos or just watch people fishing along Hospitality Point. On the way back, we passed old ships at the Maritime Museum, and someone shouted when they spotted their cruise ship docked nearby. It felt like such a quick loop but there was a lot packed in — history bits, silly jokes from our guide, that odd thrill when tires hit water for real. Still think about that first splash sometimes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — San Diego Seal Amphibious Tour

• Depart from Seaport Village
• Drive along San Diego Bay waterfront
• Hear stories of early sailors and bay history
• Learn about San Diego military importance
• Pass San Diego International Airport
• Splash into San Diego Bay
• Travel through the Bay by water
• Spot California brown pelicans
• Cruise through Mission Bay
• View SeaWorld, Hospitality Point, Vacation Isle
• See seals and sea lions at Quivira Basin
• Return to land via Harbor Drive
• Pass Maritime Museum and cruise ship terminal
• Return to starting point

Top questions

How long is the San Diego Seal Tour?

The tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Where does the Seal Tour depart from?

The tour departs from Seaport Village on Harbor Drive at the Embarcadero.

Is this shore excursion close to San Diego cruise port?

Yes, it’s within a 5-minute walk of the cruise port.

Will I see seals or sea lions during the tour?

You may spot seals or sea lions near Quivira Basin during the water portion.

Is there narration or commentary during the tour?

Yes, a local guide narrates throughout both land and water sections.

Is the amphibious vehicle wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Are service animals allowed on board?

Service animals are allowed, but pets and emotional support animals are not permitted.

Do I need to book return transport to my ship?

No; you return to your starting point at Seaport Village near the port.

What’s included

Your day includes a 90-minute narrated ride by land and water aboard an amphibious vehicle departing from Seaport Village—taxes covered—plus easy access for wheelchairs or strollers before returning right where you started near San Diego’s cruise terminal.