San Diego Bay: Small Group Classic Yacht Sailing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (85 reviews) 98% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationExcellent quality

1/43

Duration2h 30m

GroupUp to 6

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Sail past Coronado Bridge & USS Midway on a classic yacht with just six guests

You’ll sail San Diego Bay with only six people aboard a classic yacht, guided by Captain Phil’s easygoing stories. See landmarks like Coronado Bridge and USS Midway up close, sip California wine or craft beer, and watch sunset colors spill over downtown. It’s relaxed, personal, and gives you space to actually feel San Diego instead of just seeing it.

2h 30m

Step-by-step itinerary

San Diego Bay Sailing and Sightseeing

Board classic 41-ft Friendship sloop
Sail around the Star of India
Sail under the USS Midway aircraft carrier
View San Diego skyline and Coronado Bridge
Enjoy craft beer, wine, and snacks onboard
Disembark and visit Seaport Village
Explore Coronado Island and beach

The Experience

I didn’t expect how quiet San Diego Bay could feel until we pushed off from the marina — just six of us and Captain Phil on this old Friendship sloop. There’s something about wooden decks under bare feet and the way the city skyline kind of sneaks up on you from the water. Phil’s got this calm way about him (55 years at sea, he said, but not in a braggy way), and he let us move around as we wanted — no loudspeaker or script, just stories if you asked. I kept catching whiffs of salt and sunscreen mixed with the faintest smell of varnish from the railings.

We drifted past the Maritime Museum’s Star of India — it looks even older from this angle — then glided right under the bow of the USS Midway. Someone made a joke about Top Gun; Phil just grinned and pointed out some seals sunning themselves near the pier. The bay was busy but never crowded on our boat. Sometimes I’d lose track of what to look at: Coronado Bridge curving above us, downtown San Diego reflecting off the water, a pelican dive-bombing for fish. I tried to take a photo but gave up because it never really catches how wide open it feels out there.

Sunset snuck up fast. The sky went all gold behind Coronado Island and suddenly everyone went quiet for a minute — even Phil stopped talking. There was cold California white wine (and craft beer if you wanted), plus some snacks that tasted better than they should have after an hour in the sea air. I still think about that light on the water when we turned back toward shore. It felt like being let in on a local secret instead of just another tour.

What’s included

Your day includes 2.5 hours aboard a classic 41-foot yacht with just six guests plus Captain Phil at the helm; enjoy complimentary craft beer, California white wine, soft drinks, bottled water, and packaged snacks as you sail past San Diego landmarks before returning to shore—marina parking is available for an additional fee.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sail Liberty