San Diego: Speed Boat Captain Tour & USS Midway Pass

You Drive the Boat Through San Diego Harbor: Here's What You Actually See

You captain your own speedboat on a narrated tour of San Diego Bay, following a guide in a separate boat connected by two-way radio. You'll pass the USS Midway (and drive underneath it), see sea lions at Point Loma, cruise past Coronado Naval Base and the Maritime Museum, and loop around Cabrillo National Monument and Coronado Bridge. The tour includes a safety briefing, life jacket, and all fees. No boating experience or license needed.

Step-by-step itinerary

San Diego Harbor speedboat tour

• Captain your own speedboat
• Follow expert guide with narration
• Pass Point Loma bait barge
• See sea lions playing
• View Coronado Naval Base and Island
• Drive under USS Midway bow
• Hear live narration at Maritime Museum
• See Downtown San Diego from water
• Pass Coronado Bridge
• Pass Cabrillo National Monument
• See oldest active sailing ship

The experience

The safety briefing takes longer than you'd expect. You're standing on the dock in a Coast Guard-approved life jacket that doesn't quite fit right, listening to the guide explain throttle control and how to keep the boat level when you turn. It's not glamorous. But then you're in the F13 speedboat, hands on the wheel, and the guide in the boat ahead radios through: "Follow me, and watch the water." That's when it clicks. You're not just riding along San Diego Bay. You're piloting it.

The route moves fast. You head toward Point Loma first, where the San Diego Bait Barge sits in the water and sea lions actually show up. They're loud and chaotic and closer than you thought they'd be. Then you swing past Coronado Naval Base and Coronado Island from the water, which looks completely different from the shore. The guide's voice comes through the two-way radio with facts about the harbor's history, the ships, the landmarks. You're not just hearing it. You're seeing it from the angle nobody else gets. When you pass underneath the USS Midway's bow, actually drive under it, the scale of the ship hits different when you're in a small boat looking up.

The Maritime Museum ships come next, each one narrated as you approach. The oldest actively sailing ship in the world is there, and the guide tells you which one it is. Coronado Bridge slides into view, and then you loop past Cabrillo National Monument before heading back. The whole thing takes the time it takes. There's no rushing it, and there's no sitting still either. You're steering the whole way, which means you're engaged the whole way. No boating license required, and the guide stays in constant contact, so you're not actually alone out there. You're just the one holding the wheel.

What’s included

Your own F13 mini speedboat, guided and narrated tour with two-way radio communication to the guide's boat, US Coast Guard-approved life jacket, safety orientation before departure, and all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Options for this experience

4 options

Double boat departing at 9 amGuide in English · 09:00Self-drive speed boat tour of San Diego Harbor lasting 2 hours. Choose this for 2 passengers in one boat.

Double boat departing at 11 amGuide in English · 11:00A 2-hour self-drive speed boat journey on San Diego Harbor. Pick this option for 2 passengers sharing one boat.

Double boat departing at 1 pmGuide in English · 13:00A 2-hour self-drive speed boat journey on San Diego Harbor. Pick this option for 2 passengers sharing one boat.

Double boat departing at 3 pmGuide in English · 15:00Self-drive speed boat tour of San Diego Harbor lasting 2 hours. Pick this option for 2 passengers.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day, 4 start times, from US$ 89 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 12 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Under 3: can't be booked

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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Speed Boat Adventures, Inc.

Is this one for you?Right for anyone 18+ who wants to actually steer a boat through San Diego Bay instead of just watching from a tour boat. The guide handles the narration and navigation while you handle the wheel, which is what makes the whole thing feel like your own adventure instead of a passenger experience.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

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.

Do I need a boating license to drive the speedboat?

No. You must be 18 or older, but no license or prior experience is required. A safety orientation is included before you depart.

What's included in the tour?

Your own F13 mini speedboat, guided and narrated tour via two-way radio, US Coast Guard-approved life jacket, safety briefing, and all taxes and fees.

Can I bring a passenger with me in the boat?

If booking multiple boats, you'll need to make separate reservations for each boat. The reference doesn't specify shared capacity within a single boat.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit (summer), jacket (winter), sandals or flip-flops, a towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses. The boats have no storage compartment, so pack light.

How long is the tour?

The itinerary covers multiple stops (Point Loma, Coronado, USS Midway, Maritime Museum, Cabrillo Monument, and Coronado Bridge), but a specific duration isn't listed. Plan for a half to full day.

Is there a weight limit?

Yes. The per-boat weight limit is 425 lbs (205 kg).

Who shouldn't do this tour?

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, neck or back problems, recent surgery, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnant women. The boats move fast and involve steering.

What if I've never been on a speedboat before?

That's fine. No experience is required, and the guide provides a full safety orientation. You'll follow the guide's boat throughout the tour via radio communication.