San Diego: 3-Hour Sailing Cruise & Harbor Views

Forty feet of sailboat, six people, and the whole San Diego Harbor to yourself

You get a private-feeling sailing experience on San Diego Bay with complimentary drinks and snacks, views of the Coronado Bridge, USS Midway, and Point Loma lighthouse, all without a scripted tour or a crowd. The boat holds six maximum, so it stays intimate. Call the operator after booking to lock in your departure time and confirm your group is together.

Step-by-step itinerary

Afternoon sailing tour in San Diego

• Meet at Shelter Island marina
• Board 40-foot luxury sailing yacht
• Set sail in San Diego Harbor
• Enjoy complimentary drinks and snacks
• Use blankets or buy jackets if cold
• Purchase sunscreen, sunglasses, hats if needed
• Stream your music to Bluetooth speakers
• Use binoculars to view coastline and wildlife
• Sail past Point Loma lighthouses
• Pass by Coronado Bridge
• Sail past Coronado North Island
• View USS Midway from the water
• Optionally pass Seaport Village and Convention Center
• Return to marina and disembark

The experience

The boat sits low in the water at Shelter Island, white hull catching the afternoon light, and you're about to spend three hours on a 40-foot sailing yacht with maybe five other people instead of fifty. That's the whole thing right there. The captain handles the sails, you handle the beer and the view. The harbor opens up as you leave the marina: the Coronado Bridge rises ahead, the USS Midway sits solid on the water to your left, and the Point Loma lighthouse passes by close enough that binoculars feel optional. You'll drift past Coronado's North Island, and depending on the day and the captain's mood, maybe swing by Seaport Village or the Convention Center downtown. It's not narrated. Nobody's pointing things out or telling you facts. You ask questions if you want them, and otherwise you just watch the coastline change.

The boat comes with complimentary beer and hard seltzers (if you're 21), soft drinks, snacks, blankets if the wind picks up, and a Bluetooth speaker so you can play your own music instead of whatever a tour operator thinks you want to hear. If you burn easy, sunscreen and hats are for sale at check-in. The whole three-hour sailing trip in San Diego is built around not having to think. You show up, the captain does the work, and you sit back. The only catch is you need at least three people to sail, and the boat maxes out at six, so if you're traveling solo or as a pair, you'll be sharing the deck with strangers. If you're a group of six, you can book the whole thing and have it to yourselves.

After you buy your tickets, you have to call Sail San Diego to confirm your exact departure time. They vary by season and the operator needs to know if multiple people in your group are booking separately, otherwise you might end up on different boats. The marina is in Shelter Island, which is accessible by car and has public transit nearby. Once you're on the water, the three hours move fast.

What’s included

Your day includes the 3-hour sailing cruise on a 40-foot yacht, complimentary beer and hard seltzers (for guests 21+), soft drinks, light snacks, blankets, binoculars, and access to the boat's Bluetooth speakers. Sunscreen, hats, and jackets are available for purchase at check-in.

Information

Lasts 3h, runs every day at 10:00 and 11:00, from US$ 116 per person, with a live guide in English, in groups of up to 6 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery day except Friday: 10:00Friday: 10:00 and 11:00Another time? ›

GroupUp to 6

Live guideEnglish

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

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Sail San Diego

Is this one for you?Best for small groups or friends who want to be on the water without a crowded tour boat or a scripted itinerary: the six-person limit and no-commentary format mean you get the harbor to yourself and the freedom to just sit and look.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

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.

What's included in the price?

The 3-hour cruise, complimentary beer and hard seltzers (21+), soft drinks, light snacks, blankets, and use of binoculars. Sunscreen, hats, and jackets are available for purchase.

How many people can go on the boat?

Maximum 6 passengers. You need at least 3 to sail. You can book all 6 spots to have the boat semi-private with friends.

Do I need to book a specific departure time?

Departure times vary by season. You must contact Sail San Diego after purchase to confirm your exact time.

Where does the boat leave from?

Sail San Diego's private marina in the Shelter Island area of Point Loma.

Is there a tour guide or commentary?

No. The captain runs the boat and is happy to answer questions, but this isn't a narrated tour.

What if my friends are booking separate tickets?

Call Sail San Diego before your trip to let them know you want to be on the same boat, otherwise you may be split across different sailings.

Can I bring my own music?

Yes. The boat has Bluetooth speakers, so you can stream your own playlist.

What if I get cold?

Complimentary blankets are provided. You can also purchase a jacket or sweater at their store.

Is this accessible for people with mobility issues?

The boat is wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.

How long is the cruise?

Three hours on the water.