San Diego Mission Bay Whale Watching Cruise - Aboard the Legacy

Depart from Mission Bay
and head out to find whales

Departing from Mission Bay, just minutes from the open Pacific, you reach whale waters quickly. Even before leaving the bay you may spot seabirds, sea lions and other coastal wildlife, and then the crew guides you toward the La Jolla Canyon area, home to diverse wildlife.

Look for different whales each season

From November to April, the focus is the California gray whale, which travels more than 5,000 miles from the Bering and Chukchi Seas to the lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. Summer, when the water is warmest, offers the best chance to see blue whales, and from May to October there are good chances to see fin, humpback and minke whales.

You can often see several species of dolphins and porpoises as well as California sea lions. Spotting and identifying native and migratory birds and seabirds is also part of the fun.

Learn about marine life from naturalists

Naturalists certified by the San Diego Natural History Museum join every cruise. They share facts about marine life and answer your questions, making it a great trip for families.

Relax aboard the two-deck Legacy

The Legacy is a stable 80-foot fiberglass boat with windows along both decks for great views. It has covered indoor seating for more than 100 passengers, outdoor seating at the bow and upper-deck seating, plus a bar with snacks and drinks and three large restrooms.

※ Wildlife lives in its natural habitat, so sightings cannot be guaranteed.
※ If no whales are seen, you can join another cruise for free according to the operator’s policy.
※ The whale species you can see vary by season.