A visit to San Diego is definitely not complete without exploring San Diego Bay with its stunning natural harbour, marine wildlife, and beautiful skyline. The lively harbour is choc-a-bloc with attractions and shopping and dining destinations. The top highlight, however, is taking a San Diego harbour cruise. Get aboard a boat to take in the beauty of the bay and its stunning landmarks, ranging from the iconic Coronado Bridge to historic military ships and waterfront sights. You can pick out exactly the kind of experience you want - from a comfortable tour of the sights, a thrilling high-adrenaline trip, to a leisurely romantic dinner cruise. Get to know everything you need for planning your trip in this guide to San Diego Harbor Cruise.
Things to do / Highlights
San Diego Harbor Cruises (standard tours)
Two companies, Flagship Cruises and Hornblower Cruises, offer guided tours that give a fantastic overview of the Bay’s top points of interests. There are three options available - North Harbour Tour, South Harbour Tour and the Full Bay Tour. The North Harbour and the South Harbour tours last for one hour, while the Full Bay Tour is for two hours, with a break of 15 minutes in between. The North Bay trip covers the North Island Naval Air Station, Naval Submarine Base, Harbor and Shelter Island and Cabrillo National Monument. The South Bay cruise covers The Star of India, Coronado Bay Bridge, US Navy fleet, and the dry-docking and shipbuilding facilities. Fully narrated, the tours give a vantage view of San Diego’s landmarks and its skyline
Your tour will be aboard a luxury ship with three levels with cosy indoor and outdoor seating, that have 360-degree views so you can enjoy the amazing spectacles around you.
Adventure tours
Patriot Jet Boat: If you are looking for an adrenaline rush while exploring San Diego Bay then book a trip on this high-speed boat tour that will take you on a 30-minute thrilling ride through all the iconic attractions of the Bay. Exhilarating and entertaining, the captain offers narration of the sights you see while executing incredible turns and spins with the craft going speeds of up 50 mph (80 kph) at times.
Adventure RIB Rides: A slightly more expensive option, this harbour tour on Rigid-hull Inflatable Boats (RIBS) offers a more up-close experience but possibly a bumpier one. The Wildlife and Naval Heritage Cruise of San Diego Bay is a private tour that will offer you a unique perspective of the bay and its scenic views.
San Diego Sailing tours: Have a trip of a lifetime by booking a tour aboard a classic sailing yacht boat. The Signature Sailing Tour gives you the opportunity to explore the bay intimately with the staff offering narration. You will also get served complimentary beverages and snacks.
Chartered tours
There are numerous companies that offer private harbour cruises creating the kind of atmosphere and ambience you wish.
What to eat
San Diego Harbor Cruises - Standard Cruises
The regular cruises aboard Flagship and Hornblower have an onboard snack bar where you can buy snacks and beverages including wine and cocktails.
San Diego Harbor Cruises - Special Cruises
Both companies offer a bevvy of dining, brunch, and cocktail cruises such as Sunset Dinner Cruise and Sunday Champagne Brunch Cruise, where you can enjoy lavish three-course meals while taking the beautiful sights and enjoying live music. They also offer seasonal cruises on occasions such as Valentine’s Day and the holidays.
How to get there
Most cruises depart from Harbour Drive and you can reach here either via bus, trolley or taxis, in addition to driving yourself.
Flagship Cruises
Flagship Cruises depart from 970 N Harbour Drive.
Parking: Metered parking is available closeby. Other options include parking at the USS Midway Parking Lot, B Street Pier parking lot (ABM Parking), Spring Hill Suites & InterContinental Hotel (ACE Parking), Ace parking lot (Corner of Broadway and Pacific Highway) among others
Taxi, Pedicab, and Dropoffs: These transportation options can be availed at Broadway pier.
Trolley: The pier is two blocks away from Santa Fe Depot Train Station & Trolley Stop.
Hornblower Cruises
Hornblower Cruises depart from two locations: Pier 1 (970 N. Harbor Drive) and Pier 2(1800 North Harbor Drive) both on Harbour Drive, depending on your tour. So be sure to check the Reservation Confirmation issued to you.
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How to get tickets (from USD 33.0)
Official sites
You can book tickets on the official websites of the cruise companies: Flagship Cruises and Hornblower Cruises. Tour prices typically start from USD 28.
Third-party sites
Tickets to San Diego Harbour Cruises are available at third-party sites as well. Groupon often has discounted tickets for both Flagship and Hornblower cruises as does Goldstar and aRes Travel, among others. You can also opt to book via sites like Viator.
At boarding location
Tickets can be purchased at the windows available at the respective boarding piers of both companies.
Go San Diego Card
The all-inclusive Go San Diego Card offers over 35 attractions, one of which is a one-hour San Diego Harbour Cruise.
San Diego Harbor Cruise with Live Guided Commentary
Duration: 2 hours
What to buy
The Wheelhouse Gift Ship
Operated by Flagship Cruises, this gift shop offers several souvenirs like mugs, magnets and postcards. It even stocks Dramamine if you are in need of something to counter the possibility of seasickness.
Seaport Village
Located a short distance away on West Harbor Drive, Seaport Village is a waterfront complex that offers a wide range of stores, restaurants and souvenir stores. Here you can buy souvenirs of every kind from Native American jewellery to personalised keyrings and more.
San Diego Harbour Cruise information
Flagship Harbour Cruises
Address: 990 North Harbor Dr, San Diego
Website: Flagship Cruises & Events
Departures: North Harbor Cruises: 10am, 12:30pm, 3pm (daily); South Harbor Cruises: On the hour between 10am - 5pm; Full Bay Tour: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, 4:15pm
Hornblower Harbour Cruises
Address: 970 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego
Website: Hornblower Cruises & Events
Departures: One hour tours: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, 4:15pm, 5:30pm; Two hour tours: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, 4:15pm
San Diego Harbour
Department of tourism: Visit San Diego
History
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