Top 10 Water Sports And Activities In San Diego, California - Updated 2024

Sheela
Sheela 
Updated
| 5 min read

When you are in San Diego, you will find that you are never short of things to do. Being a coastal city, visitors have the advantage of indulging in a wide range of water sports and other activities. Unleash the adventurous spirit in you and indulge in various sea sports. Choose from an endless list of activities and taking on the Pacific Ocean and San Diego’s bays. Ranging from kayaking to jet-skiing, flyboarding and paddle boarding, there is no end to how much fun you can have. To know more about what is in store for you if you are a water-sport enthusiast, continue reading below and learn about the top water sports and activities in San Diego, California.

1. Jet-boat ride along San Diego Bay (from USD 40.0)

Sit tight and zip around the beautiful waters of San Diego on a jet boat. This jet-boat ride that lasts for 30 minutes will provide oodles of fun, thrill, spins and splashes. Your captain will go on this journey with you and point out the major highlights in the city as you pass them. These include sights like Seaport Village and the Embarcadero. Hold on to dear life as your captain steers the boat on 360-degree spins and power slides. There is a variety of morning and afternoon departure times so you can what you fancy will fit in your schedule for the day.

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San Diego Bay Jet Boat Ride

Duration: 30 minutes

281 reviews

2. Speed boat adventure (from USD 94.0)

Hop onto a speed boat and experience the thrills of captaining your own boat for two hours. Upon meeting your guide, you will first learn the basics of boating from your expert guide before going around the harbor with him. During the cruise, you will pass highlights like the USS Midway, Coronado Bridge and the San Diego Museum amongst many others. You will get the opportunity to use the hand signals taught to you by your guide and navigate an F13 speed boat yourself. Take many pictures along the way as you get up close to the several sights in the area.

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San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

Duration: 2 hours

542 reviews

3. Kayaking tour in La Jolla Caves (from USD 69.0)

Spend some time getting up close to the marine life as you embark on a two-hour kayaking trip. This trip will take you through the famous La Jolla’s sea caves as well as the ecological reserve. You will be provided with an expert guide who will paddle along with you and point out to you the various species of birds, sea lions, dolphins and many more. If weather and sea conditions permit, you will be able to explore inside the sea caves. You will also be provided with the necessary equipment and life jacket to use for the trip. Upon meeting your guide, you will be given instructions to ensure proper paddling techniques. Finish this two-hour trip with a kayak ‘surf ride’ and ride the waves.

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La Jolla Sea Caves Kayak Tour (Single Kayak)

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

909 reviews

4. Whale watching cruise and Maritime Museum entrance (from USD 85.0)

Join in on a whale watching cruise on the San Diego Bay and also get an entrance ticket to visit the Maritime Museum. You will sail on the replica of a historic schooner which was famous back in 1851. During this four-hour cruise, you will navigate through the Pacific Ocean, allowing you to catch sights of the dolphins and gray whales, along with many others. The cost of the cruise includes beverages and same-day admission to the San Diego Maritime Museum.

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San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Duration: 4 hours

1804 reviews

5. Sunset cruise (from USD 32.0)

Why not enjoy San Diego in a relaxed fashion? Take the chance and cruise along the coastal waters off San Diego. This is a sunset tour which takes place just before sunset. Enjoy the epic views of the sun setting behind the background of the beautiful Pacific Ocean. Take tons of pictures against the backdrop of the sunset. There is an open bar on the deck where you will get the chance to listen to trendy music and order drinks of your choice. The tour lasts for about 75 minutes.

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San Diego Sunset Cruise from Mission Bay

Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes

67 reviews

6. San Diego electric boat rental (from USD 214.0)

How do you fancy being the captain of your own boat? Then take on this one and a half hour boat ride which departs from Mission Bay Marina. Get onto the electric boat with your friends or family and have a great time out. You get the chance to choose which sights to visit and the pace at which you travel. There are multiple departures throughout the course of the day so you can choose your time. Life vests and a built-in cooler are all provided on board.

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San Diego 90-Minute Electric Boat Rental

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

7. Double kayak rental (from USD 26.0)

double kayak rental
Source: www.viator.com

This two-hour kayaking expedition is a break away from the bustling city of San Diego. Explore the city using a kayak and sail along the calm waters of the North San Diego Bay. Paddling along the sea will let you cover some of the city’s San Diego’s coastal highlights. There is a hospitable crew that will go along with you and explain all the safety matters clearly. As such, this kayaking trip is also suitable for beginners. Head towards the shore at Spanish Landing Park and relax on board the majestic Star of India. This ship departs every hour, taking you back to where you started from.

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Hourly Double Kayak Rental

8. Day out on a wave runner (from USD 95.0)

day out on a wave runner
Source: www.viator.com

Get ready for a jet-powered ride with a wave runner rental. You will zip through the beautiful Mission Bay and stay clear of the crowded San Diego streets. You will have staff at hand to provide you with the necessary safety information and guide you on how to ride the waves. This adventure begins half an hour before departure and you will be fully guided throughout the journey. Through this activity, you will also get the chance to enjoy the sighting of the local wildlife and even get the opportunity to come up and personal with sea lion and dolphins.

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Wave Runner Rental: San Diego, Mission Bay

9. Stand-up paddleboarding lessons (from USD 81.0)

stand-up paddleboarding lessons
Source: www.viator.com

How about learning a new sport when on a vacation? Take up paddle boarding lessons where you will learn how to steer and balance on a stand-up paddleboard. A 1.5-hour session, this paddle boarding takes place across La Jolla’s flat and calm water, known to be one of San Diego’s most scenic beaches. The lesson starts close to the shore on flat water. Then you will learn topics on surf sense, learn more about the ocean and learn to handle the board and float. Also, learn the proper stance and efficient paddling methods. Do look out for local marine life like the sea lion, dolphin or even sea bass.

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Stand-Up Paddleboarding Lessons

10. Flyboarding lessons (from USD 119.0)

flyboarding lessons
Source: www.viator.com

Fancy something quick yet fun? Then these flyboarding lessons are the best option for you. If you enjoy the idea of flying, then this is the chance to do so. Feel the adrenaline as you learn to flyboard. Throughout this experience which lasts for 30 minutes, you will be guided by professional instructors. Each experience will include 10 minutes of teaching time, followed by 20 minutes of flight time. You can join this activity regardless of how skilled or inexperienced you are.

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Flyboard Lessons in San Diego

1 review

Challenge the waters of San Diego

With so many water sports available for you and your friends or family to engage in while in San Diego, you will constantly feel the adrenaline. Go ahead and decide the type of sports you want and get ready for a thrilling ride.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Sheela, a devoted mother to two remarkable young children, takes immense pleasure in family travel experiences. With a well-traveled history spanning numerous countries, her passion lies in the...Read more

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