Enjoy a 3.5 Hour Whale Watching Adventure Cruise - Hornblower San Diego

Hornblower San Diego Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

Whale watching season is December through early April, with approximately 28,000 Gray Whales passing by the San Diego Coast. Whale watchers are treated to the awe-inspiring sight of these majestic giants while aboard a comfortable Hornblower whale watching yacht in Southern California.

Each three and a half-hour whale watching adventure is narrated by an experienced captain with information exclusively endorsed by the San Diego Natural History Museum. Other wildlife, such as sea lions, blue herons and three kinds of dolphins put in appearances.

Some Highlights:

• Guaranteed Whale Sighting of Gray Whales and Whale Calves.
• Sea Lions, Pelicans and Much more.
• Harbor Seals and Pods of hundreds of Dolphins.
• If whales are not sighted, a pass good for another Whale Watching or Harbor Cruise will be issued.

Hornblower San Diego Whale Watching Adventure Cruise

 

Whale Watching from San Diego is an educational adventure and visual experience for people who love whales and other wildlife. In the beginning of the season, the southbound whales swim closer to the coast, so the maximum distance we cruise is about 3-5 miles. Toward the end of the season, when the northbound whales swim further out, we can cruise up to 9-12 miles off the coast.

A big part of your Whale Watching Adevnture is choosing the best Whale Watching Boat. Our boat was generated for ocean service and offers a stable and more comfortable trip in any seas. We get you to the viewing area faster so that you can enjoy the whales longer. Our boat is equipped with comfortable:

• Indoor viewing areas with large windows

• 3000 square feet of outdoor viewing space

 

• The boat is 3 Decks High or 25 feet off the water, so whales can been seen as far as a mile away

• Vessel accommodates up to 600 Guests.

• The Yacht used is Handicapped Accessible. However, it is subject to change on rare occassions. Please call the local number provided to ensure handicap accessibility for the date you are planning to cruise.

Food & Beverage are available for purchase onboard your cruise. Hard and soft coolers, glass containers, food such as sandwiches, meals, snacks etc., and flavored drinks may not be taken onboard. Water may be taken onboard.

Insider Tip:

 

Your chances of seeing whales are the same on the morning or afternoon cruise. However, the afternoon cruise almost always has more passengers aboard. If you want to cruise with less people, choose the morning trip.

Seasickness: If you tend to have a problem with motion sickness, you may experience seasickness. However, many of our guests experience no discomfort at all. You can pick up over-the-counter medicine at any drug store or you can purchase a Bio Band at the ticket booth or on board.

Hornblower is partnered and endorsed by the San Diego Natural History Museum on our Whale Watching Adventure! With our program, the museum has trained hundreds of volunteer naturalists who assist our expert captains with narration and answer guests questions and point out facts about some of the specimens we carry on board from our whale exhibit.

 

Whale Watching Cruise - Hornblower
December 12th - April 4th: Daily at 9:30am and 1:30pm

Departure Location:

• Whale Watch Cruise departs from 1066 North Harbor Drive San Diego CA 92101. Please make sure to give yourself plenty of time to find parking.

Parking:

• 5 Star Public Parking - Corner of Pacific Highway and Broadway: 0 to 1 hour: $5.00, 1 to 10 hours: $10.00, 10 to 24 hours: $15.00. Hornblower Cruises & Events is not responsible for these parking lots. They are owned by The Port and operated by contractors. Limited Metered Parking - $1.25/hour, meters are free after 6:00pm, Sundays and on Holidays.

Handicapped Accessibly:

• The Whale Wathcing Yacht is handicapped accessible and is equipped with handicapped bathrooms. Guest that require handicapped access must call to make reservations.

Eastern Pacific Gray Whale
Eschrichtius robustus

Description: The average size of a gray whale is approximately nine to 15 meters (30-50 feet) long, and it may weigh up to 32,000 kg (35 tons). Seen from above, its body tapers at both ends, and is a dark slate color that can appear mottled gray. Generally, so many barnacles and whitish scars appear on older whales that the original slate color is almost obscured. The baleen plates are less than 0.5 meters (20 inches) long, yellowish to white with yellowish-white bristles. There are typically 130 - 180 baleen plates on each side of the mouth. Two to five shallow grooves furrow the underside of the throat. The gray whale has no dorsal fin, but a series of low round humps are present on the rear portion of the back. The spout is not very distinctive, rising low and quickly, usually reaching a height of three meters (10 feet), but it may go as high as 6 meters (20 feet).

Range and Habitat: The gray whale's present range is limited to the eastern North Pacific Ocean. Another population existed in the western North Pacific, but is now extinct. Historical documents and skeletal remains also show that gray whales formerly lived in the North Atlantic Ocean. This species generally stays within coastal waters. As they migrate during the winter, they stay within 10 km (six miles) of the shore. Some may move further offshore during the summer.

Migration: Gray whales spend the summer months in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, and then leave for the breeding lagoons along western Baja California, Mexico. They follow the longest migration route of any mammal on Earth, sometimes traveling nearly 16,000-20,000 km (10,000-12,400 miles) round trip. The southern migration begins in late September or early October. By December of most years, the first individuals pass along the California coast, with peak numbers passing by in early January. After their stay in the lagoons of Baja California, the whales begin their northward passage, starting in February and usually ending in late March. They generally stay within 10 km (six miles) of the coastline.

 

Payment:

Your credit card will be charged the total amount of products and services selected at the time of booking. We accpet Visa, American Express, Mastercard, and Discover Card.

Confirmation & Travel Voucher:

This tour must be booked 24 hours in advance. For every confirmed booking you will receive an e-mail with a link to your E-Ticket Voucher subject to availability. Print vouchers on your home/ office printer. Please present these E-Ticket vouchers at the Box Office as proof of payment.

Cancellation Policy:

All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. In the event the tour is cancelled by the tour operator, the ticket price will be refunded.

Recommended: Comfortable shoes and a extra layer of warm clothing are recommended. Weather permitting, cruise route may be altered. Meals, Gratuities and Souvenirs are not included.

Hornblower and Tourcorp assumes no responsibility for delays caused by accidents, breakdown, bad conditions of the river or bay and other conditions beyond control. Not responsible for loss or damage to property.

All company policies can be found at www.tourcorp.com, and are part of this tour purchase.