A San Diego Whale Watching Trip

One of the coolest things I've done on my travels is to go on a whale watching tour off the coast of San Diego. I had the pleasure of riding with Adventure Rib Rides(not sponsored, I just really liked this tour) last year on a search for whales. What was unique about this whale watching tour was riding on a rib -a rigid inflatable boat. Known for it's speed and maneuverability, it only seats six - plus captain - and it soars over the waves quickly to get to sites where whales have been spotted. It allows the riders to sit closer to the water than the big 50 plus passenger boats- and there's no one in in front of you to mar your view. As Adventure Rib Rides likes to say - No Crowds, Better Adventure. I found it to be exhilarating, educational and just plain fun.

Adventure Rib Rides is based in San Diego harbor, right behind the Sheraton hotel. (Parking costs $ but Adventure Rib Rides will validate for you) The captain gave us waterproof suits to wear and we left out of the harbor on a gorgeous sunny February day. There were 2 couples, myself and a female traveler from Japan. Our captain gave us his background and a little history of the harbor as we traveled.

He was keeping up with whale sightings from other ships by radio. We headed to a spot where a whale had been sighted the day before but no luck.Unfortunately, the navy was doing mine sweep maneuvers of the bay which the captain said would keep the whales away. We were coming up pretty empty handed when the captain decided he would try his luck at some known spots on previous tours. (And my cell phone reported Welcome to Mexico so we were pretty far south)

Those are islands in Mexico

The ride itself was pretty glorious but then we spotted a mama whale and her calf. By law, we had to keep 100 yards away. So, no photos but it was very cool to spot the pair.

Those ripples are a mama whale and her calf

By now we needed to make our way back to the dock. Heading inland, something magical happened that was my absolute favorite part of our tour - dolphins. Skimming over the Pacific Ocean in what is, essentially, a large raft surrounded by about 50 jumping and flying dolphins - well, magical is the only way to describe it. I couldn't make it from side to side fast enough to see them! The only sound was the motor of the rib and the oohing and aahing of the passengers as the dolphins swept by. I'd go on this tour again just to see the dolphins - I wouldn't even have to see whales. 

Once we reached the harbor again, the captain drove us by some seals, sea lions and lots of birds relaxing in the sun. We got some classic San Diego skyline photos and then it was over. 

If you love being out on the ocean, seeing whales, floating alongside dolphins and the wind in your hair, I'd say to book yourself a rib whale watching tour in San Diego. You'll be happy that you did.

Know before you go:

Adventure Rib Rides 
1380 Harbor Island Drive
Behind the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina
Parking costs but Adventure Rib Rides will validate your ticket
They do public and private whale watching tours, private wildlife tours of San Diego bay and private tours of Los Coronados Islands, Mexico
Tours go all year:
Whale watching tours are good for all ages
December - April sightings of Gray, Fin and Humpback Whales
May - December sightings of Blue, Minke, Fin and Humpback Whales

How about you? Have you been whale watching before?


Linking up with: My Corner of the World at Photographing New Zealand!