Flagship's Whale Watching Promise: Guaranteed Sightings

Up-close view of whale

We understand what you invest in a whale watching tour: your time and money, faith and hope. You clear the day, rally and drive out to the pier, having to trust that the captain and crew will know what they're doing. We don’t take that lightly.

See Whales, Or Your Next Trip Is Free

Not many people know, we launched the world's first commercial whale watching cruise in 1955. We've been refining San Diego whale watching ever since, fine-tuning our routes, tracking, timing, communication, vessel design. Those seventy years of practice lets us promise what others can't.

Our captains don't guess. They read the ocean currents, temperature, marine activity, wind patterns. They coordinate with other vessels in real time. Guided by experience, technology, and instinct, they know where the whales were an hour ago and where they're heading next.

Location and Timing 

Sitting directly along the gray whale migration route between Alaska and Baja California, San Diego is a world-class location for whale watching. Thousands and thousands of whales pass within miles of our coast. And every December through April, they return.

We sail from Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego. The route takes you past scenic North Bay landmarks before reaching open ocean to meet the gray whale migration. Our captains adjust the route based on real-time conditions and sightings.

What It Means for You

Winds shift, tides change, and ultimately nature is the one thing we cannot control. On the rare occasion whales don't appear, we make it right. 

How It Works
You'll receive your return ticket when you disembark, good for another whale watching tour or a harbor cruise. To redeem, call us and rebook a new date. Present the rain check when you check in for your new cruise. No expiration, come back when it works for you. We'll be here.

You can choose Flagship knowing we're accountable for the experience, not just the ticket. More than whale sightings, you're guaranteed:

  • A crew that knows these waters by heart
  • Captains with years—often decades—of experience
  • Routes designed around when and where whales appear
  • Naturalists who explain what you're seeing in real time
  • A vessel built for comfort and visibility

You'll see whales. Or you can come back out again for free until you do. That's not a promise written by the marketing team. It's earned from seventy years of getting it right.

Your Whale Watching Day

Season: December – April
Duration: Approximately 3.5 hours
Departures: 9:30 AM | 1:30 PM daily
Location: Broadway Pier, Downtown San Diego
Guarantee: See whales or your next trip is free
 

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

Upcoming Departures

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San Diego Whale Watching Cruise

Guaranteed sightings or your next trip free! | 3.5 Hours | Mid-Dec to Mid-Apr