Whale Watching from Oceanside Harbor
Two-hour whale and dolphin cruises on our two catamarans. Family owned and operated since 2015.
4.8 · 2,324 Google reviews Tripadvisor 4.7 · 2,051 reviews Latest sighting, Oct 25: 3 humpback whales and 800 common dolphins
Chasing Blue Whales off Oceanside
CBS 8 San Diego took a ride with us.
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Recent Sightings
- 3 humpback whales and 800 common dolphins
- 15 orcas, 1 humpback whale and 200 common dolphins
- 4 humpback whales and 600 common dolphins
- 2 humpback whales and 1,000 common dolphins
- 3 humpback whales and 900 common dolphins
Whales by Season
Gray Whales
Late November to April
Blue Whales
May to November
Humpback Whales
Year round
Fin Whales
Year round
The Cruise
- A two-hour whale and dolphin cruise from Oceanside Harbor, on NALA or Oceanside Adventures.
- All our captains are US Coast Guard licensed and American Cetacean Society Certified Naturalists.
- Adult Ages 13+ $67*
- Children Ages 3-12 $52*
- Seniors Ages 55+ $62*
- Infants Ages 0-2 $10*
- Temporary Fuel Surcharge $5 per person
*not including fees
4.8 on Google
From 2,324 reviews
4.7 on Tripadvisor from 2,051 reviews. Travelers’ Choice in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Joshua D. on GoogleEasy to book, friendly & knowledgeable staff. Great tour with lots of sightings!!
Tricia A. on GoogleToday was our first time out of Oceanside Harbor to whale watch. What a great trip this afternoon. A beautiful, safe catamaran, nice staff and what a fantastic view! We saw lots of dolphins today. We will definitely be repeat visitors with them.
Verity W. on GoogleIt was amazing!! The staff and captain did an excellent job and finding the whales and staying close but not too close to them. They are very knowledgeable and kind. Highly recommend!!
Connie A. on GoogleJust perfect!! Seen 5 humpback whales
Tyler G. on GoogleOutstanding crew and boat! First class experience all around.
Janet M. on GoogleIt was an awesome experience!! We got to see dolphins and humpback whales. I did get videos but no still photos! The crew were informative and helpful. I highly recommend.
Thomas B. on GoogleEasy access for the departure location, boarding was easy, the kids loved the choppy waters heading into the swells, saw some dolphins, and lots of ocean. The crew was great!
Deb M. on GoogleIt was educational, they told us about the humpback whale that we sailed along side for awhile. They were friendly and answered all questions.
Michelle W. on GoogleWe went for my sisters 40th birthday and had a blast! The crew was very nice, boat was clean and comfortable with lots of space to walk around. We saw at least 40 dolphins sooooo close to the boat! It was an amazing time and I highly recommend it!
Ruthanne C. on GoogleGreat trip, beautiful boat. We saw flying fish, dolphins and a sunfish. Lovely day on the water. Terrific crew, friendly and informative.
Tanya D. on GoogleWe had an amazing afternoon! Saw Orcas and whales!!!!! Great friendly crew…second time with Oceanside!
Pete B. on GoogleCaptain and crew were awesome and we saw a pod of bottle nose dolphins that contained about 40 individuals and some including several calves.
Colette T. on GoogleWe saw a huge female humpback whale that breached 3 times. The crew was amazing and the boat ride was a great hit with all, especially my 7 year old graddaughter!
Effie H. on GoogleGreat experience. Friendly and experienced crew. Saw 3 breaches, 4 tails and multiple pectoral fins with quite a few spouts! It was a perfect outing.
Morgan D. on GoogleWe had an absolute blast with Captain Andrew! Not only did we feel completely safe and secure the entire time, but we also learned so much about the area. His sense of humor kept us laughing from start to finish. Highly recommend!
A selection of recent five-star reviews. Read all reviews on Google Read reviews on Tripadvisor
Meet Our Boats
NALA is our 63-foot, double-deck catamaran, built for us by Cooper Marine in 2024 with artwork by Wyland.
Our public cruises run on NALA or our 47-foot catamaran, Oceanside Adventures.
Shane the captain is incredibly friendly and informative and his crew is amazing.
Chilly T. on Google
More Ways on the Water
Small private charters and burials at sea go out on our original boat, the 47-foot catamaran Oceanside Adventures.
Getting Here
256 Harbor Drive South
Oceanside, CA 92054
Check in at our kiosk by the Lighthouse for your boarding pass. Please don’t go directly to the boat.
We’re off the 5 freeway, 30 minutes north of SeaWorld San Diego and 30 minutes south of Orange County. Driving up? Read about whale watching near San Diego and whale watching near Carlsbad.
All FAQs What to Wear What It Costs Whale Watching with Kids
Questions
When is whale watching season in Oceanside?
It’s always whale watching season at Oceanside Adventures. Gray whales pass from late November through April, and blue whales visit from May to November. Humpback, fin and minke whales turn up through the year, and dolphins don’t migrate, so we often see them all year round. Read more about dolphin watching in Oceanside and the best time for whale watching in Oceanside.
How long is the cruise?
About two hours, from Oceanside Harbor and back. Prices are on the whale watching cruise page.
Which boat is the cruise on?
Our public whale and dolphin cruises run on either of our two catamarans: NALA, 63 feet with two decks, or Oceanside Adventures, 47 feet. Oceanside Adventures also takes our small private charters and burials at sea.
Will we see whales?
We can’t guarantee a sighting. Our captains have an unsurpassed record for finding whales and dolphins off Oceanside, and our sightings log shows what they have found since 2015.
Can you see whales from Oceanside Pier?
The cruise takes you out to where the whales are. Gray whales are coastal navigators, so we usually travel about a mile offshore, and the same is generally true for blue whales. The boat can go up to 7 miles out if needed.
Is it better to go in the morning or the afternoon?
Whales and dolphins move 24 hours a day, so there’s no best time to see them. The water tends to be calmer in the morning. More answers are on our FAQ page.
Will I get seasick?
Our catamarans are very safe and stable, but we will be on the ocean. If you’re prone to motion sickness, consider taking preventative measures before the trip. Read how to avoid seasickness.
What if conditions turn unsafe?
If conditions turn unsafe after we leave the dock, you get a “whale check” to come back another time.
Are the boats wheelchair accessible?
Our boats are wheelchair accessible. The ramp takes standard push wheelchairs with a wheelbase of 25 inches or less, through a gate 27 inches wide. We can’t take electric wheelchairs or scooters. Please call after booking so we can have the ramp ready for you.