San Diego Harbor Speed Boat Adventure

Climb aboard a speedboat for a 2 hour ride across the waters of San Diego Harbor. The adventure carries a 4.8 rating from 764 reviews.

Overview

You drive your own F13 mini speed boat across San Diego Bay on a guided and narrated tour. The whole thing runs about 2 hours from a marina on Harbor Island, and no boating license or prior experience is needed. After a safety orientation and a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket, the group of up to 12 travellers sets out together past Point Loma, along the Coronado shoreline, and by several of the bay's best known sights.

This is not a slow cruise. Reviewers repeatedly point out that the boats are genuinely quick, stable at speed, and that you are the one steering. The route passes the USS Midway Museum, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, the San Diego Bay Walk and the Coronado Bridge, all from the water. One reviewer also reported passing a nuclear powered aircraft carrier, and another described seeing sea lions and a pod of dolphins on the run.

It suits people who want an active outing rather than a seated tour. Anyone 18 or older can drive solo.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Cabrillo Isle MarinaMeet at 1450 Harbor Island Dr, suite 205, on Harbor Island. Check in at the office, then get a safety orientation and a US Coast Guard-approved life jacket before heading to the boats.
2. Board your F13 mini speed boatEach party gets its own boat for the run out onto the bay.
3. Pass Point LomaThe group sets out across the bay, passing Point Loma with the guide narrating the route.
4. Pass Coronado Island and the bridgeThe route runs past Coronado Island and the Coronado Bridge. These are pass-by points, with no stops or landing.
5. Pass the USS Midway Museum and Maritime MuseumYou pass the USS Midway Museum, the Maritime Museum of San Diego and the San Diego Bay Walk, all viewed from the water. One reviewer described passing an aircraft carrier up close.
6. Return to the marinaThe full loop takes 2 hours and finishes back at the same meeting point on Harbor Island.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will make the trip smoother, based on the listing and on what travellers report after booking.

• Dress for the day. The listing recommends a swimsuit in summer, a jacket in winter, plus sandals or flip-flops. Sunglasses and sun block are on the same list.
• Pack light. The boats have no storage compartment, so whatever you bring sits with you in the boat. The listing suggests bringing a towel.
• You will go fast. Several reviewers say the boats are fast and stable even at high speed, and that you are the one driving. This is a tour for people who enjoy speed on the water.
• Guide humor and facts. Reviewers describe the guides as knowledgeable about the area and entertaining, with one mentioning corny jokes and another calling the guide's dad jokes part of the fun.
• Wildlife is possible, not promised. One reviewer reported dolphins, sea lions and a passing aircraft carrier. These are wild encounters, so treat them as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
• Group size and driving age. The tour caps at 12 travellers. Only those 18 and over may drive a boat by themselves.

Common issues. The listing excludes hotel pickup and drop off, and gratuities are not included, so budget for a tip and your own transport to Harbor Island. Anyone with back or neck problems, recent surgery, heart conditions, or who is pregnant is advised not to take part, and the experience is not wheelchair accessible. Each boat has a weight limit of 425 lbs (205 kg). Weather also matters: the operator requires good conditions and will offer a different date or a full refund if the tour is cancelled for weather.

Common Questions