Experience Ecological Whale Watching.

Whale watching aboard the famous sailing yacht, AMERICA

This is a rare opportunity for a select few and available daily, from mid-December 2011 to mid-April 2012. Join us and sail in the luxury of the historic yacht America during the peak of the Pacific ocean whale migration. This thrilling educational experience is open to the general public for an exciting sailing experience off the coast of San Diego in search of whales. This is no ordinary 'whale watching' experience as it will be presented with an educational and historical perspective and engaged on an ecological and exhilarating platform. The America is named after the magnificent 139 Ft yacht that won the first "America's Cup" and a sail upon her is a thrill of a lifetime.

An expedition of discovery, whales, dolphins and nautical history....this is by far the "Premium" whale watching experience in Southern California, and you never know when we may spot orcas. Click here to see Orca videos from 2009.

Get your camera and your binoculars ready for some amazing wildlife sightings!  Along with our main focus, the gray whales, you have an excellent chance of seeing a number of dolphins, sea lions, sunfish, and a number of seagoing birds.  A few of the marine wildlife you may encounter are:  gray whales, minke whales, fin whales, common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Pacific whitesided dolphins, Risso's dolphins, California sea lions, sunfish, etc.  A few of the birds you will probably see are:  brown pelicans, blue herons, cormorants, etc.  Click on this link for more information and pictures of the marine mammals listed above:  Southern California Marine Mammals

Sailing to the see whales and dolphins presents a fabulous day out and can often be described as having a "Picnic on the Ocean". We will provide a big cooler with soda, water & ice, we'll also have some light snacks. Guests can BYOB, sandwiches for lunch etc. SO....you can see how the 'picnic' thing comes about....this magnificent yacht cruising across the ocean on a beautiful sunny day, a blanket on deck, the picnic with the crackers and cheese plus a nice bottle of your favorite wine. It has all the makings of a very lovely day......and somewhere along the way the whales and dolphins become a 'bonus'. The yacht 'America' is very stable and very few guests ever experience any motion sickness. A trip to the ocean on board the 'America' is as much about the opportunity to sail on this amazing yacht as it is to see the whales. It is simply the whale watching season that gives the public the rare opportunity to sail aboard the America".

The folks on the beautiful yacht “America” are so confident that you will not get seasick that they will provide a $40 gift certificate at San Diego’s famous “Fish Market” restaurant if your day is spoiled by motion sickness. ($20 child certificate) Most whale watching vessels are motorboats that not only have a lot more diesel fumes than a sailboat, but because of their hull shape are more inclined to roll a lot more on the ocean than a sailboat with a large balancing keel deep below the surface. As such the 11 Ft deep keel on the 139 Ft. “America” effectively eliminates 90% of the motion….and guarantees you a great day.

Trip includes: soft beverages & snacks, a history lesson of “America” and the modern “America’s Cup”, a whale watching narration, and entrance to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Guests are encouraged to BYO additional beverages/food (NO COOLERS ARE ALLOWED).

For more information call (619) 234-9153 ext. 101
Or Email us: info@sdmaritime.org