San Diego Boating Guide

As we all know, the trickiest part of planning any vacation is deciding what to do, where to go, and figuring out how much you can fit into one day! If you’re off to San Diego you’re going to have some very difficult decisions to make, because the opportunities for entertainment here are endless.

If it’s an adventure you’re searching for, we’ve got some great recommendations for you. All that remains to be seen is exactly how brave you’ll be. Shark diving, anyone?

Check out these awesome outdoor things to do in San Diego

Rent a Boat in San Diego and hit the water

A visit to the San Diego Marina is considered a top thing to do for visitors, but don't just snap a photo of the boats - get yourself on a boat! Harbor cruises in San Diego are a popular choice for visitors to get on the water and see more of the city. Why not take a look at the wide range of boat rentals in San Diego and choose a vessel that sparks your interest? Charter a yacht with a captain in San Diego to provide an epic tour, or plan a trip along the coast to check out a waterfront restaurant or spend the day at sea soaking up the sun with a picnic.

Fishing Charters in San Diego

Fishing in San Diego is guaranteed to be a fun time, whether you’re an experienced angler or have never tried it before. Sportfishing charters are one of the top experiences sought out by tourists in San Diego. Professional fishing captains and guides can take you out to catch fish like yellowtail, Dorado, albacore, Seabass, Mackerel, and more. Drop-in your line and see what you can reel in on a deep-sea ocean fishing charter in San Diego! No need to worry about bringing your own bait, tackle, or equipment on a full-service fishing charter, just communicate with your captain about which licenses you'll need for a day of fishing.

Go Cage Diving with Great White Sharks

There are plenty of different boat tours in San Diego, but by far one of the most exciting has to be cage diving with sharks! Head to Guadalupe Island to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime trip, which promises thrills aplenty, if you’re brave enough.

Cage diving enables you to face off with great white sharks on America’s Shark Boat, the MV Horizon. You can capture the moment if you choose to use the trip to perfect your underwater shark photography. This experience is also often used by scientists conducting shark research, and TV crews hoping to catch a close-up view of these formidable predators.

This is one of our favorite wildlife adventures, and it’s definitely one of the top outdoor things to do when traveling around San Diego.

Surfboard Rentals and Surfing Lessons in San Diego

Whether you’re a total beginner or you like to think of yourself as an expert, surfing in San Diego is fantastic. Rent a surfboard or try a surfing lesson in San Diego and learn how to do this fun activity, it's a great thing to do as a family, so if you're traveling with kids, bring them with you on the waves. You’ll find plenty of surf schools along the coast, ready and waiting to take you out on the ocean for some surfing lessons. Two of the most popular places to surf in San Diego are La Jolla Shores and Pacific Beach at Law Street.

Try Flyboarding in San Diego

Did you know that you can try flyboarding in San Diego? You’ll find this awesome experience over at Mission Bay, and you’ll be glad to hear that it’s fun for total beginners. The team will teach you all about how the flyboard works, and run through all the safety information before letting you have a try for yourself.

Before long, you’ll be soaring over the seas with the help of your trusted flyboard. It’s like a jetpack for the water. It’s sometimes referred to as jetboarding. Believe us when we say it’s an experience you won’t forget!

Rent a Jet Ski in San Diego

Need to explore San Diego at a higher speed? Rent a jet ski and fly through the waves, explore the bay and check out different beaches around San Diego. Jet ski rentals are super popular in San Diego, and you can find specials for a 3-hour rental starting at $150, or rent for an entire day for sometimes as low as $300. It's an exciting way to see more of San Diego, getting in some thrills during your trip.

Sailing Charters in San Diego

Want to explore at a slower pace? Let the wind take you around San Diego. Sailing charters, sailboat rentals, and catamaran charters are popular in San Diego for experienced sailors and novices alike. It's a great activity to enjoy with kids and for both tourists or locals who don't get a chance to get out on the water much in San Diego.

Plan a Beach Day in San Diego

You can’t go to San Diego without spending a day enjoying the breathtaking beaches. There are tons of options when it comes to beaches in this destination, as the city spans a whopping 70 miles of coastline. So grab your sunglasses, swimwear, and maybe a few inflatables and make your way to the shore.

Popular San Diego beaches include:

Ocean Beach
Mission Beach
Pacific Beach
Moonlight Beach
Jolla Shores
Del Mar

And these are only a few examples of the endless options for sun and sand in San Diego.

Explore the Sea Caves by Kayak

Adventurous water fanatics will love exploring the sea caves in San Diego. The caves are only accessible by boat, but there are plenty of organized kayaking tours that will take you there.

You’ll find the famous caves in La Jolla Shores, which is an underwater park inhabited by a massive range of marine life. As part of the tours, visitors learn all about how the caves were once used by smugglers during the prohibition era. Keep your eyes peeled for star appearances from leopard sharks, sea lions, and California’s state fish: the orange Garibaldi.

Scuba Diving in San Diego

Do you have your PADI certification or have been wanting to try scuba diving for the first time? San Diego is a world-class destination for divers, notably at Matlahuayl State Marine Reserve, also known as La Jolla Underwater Park. Swim through magical kelp forests, descend into underwater canyons and explore sunken wrecks, all easy to access just a few miles from the shore of San Diego. Book a boat dive with a local divemaster, and you’ll have an unforgettable experience during your weekend in San Diego. For snorkeling, head to La Jolla Cove, where you can explore and see beneath the surface thanks to the crystal-clear, calm waters. Check out fish and other marine life, sunbathe, and relax in this favorite spot near San Diego.

Stand-up Paddleboarding Tours

Stand-up paddleboarding or SUP is an activity that has grown in popularity in San Diego. It’s easy to learn, and the calm waters of the bay make it a pleasant experience, for everyone from beginners to SUP pros. In addition to paddling yourself around in the waves, you can paddle surf, try SUP yoga, or enjoy a guided tour of favorite spots on the San Diego coast.

Dinner and Sunset Cruises in San Diego

After a long day of sightseeing in San Diego, book yourself on a dinner cruise in San Diego to enjoy a meal on board. Try a passenger boat trip or book a sunset sail where you’ll get a chance to see whales and dolphins, as well as sea lions near the shore. Whale watching No need to drop big bucks at SeaWorld San Diego when you can see these creatures in the wild instead of cruel captivity.

No matter what you decide to do in San Diego, planning some activity out on the water or at the beach is a must.

Need more ideas on what boating and water activities you can enjoy on a trip to San Diego? We can help you with that! Download the Getmyboat app to search and find great boat rentals in San Diego today!