Whale Watching San Diego: Small Group Zodiac
Spot whales and dolphins from a nimble Zodiac with just six guests for intimate wildlife encounters.
From$116/ person
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Discover what we've curated for you
Spot whales and dolphins from a nimble Zodiac with just six guests for intimate wildlife encounters.
Discover what we've curated for you
2.5–3 hrs
Up to 6 people
Captain & crew, Life jackets
Glide across the waters off San Diego aboard a fast Zodiac RIB in search of migrating whales, playful dolphins and other marine life. With only six guests per tour, you enjoy clear sightlines and expert wildlife narration.
Expect 2.5–3 hours on the water and arrive 15 minutes before departure. Tour accommodates a maximum of six guests per boat.
For detailed cancellation policies, please visit our website.
1677 Quivira Rd, San Diego, CA 92109
This crew clearly lives and breathes ocean conservation and marine wildlife. Manolo stands out across reviews for his exceptional spotting abilities and genuine passion, while captains like Emily, Scott, and Jack get praised for their smooth handling of the boat. Rocky, the marine biologist onboard, brings serious expertise that guests appreciate, and the safety divers demonstrate real professionalism during shark encounters. The team's knowledge shines through whether you're swimming with makos, watching dolphins, or spotting the occasional blue whale or great white from the boat. The marine life encounters are genuinely impressive. Guests report seeing everything from mako sharks and sunfish to multiple whale species, dolphins, and sea bass. The crew works hard to find wildlife and gets you surprisingly close to the action. People with anxiety about open water specifically mention feeling comfortable and safe. A couple of reviews note rough ocean conditions and communication hiccups, but the overwhelming majority describe professional, friendly service and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that justify the trip from out of town or even flying in specifically for these expeditions.
We spent 3 days on the water with Net Zero Expeditions and had a great time! It is obvious they are passionate about the ocean and all the creatures that call it home. Manolo has eagle eyes and has an uncanny ability to spot things from far away. We thought it was great that they made an effort to keep the ocean clean, stopping to pick up floating garbage along our route. Mother nature rewarded us with hundreds of common and bottlenose dolphins, 7 mola molas (including one that fully breached), a fin whale, tope sharks, and a giant black sea bass. Keep in mind the open ocean is not a zoo and an element of luck is needed but we were very happy that we chose to go with these guys. They work hard to please and we have some amazing memories as a result! Thanks Manolo, Captain Jack and Captain Scott! I can't wait to come back to see more with you guys in the future!
Becky Clark
September 14, 2025
We spent 3 days on the water with Net Zero Expeditions and had a great time! It is obvious they are passionate about the ocean and all the creatures that call it home. Manolo has eagle eyes and has an uncanny ability to spot things from far away. We thought it was great that they made an effort to keep the ocean clean, stopping to pick up floating garbage along our route. Mother nature rewarded us with hundreds of common and bottlenose dolphins, 7 mola molas (including one that fully breached), a fin whale, tope sharks, and a giant black sea bass. Keep in mind the open ocean is not a zoo and an element of luck is needed but we were very happy that we chose to go with these guys. They work hard to please and we have some amazing memories as a result! Thanks Manolo, Captain Jack and Captain Scott! I can't wait to come back to see more with you guys in the future!
Becky Clark
September 14, 2025