- USS Midway Museum: You’ll pass the historic aircraft carrier now serving as the USS Midway Museum, one of San Diego’s most recognizable waterfront landmarks. Guides explain the ship’s long naval service and how it became a floating museum showcasing naval aviation history.
- Port of San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal: This busy terminal is where major cruise ships dock before departing for destinations such as Mexico and the Pacific coast.
- Maritime Museum of San Diego: The Maritime Museum of San Diego features historic ships, including restored sailing vessels and submarines that illustrate the region’s rich maritime heritage.
- San Diego International Airport: The tour passes near the airport, known for its runway located just minutes from downtown. From the harbor, you can often watch planes taking off and landing low over the bay.
- Spanish Landing Park (West): Spanish Landing Park commemorates the landing of early Spanish explorers in the region.
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Quick overview
- Ways to experience: Open-air amphibious vehicles offering 100-min narrated tours that combine a land drive and harbor cruise.
- Additional access: Accessible fleets with manual lifts are available at the Seaport Village port.
- Unique experiences: Enjoy a splashdown in San Diego Bay and close-up views of sea lions and naval vessels.
- When to book: Reserve 2-3 weeks in advance, especially on summer weekends when tours rapidly sell out.
- Good to know: Arrive 30 minutes early for boarding; the tour lasts approximately 90 minutes.
- Best upgrade: Combine with the Old Town Trolley Tour for extended city exploration for 1 day.
What to expect on your San Diego SEAL Tour
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Land-to-water adventure in an amphibious vehicle
Experience a unique sightseeing journey aboard a specially designed amphibious vehicle that travels on both roads and water. Your tour begins with a scenic drive through San Diego’s streets before the vehicle transitions directly into the harbor for the second half of the experience.
100-minute fully narrated sightseeing tour
Listen to the narration about San Diego’s history, landmarks, and waterfront culture. Expect entertaining stories, local insights, and engaging explanations that bring the city’s past and present to life.
Views of major San Diego landmarks
During the land portion of the tour, you’ll pass notable neighborhoods and landmarks while learning about San Diego’s maritime heritage. Once on the water, enjoy wide views of the skyline, naval activity, and the working harbor.
Harbor cruise with wildlife spotting opportunities
As the vehicle cruises through the harbor, keep an eye out for San Diego’s famous marine life, such as sea lions resting along the docks and seabirds flying overhead. Your Captain points out wildlife and explains how the harbor ecosystem supports these animals.
Open-air vehicle seating for unobstructed sightseeing
The amphibious vehicles feature open-air seating, allowing clear views for photos and sightseeing along the route. This design helps you stay connected to the surroundings as you move through both city streets and harbor waters.
Family-friendly tour with engaging commentary
The narration incorporates humor, trivia, and interactive elements that make the tour enjoyable for visitors of all ages. The storytelling style keeps both adults and children engaged throughout the experience.
Option to combine with the Old Town Trolley Tour for extended exploration
You can add the Old Town Trolley Tour access for a day, allowing you to continue exploring San Diego after the SEAL Tour. This hop-on hop-off trolley route stops at major attractions, giving you the flexibility to see more of the city at your own pace.
Your San Diego SEAL Tour route explained
Your tour covers 40 minutes on land and then about an hour on water in the San Diego Bay. The sights you will see include the following:
Land
San Diego Bay
- Shelter Island Pier: Shelter Island Pier stretches into the bay and is well known for fishing and scenic harbor views. As you pass by, you may see anglers casting lines while boats move through the nearby marina.
- Point Loma: Point Loma forms a natural barrier that protects San Diego Bay and offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Your guide explains its importance to navigation, military history, and coastal defense.
- Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery: Located on the hills of Point Loma, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery overlooks the ocean and the entrance to the bay. It serves as the resting place for thousands of US service members and veterans.
Highlights of your San Diego SEAL Tours
Spot sea lions along the harbor docks
Watch for sea lions lounging on floating docks and harbor structures as your vehicle cruises through San Diego Bay. Guides often point them out and share interesting facts about their behavior.
Plan your visit
- Tours start at: 10am
- Final tour starts at: 3:30pm
- Tour duration: 100 minutes (approximately), with 40 minutes on land and 60 minutes on the water
- Closed on: Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
- Trolley Tour access: 1-day ticket (12am to 12am)
Please note: The tour timings and frequency are subject to change based on seasonal factors and availability.
Embarcadero: 1004 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA | Find on Maps
- Closest bus stop: Santa Fe Depot (0.5 miles)
- Closest rail station: Santa Fe Depot (0.3 miles)
- Parking: 901 Bayfront Court (partial validation available) (0.3 miles)
Seaport Village: 500 Kettner Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101, USA | Find on Maps
- Closest bus stop: 1st Av & G St (0.6 miles)
- Closest rail station: Convention Center Station (0.4 miles)
- Parking: Seaport Village Parking Lot (partial validation with a minimum $10 purchase from Seaport Village) (2-min walk)
- Guide onboard: A professional guide accompanies every tour, providing live narration, safety instructions, and information about San Diego’s landmarks, harbor activity, and local history throughout the experience.
- US Coast Guard-approved vehicle: The amphibious vehicles used for the tour are inspected and approved by the US Coast Guard to ensure they meet required safety standards for both land travel and harbor navigation.
- Accessible boarding point at Seaport Village: Tours depart from an accessible boarding location at Seaport Village, with a 24-hour notice for a manual lift for boarding.
- Follow guide instructions at all times: Passengers must listen to and follow all instructions provided by the onboard guide, especially during boarding and the vehicle’s transition from land into the harbor.
- Remain seated during the water entry and exit: For safety, all passengers must stay seated while the amphibious vehicle launches into the water and when it returns to land.
- Keep hands and belongings inside the vehicle: Passengers should keep their hands, arms, and personal items securely inside the vehicle to avoid accidents while traveling on roads and waterways.
- Children must be supervised by adults: Young passengers should remain seated and accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the duration of the tour.
- Choose earlier departures for clearer harbor views: Morning and early afternoon tours often offer clearer skies and calmer water conditions. This can make sightseeing and photography more enjoyable.
- Sit near the outer edge for better views: Seats along the sides of the vehicle generally provide the best angles for photos and harbor views. If you want unobstructed views, try boarding early to choose your seat.
- Listen for wildlife sightings during the harbor cruise: Guides frequently point out sea lions, seabirds, and other harbor wildlife. Keep your camera ready once the vehicle enters the water.
- Pair the tour with nearby waterfront attractions: Many tours depart from San Diego’s Embarcadero, where you’ll find museums, parks, and harbor walks. Planning a visit to nearby attractions before or after your tour helps make the most of the area.
- Consider the combo tour for a full day of sightseeing: If you want to explore more of the city, booking a SEAL Tour combined with a trolley tour allows you to see additional neighborhoods and landmarks across San Diego.
- Bring ear protection for younger children if they are sensitive to noise: Harbor activity, aircraft overhead, and the vehicle engine can occasionally be loud. Ear protection may help younger children stay comfortable during the tour.
📝Your checklist for a smooth San Diego SEAL Tour experience
✅Arrive early for check-in: Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled departure (1 hour during peak season and weekends) to allow time for ticket validation and boarding instructions. SEAL tours depart on a fixed schedule, and late arrivals may miss the departure.
✅Bring a light jacket or windbreaker: Even on warm days, conditions on the water can feel cooler due to wind and ocean breezes. A light layer helps keep you comfortable during the harbor portion of the tour.
✅Carry sun protection: The open-air vehicle means you may be exposed to direct sunlight for much of the tour. Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat to stay comfortable during the land and water segments.
✅Keep your camera or phone ready: The transition from road to water and the harbor views provide great photo opportunities. Make sure your phone or camera is charged and easily accessible.
✅Secure loose belongings: Since the vehicle moves from city streets into the harbor, keep bags and loose items secured near your seat. This prevents items from shifting during turns or while the vehicle enters the water.
✅Check weather conditions beforehand: Tours typically run in most weather conditions, but it helps to dress appropriately depending on the forecast. Comfortable clothing and practical footwear make the experience more enjoyable.
✅Review accessibility and seating details: Amphibious vehicles have step-up entry and bench-style seating. If anyone in your group has mobility concerns, check accessibility details for the boarding point (Seaport Village offers accessible boarding with prior notice) when booking to ensure the tour suits your needs.
Frequently asked questions about San Diego SEAL Tours
It’s best to book at least a week or two in advance, especially during weekends, holidays, and peak tourist seasons. Popular departure times can sell out quickly, particularly in the summer months.
Morning and early afternoon departures typically offer clearer views of the harbor and city skyline. Late afternoon tours can also be enjoyable, especially if you prefer slightly cooler temperatures.
Most SEAL tours run for approximately 100 minutes. The experience includes both a land drive through parts of the city and a harbor cruise once the amphibious vehicle enters the water.
Yes, the tours are family-friendly and designed to be engaging for visitors of all ages. The vehicle’s transition from land to water and the interactive guide commentary are especially popular with kids.
Comfortable clothing and practical footwear are recommended. Because the vehicle is open-air and part of the tour takes place on the water, bringing a light jacket and sun protection is helpful.
Yes, you can combine the SEAL Tour with an Old Town Trolley Tour. This allows you to explore additional parts of San Diego using hop-on hop-off stops throughout the city.
