Here’s a fun San Diego Harbor experience: take a Speed Boat Adventure Tour where you get to drive the speed boat. This is a 13-mile Big Bay guided and narrated tour with a twist. You drive your own speedboat while following a trained guide who will keep you safe and regale you with stories.
This was a lot of fun when we did it with local friends and out of town guests, and it makes a great birthday gift.
We enjoyed views of the Coronado Bridge, Navy Ships and Aircraft Carriers, Seaport Village, The Star of India, historic ships of the Maritime Museum, the downtown skyline and the San Diego Sea Lions. Between speeding and slowing, we had time to take photos.
You can save $14 per ticket when you get them via one of our savvy partner sites (see below). Go in October and you can take two kids (per adult) along free as part of San Diego’s “Kids Free October” program.
The tour includes:
Your own F13 mini speed boat- USCG approved life jacket
- Bottled water
- Instructions on boating basics
- professionally trained guide
DISCOUNT TICKETS: You can always buy direct, but one of our savvy partners often has a discount (check current offers here) discount on Print-at-Home, Go Any Day Tickets. (Note the expiration date.) No coupon.
Know Before You Go
- Location: Speed Boat Adventures, 1450 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101.
- Departure Times: Daily Departure Times: 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm and 5pm. Get there 20-30 minutes before departure.
- Savvy Tips: To make your tour even savvier …
- Wear a swimsuit in the summer and a jacket in the winter, sandals or flip-flops, and sunglasses. Bring a towel.Each boat can carry up to two adults and one child, with a total weight limit of 500lbs. A small child (under 50lbs) can sit in the middle. You must be 18 years or older to drive a boat by yourself.
- You can switch driver any time you want. And you can do your own thing on the tour — the guide is there in case you have trouble or need supervision, and to point out the major landmarks.
- Book one of the earlier tours, if possible, to avoid delays. If a tour before yours gets held up (by slow drivers, too many stalls, etc.), you’ll have to wait.
- You can use the boat’s do storage compartment to stash a bag, but it might still get wet.
