Charter Excursions
(All Charters are captained by a highly experienced and
knowledgeable U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain.)
"I just wanted to say "thanks" for a marvelous day trip last Monday. My nephews and I had an incredible time...the stuff of lifetime memories." Kristen Heimer, Johnny & Michael Trolander
Call Today to Book your Reservation
(619) 808-2822
Gift Certificates Available!
Choose from one of the exciting Charter Excursions listed below: (Up to 6 passengers)
Whale Watching (Seasonal)
Recommended Charter Time: 3 Hours
"Captain Ken, thanks for the tip, it was great!
The whale and dolphin watching trips organized by Ken Manzoni, Adventure Rib Rides are highly professional and productive, and with especial care to avoid disturbances to the animals and the surrounding environments. I highly recommend his trips, especially for keen observers.”
Hadoram Shirihai
Author: Whales, Dolphins and Seals of the World
-Pacific Gray Whale Watching Season: December - April
-Blue Whales can be seen during the Summer off of the San Diego Coast
-Humpback, Sei and Finn Whales can be seen at times farther Offshore and around the Coronado Islands, Mexico
Experience a fast paced and thrilling ride out to the Pacific Ocean, visiting a rookery of California Sea Lions along the way. Within a quick 20 minutes of departing from Harbor Island, you will pass Point Loma and enter the Pacific Ocean, where your whale watching adventure will begin. The R.I.B offers an intimate on-the-water experience and its low profile allows you to get up close and personal with the California Gray Whales (Eschrichtius robustus) as they pass by the San Diego's shoreline on their annual migration to the warmer waters of Mexico.
Adventure Rib Rides' highly experienced U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain will draw on his vast knowledge and experience to find the best vantage for whale watching. The Captain will also serve as onboard naturalist, relaying a wealth of information about the natural history and migratory habits of the California Gray Whale.
Large herds of Pacific White-sided and Bottlenose dolphins are frequently seen offshore, feeding on an abundance of bait fish. The extremely playful dolphins come right up to the R.I.B., and seem to love to ride our bow wave and stern wake.
Be sure to ask about other whale watching opportunities during the rest of the year, when Blue, Finn and Sei Whales inhabit the waters farther offshore and around the Coronado Islands.
Naval Heritage
and Maritime History Tours of San Diego Bay
Recommended Charter Time: 2 Hours
Enjoy a thrilling tour of San Diego Bay and learn about the area’s rich naval and maritime heritage from our knowledgeable U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain. You will see all the great naval and historical sights that San Diego has to offer from the Navy SEAL Amphibious Base on Coronado Island to the Pacific Ocean.
See the Submarine Base & Navy Ships
See the Old & New Point Loma Lighthouses
Ride the waves past Pt. Loma into the Pacific Ocean
Watch the Navy's trained dolphins at work
Venture under the magnificent Coronado Bridge to the Naval Amphibious Base, where the Navy SEALS train
Experience the Midway from the water as you cruise underneath the Flight Deck
Get up close to Sea Lions
Cruise along the Embarcadero and view the incredible collection of historic Ships at the San Diego Maritime Museum
Dolphin Tours
Recommended Charter Time: 2 to 3 Hours
Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) frolic and play so close to the Adventure Rib, that a passenger reaches over the side to pet them.
All year long we see very friendly Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), the extremely gregarious and inquisitive Long-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus capensis) that often surround the boat in play, their close relatives the Short-beaked Common Dolphins (Delphinus delphis),and the always frolicking Pacific White-sided Dolphins (Lagenorhynchus obliquidens). This year, there has also been a herd of Risso's Dolphins (Grampus griesus) that have taken up residence just offshore. These dolphins are typically a tropical, pelagic species and so it is unusual to find them at this latitude.
We often encounter herds of common dolphin numbering in the hundreds just offshore. The dolphins seem to enjoy playing the bow and stern wake of the Adventure R.I.B. and often seem to get so close that you could almost reach out and touch them..
Eco-Tour to the Coronado Islands, Mexico
Recommended Charter Time: 3 Hours
Explore the natural beauty and incredibly diverse marine ecosystem of the Coronado Islands (Mexico) on this unforgettable Eco-Tour. A nature preserve just 15 miles from the entrance to San Diego Bay, the Coronado Islands are a mecca for marine life due to the upwelling of warm ocean currents that occur there. After an exhilarating ride, you will enjoy an intimate on-the-water experience, for the R.I.B.’s low profile allows you to get up close and personal to the rich marine life. Year round we see Sea Lions, Seals, Dolphins, Elephant Seals, Sailfish (Mola mola), Pelicans, Storm Petrels, Oyster Catchers, and even several different species of whales including Grey Whales, Blue Whales, Sei and Humpback Whales.
Ocean Excursion to Mission Bay and/or La Jolla
Recommended Charter Time:
Minimum 3 Hours Roundtrip to Mission Bay
Minimum 4 Hours Roundtrip to La Jolla
Explore a beautiful and dramatic stretch of California Coastline from Pt. Loma to Mission Bay and/or La Jolla, while enjoying an exhilarating and fast paced ride in the Pacific Ocean, that will give you a thrill of a lifetime, as you leave civilization behind for a short while. Enjoy an intimate on-the-water experience as you get up close and personal to the abundant marine life and natural beauty of this strip of California shoreline.
Dock for lunch at one of the many excellent restaurants in Mission Bay or drop anchor near the beach and have a relaxing picnic lunch on board the R.I.B. as you soak in the sun’s rays. Enjoy the rugged and dramatic backdrop of La Jolla Cove or La Jolla Shores for lunch.
Both one-way and Roundtrip Excursions are available on excursions to Mission Bay.
Snorkel & Scuba Adventures
Take a thrilling R.I.B. trip out to the Coronado Islands (Mexico) for an amazing snorkeling experience with a Certified Dive Master. Enjoy snorkeling in the rich and diverse marine eco-system that thrives around the islands, which provide some of the most pristine diving in the region.
All snorkeling and scuba equipment (including wetsuits) can be provided. A Certification card is required for anyone scuba diving.
Advance Reservations are required.
Wildlife Tours
Recommended Carter Time: 2-3 Hours
Explore the natural wonders and learn about the marine ecosystem and natural history of San Diego Bay and surrounding waters from the marshlands of South Bay to the dramatic cliffs of Point Loma. When Dolphin are around, they love to come right up to the R.I.B. to play.
Watch the Navy's trained dolphins at work.
Visit Sea Lions and shore birds in their natural environment
Explore off shore to see numerous species of whales and dolphins.
Be sure to ask about other whale watching opportunities during the Spring & Summer. (When Blue, Finn and Sei Whales inhabit the waters a little farther offshore.)
Nautical Themed Treasure Hunts:
Recommended Charter Time: Minimum 2 Hours
Looking for something fun, unique and adventurous for a birthday party or corporate team building event? Try our Nautical Themed Treasure Hunt. Test your problem solving abilities, observational prowess and hands-on seamanship skills, as you follow a series of clues around the Bay that have you solving riddles, completing tasks and answering trivia questions.
The dynamic and fast paced Extreme Adventure Game offers a combination of physical and mental challenges with elements of Survivor, The Amazing Race and a Treasure Hunt rolled into one.
Have a large group -- NO PROBLEM! Charter multiple boats through Adventure Rib Rides for a fun, fast paced race to the finish. The team with the most correct answers and best time WINS!
Kids' Adventure Games
Recommended Charter Time: Minimum 2 Hours
Adventure Rib Rides offers a Nautical Themed Treasure Hunt Game and a Pirate Treasure Hunt for kids, which are great fun for birthday parties and special occasions. The Treasure Hunt Game is a fun and novel way to explore San Diego Bay, and has kids problem solving and learning hands-on seamanship skills as they follow a series of clues around the Bay. In the Pirate Treasure Hunt, kids follow a map as they look for clues around the Bay that will lead them to a hidden treasure chest. (Multiple R.I.B.s are available for larger groups.)
Lunch & Dinner Packages
Whether you would like Adventure Rib Rides to have lunch & dinner catered for you on the R.I.B., or you would prefer to be dropped off at one of San Diego Bay’s Dock & Dine locations, Adventure Rib Rides can accommodate your needs.
For Dock & Dine locations around the Bay, please click here.
Due to the adventurous nature of our
charters, we do not recommend them for pregnant women, persons
with back, neck or heart problems or children under 5 years of
age.
