A fantastic day on the water! Troy, Diana and the crew are fantastic! Informative, attentive and knowledgeable a must do in San Diego!!!!

We had a wonderful day with Next Level Sailing. We saw dolphin, grey whale, and several mother and baby orca pairs. We also learned a lot about the San Diego area, about sailing, and about whales. The crew are just lovely, and our captain was all about providing information and education for anyone interested. The boat is beautiful, and so much quieter than other boats we've been on. Provided a much more intimate experience with the whales and the environment. read more

What a great day! It was unusually hot here in San Diego, so getting out on the water was the best move. The Captain and lead naturalist were so informative, pointing out different landmarks along our way out to sea. We had the fortune of sighting two blue whales. It was quite a thrill! Highly recommend! read more

This was such a great tour. The captain and crew were incredible! I was one of the lucky ones that got sea sick and the crew was kind and caring and kept making sure I was ok! The captain gave some great info about whales, sea life, the ocean and buildings that we could see. The crew was friendly and worked well together, even helping out the newer guy. Highly recommend! read more

The crew was amazing and the boat was beautiful. We were able to see sea lions, dolphins, a humpback and great whale. They overdelivered on my expectations. read more

Next Level Sailing - Dolphins - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

This crew is great! They work hard to make the passengers comfortable in every way: snacks, water, blankets. There is a lot of information given about the areas we sail past and the animals we may see. They have a method to find whales and we sure did spend the afternoon with a hump back whale and dolphins. Saw another whale on the way into port. It was a lovely day, every one of the crew knows a lot about sailing, the animals, the area. Best time ever- so well worth it. read more

We booked this on a whim, looking for things to do on a spring break vacation. It was a great choice! We were lucky to have a sunny, calm April morning. The boat is beautiful and spacious, and you can move freely once out of the marina. We saw countless sea lions and dolphins (some jumping right alongside the boat) and three or four instances of humpback whales! Plentiful fish made for great feeding conditions, apparently. Communication from the company ahead of time was good. Good to know: you will have to walk down a short hill and then a long dock, plus up/down a short portable ladder onto the boat, so keep this in mind if you have limited mobility. Also, there were several passengers who got seasick, even on that nice day (staff are prepared, but I strongly suggest standing and facing the horizon during the trip if you can)! Great value for the price, for sure. read more

Highly recommend! The boat ride was great. Saw a blue whale, 3 large pods of dolphin, Sea lions. The crew is very knowledgeable about the area and animals. The crew was also very caring to make sure everyone had a great trip when it came to sea sickness and viewing the animals. They even airdropped some videos if you wanted of some of the animals seen. such a great experience! read more

Great day on the water. The crew was so good and knowledgable. I really enjoyed learning some history of the America, the bay and whales. We cruised with a super chill Humpback Whale for an hour off the coast. I have been whale watching a bunch and really enjoyed this boat and crew. read more

Next Level Sailing - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

I have to agree with some others. The boat is beautiful, but very uncomfortable. The scenery is beautful, but the waves made many people sick. The boat ride out to where the whales are supposed to be took a very long time so time spent actually looking for whales was so minimal. We didn't get to see any whales. They said we could book again to watch for free, but I doubt many people actually do that. We were leaving the next day, so we won't be able to partake in that. I purchased lunch, but it was too hard to eat it. My companion was too sick to eat. The Captain seemed irritable and gruff. BUT, the four women crew were very knowledgeable and kind. They passed out buckets for the seasick passengers, blankets for the cold and passed around snacks. They are really what made the trip and the scenery! read more

Captain Troy was GREAT. Full of information on everything that pertains to the water - whales, boats, rules, history. The boat itself was magnificent. Could sit on it and sail ALL day. Not a hint of seasickness (and I usually DO get seasick). They had water and snacks on board. No reason to carry anything extra. If I'm in San Diego again, this will be on my to-do list, again! read more

We recently went on a whale watching sail and had an amazing time. This was a once in a lifetime trip for my father and I. Although we didn't see any whales we couldn't beat the experience. The crew was phenomenal--friendly and knowledgeable. They went above and beyond to make sure everyone was having a good time. I highly recommend this experience. read more

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Had a great time! Saw dolphins and blue whales, including mama and baby calf, so cool!!! The captain and crew were awesome!

Booked a whale-watching trip couple months ago via nextlevelsailing.com . Arrived at Shelter Island as check-in opened - there was no store front; found the location using the address and some temporary flags Captain Troy set out. Checked in at a park picnic table. After everyone checked in, Captain Troy led us to his boat slip. His beautiful 140'(?) wooden replica of America 1851 holds 77; we were nearly full at 75 guests. There was ample room to move around after a safety talk and leaving the San Diego bay. Our June 2022 trip was fortunate to see multiple dolphin pods and several blue whales, including a mom and calf. Captain Troy had a 4-person crew under him, who were friendly, personable and there to help throughout our voyage. Snacks included trail bars and chips; water and sodas were part of the package; beer, wine, t-shirts and beanies were for sale. Pack a lunch in a cooler if you want more than that. This outing was a great highlight of our trip. Highly recommend. read more

I had been given this as a gift card / Xmas present by my brother in law who is a professional sailer and captain, so I knew he had done his research prior. This was an exceptional gift, to say the least. We saw dolphins breaching directly out of the water - it was awesome. Definitely wear a lot of layers - it gets cold out there. I brought my parents who are in their 80's and I would say that because they are still in pretty athletic shape, they were able to manage the ladder to climb on board, etc. The crew was very helpful and there was also an option for folks to board early if they need more time, etc. so that is something to keep in mind. We brought sandwiches and snacks and were very glad we did. Although we didn't see large whales, we learned there is a guarantee, so we will definitely be back soon. I learned after-the-fact what a legend Captain Troy is, so just a note that you should read up on his bio before meeting him -- an encyclopedia of expertise on America's Cup racing and history. I recommend Next Level Sailing without reservation - they are the real deal. read more

We saw multiple dolohin pods and a humpback whale.pod. So amazing! We loved the sailing experience paired with whale watching. The smaller group size allowed for plenty of space to move around and see the dolphins and whales. Loved it! read more

We had a blast on this trip! The whole crew was very knowledgeable and made us feel right at home. They had the sweetest dog and she was so well behaved. We got lucky with the weather and saw 2 dolphins and 2 Grey whales for a long period of time we got to fallow along side them, safely of course. The ship was beautiful and very well maintained with a rich history. read more

We had a great time on the trip and loved getting to know the crew a bit as well. Will definitely be back the next time we visit San Diego!

Troy and Fathom along with their crew with treat you like family. They kept us engaged and entertained throughout the experience. And yes they do make every effort to sail towards whales wherever they spot one. Loved every second of it! read more

What an experience! Excellent crew, beautiful and unique boat, and blue whales! Definitely next level! read more

Next Level Sailing - Thar she blows! - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

Absolutely incredible experience. My boyfriend and I both said that just being on the amazing boat and sailing out to sea would have been enough, but we had the great joy of seeing so many dolphins and 3 whales!! The crew was very informative and enjoyed seeing the animals as much as the guests. Would definitely recommend this crew to anyone visiting San Diego. The boat in itself was absolutely beautiful. Great day for sure! Happy sailing! read more

Next Level Sailing - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

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Definitely go on this excursion!!! It was the best. Crew was fabulous and we saw many whales and dolphins. Will do this one again!!

We had such a good time on the America 1851, a tour well worth the money. We saw dolphins as we were leaving the marina followed by hundreds of whale mamas with their babies. The experience was perfectly intimate and kept my 3 teenagers engaged and interested. I loved the history behind the vessel and it was sooo cool to watch the hoisting of the sails. The captain and crew were extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. read more

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I can't say enough wonderful things about this whale selling tour outfit. My husband and I went whale watching on the America in November and saw hundreds and hundreds of dolphins but no whales. They allowed us to come back for free and yesterday we saw gray whales. It's nice that they have a guarantee that you can see whales on their sailboat. The crew is professional, kind, and timely. All in all I would highly recommend. I'd share it if I could but all I have are two videos of gray whale tails. The videos won't load. read more

Recently, I went on my first whale watching trip aboard the beautiful America. I am so happy that I happened to be in town just in time for the grey whale migration. I came on the trip expecting to see one whale. Imagine my glee when I saw 6 whales and a very happy seal by the end of the experience. The whole experience was about 4 hours. I tend to get seasick but the ride was so smooth that I didn't feel a thing. It gets pretty chilly out on the water so wear layers and bring a thick jacket. Light snacks and water are available for free. Pack a sandwich and enjoy lunch on the water. The crew are nice and friendly. With his pirate jokes and stories, Al is engaging and makes the whole trip that much better. If you're lucky, you'll see Louis the corgi aboard the yacht. read more

My wife and I took a Whale watching tour today with Next Level. Unfortunately no Whales, but the day was beautiful, the crew was amazing, and we had a great time. Good news is their guarantee means we get our next trip free. Can't wait! read more

Excellent adventure. Captain Troy and crew very knowledgeable and safety conscious. Fathom our host guide is very detailed in explaining everything that you will experience during the four (4) hour excursion. We did see a Gray whale frolicking at the harbor entrance as well as the Navy Seal Training compound where they were training a young seal out in the open water of the harbor. Also we observed the harbor Walrus population loitering around the bait compound. At sea we sa a Mola fish which resembles a large inflated dish about 2-3 feet across. Captain Troy is a fount of knowledge about the boat which is fascinating and the local area. Was a very enjoyable excursion and recommend it to all ages. read more

Up close and personal with whales, dolphins, and sea lions! A sailboat is the best way to do it - it's big, it's comfortable, and your really close to the water and thus the action. And action there is - on our trip on January 30, 2020 we were treated to ten grey whales, several sea lions and oh yeah - a pod of five hundred or more dolphins. Right in there with them, because a sailboat doesn't scare them off. About three feet above the water. It's like you're swimming there with them as they leap and play right next to the boat - hundreds of them. A once in a lifetime experience. Take the time and book this trip - you won't regret it read more

Next Level Sailing - Porpoises - hundreds of porpoises - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

Great 4 hours at sea looking for whales . I honestly didn't think it was possible to see them but we did.

Had a blast on our sailing. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff. We got to see a blue whale, fin whale, dolphins, and sea lions. Snacks, soda, and water are provided. Would definitely recommend!! read more

Next Level Sailing - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

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1. We saw no whales. Can't control nature so honestly it was kinda sad but no big deal. It was cool to be out on a boat and we saw a massive pod of dolphins. 2. Personally standing on the boat made me nervous so I sat... but you are either sitting on plexi glass or a hard wooden box. Very uncomfortable. 3. Tour Guide: I can't say I am huge fan. 1. He talked a lot about himself during a little presentation, it was weird. He was talking about how he was in Master and Commander with Russel Crowe. Then he was quizzing us on how many sides objects had, and then made us go around in a circle and say where we traveled that was interesting.... 2. His interaction with people is hit or miss. He asked a couple in front of everyone if one of them was fluent in English.... When some kids didn't want to sit on the floor while he was giving his presentation he was kinda rude to the kids. 3. The information about the whales was cool. The showing us pictures of whales was weird. 4. This guy knows his stuff. He gave some information about the boat and some stuff when we left but you couldn't hear. Feel like some sound system on the boat and mic would've been cool and he wouldn't have to repeat himself a millions times. He just needs to tighten up his topics and stick to boat and whale information. I would've loved to have him talk through how the sails work or any random boat knowledge. 4. Make sure if you bought a Groupon you open the voucher because it has two different addresses. It looks like they just moved but hasn't adjusted on Groupon. 5. 4 hours is too long on the boat...... it was about 30 minutes over too. Just uncomfortable. Since we didn't see a whale we are able to go back until we see a whale for free. I just don't think I will due to lack of comfort and the above listed reasons. Super cool boat though! read more

My parents took my daughter and I for a whale watching trip and it was AMAZING. The ship was clean, crew was friendly and knowledgeable and we saw a blue whale which was great. The captain was friendly and they were all great about answering questions and pointing things out. I highly recommend this tour and plan on doing this again. read more

The boat is very spacious and comfortable! We seen plenty of beautiful dolphin's, sea lions, seals and DEFINITELY WHALES. We had an amazing trip the whales were less than 20 feet away from the boat, going under and around the boat and giving us an amazing experience with their tails and jumps. The crew as well as captain takes great care of the people on board and they are all super friendly. They have snacks, medicine, a bathroom, blankets and more. The ride it's self isn't to bad the experience keeps your mind away read more

Next Level Sailing - boarding area - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

A very unique experience! Just the adventure in a replica sailing ship was worth it. We didn't see whales but did see a lot of dolphins and the views of land from the vessel are fun. The guide was knowledgeable and you could tell it's a job she really enjoys. There's a return free trip if (like us) you don't see whales. read more

Next Level Sailing - Boat Charters Near Me - San Diego, California

Good lord. I built my whole bachelorette party around this activity and it was one of the best decisions of my life. We had a blast. If you are looking for a whale watching tour pick this one- you learn so much and you get a high value for what you pay for ( you get snacks, water, pop and blankets covered) read more

Definitely a fun trip and experience. Whether you are there for the whales watching, sailing, or just relaxing on the deck, the crew is there for your every needs. We really had a great experience. read more

We took our four grandkids ages 4 to 13 and they were nervous at first but ended up loving the sail boat. Of course seeing seals, pelicans, dolphins and Brutus whales definitely added to their thrill. They raved about our adventure for hours. Fathom the tour guide was excellent, the snacks perfect and the Captain engaging. We enjoyed our time on the new "America" and the history. read more

Great trip! Crew was great, boat was very cool and to make sure we got to see a whale they stayed a bit longer!

I took my wife on a weekday date to go whale watching with them, and found we were one of only two sets of locals on board, so this will probably be of more benefit to visitors to San Diego. First, don't forget Two things that I forgot: Dramamine and sunscreen :-) The America is smooth and we'll handled, but if you tend at all toward seasickness, it may get you, especially on the outward leg, when you will be heading into the swell. For the other, it's good I grow aloe in my yard, nothing is better for a sunburn :-) The crew and captain are friendly and helpful, and made the whole trip a pleasure. We saw whales, including a breeching humpback, hundreds of dolphins, many sea lions, plus a lot of pelicans, cormorants, and other sea birds I can't identify. As a special bonus, we sailed under wind power alone for a few miles as we entered the harbor. If you want to go whale watching, I think this is the best boat to take! The fresh air is wonderful and a schooner is so much more fun than an ordinary powered tour boat. read more

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Captain Troy and his crew did an amazing job in providing us with a memorable sail on the yacht America. We are San Diegans who have never taken a local whale watching trip and are so glad that we did it with Next Level Sailing. It is a step back in time to sail on the America. It is a beautiful ship, clean, well maintained and is a smooth ride.The captain and crew imparted their knowledge of sailing, the area and local marine life. We saw several blue whales and even had the treat of seeing two tale flips as they dove down to feed. Highly recommend this trip to visitors and locals alike! read more