What time of year can you see dolphins in San Diego?
Dolphins can be seen year-round in San Diego, but the best times for dolphin tours tend to be during the warmer months, from late spring through early fall. During this period, dolphins are more active, feeding closer to the surface and interacting with tour boats. Because dolphins live off the coast year-round, there’s no “wrong” time to book. That said, they tend to be most active in the morning and late afternoon, when water conditions are calm and the lighting is ideal for spotting movement at the surface.
Can you see orcas in San Diego?
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A rare pod of orcas was spotted near Point Loma on Wednesday, delighting local whale watchers. This group usually returns once or twice a year, and Friday could offer another chance to see them in the wild. While collectively around 50,000 orcas roam the planet’s waters, the southern resident ecotype found in the Pacific Northwest faces extinction. As of 2025, there are only 73 animals left across three pods, and conservation efforts focus on determining threats to their existence, as well as how to mitigate them.