H2... Whoah!
By Brian Bergen

With more than 70 miles of coastline, activities in San Diego are intrinsically tied to the water. Beautiful surf and tranquil bays beckon and the ways that you can enjoy them are bounded only by your sense of adventure. Whether you want to go on, in, under or over the water, there are many companies in America’s Finest City that can help.

On the Water

Personal watercraft (PWC) like Jet-Skis and Waverunners are even more popular this year, now that the manufactures have made them more environmentally friendly. With lower emissions, a quieter ride and speeds up to 60 miles per hour, a PWC is a unique and fun inducing way to see the San Diego waterfront. In addition to popular 3-seater Waverunners, Adventure Water Sports offers a ski boat package that includes a 16’-23’ ski boat, wakeboard, water skis and kneeboard. Seaforth Boat Rentals also rent PWC and boats and their small fishing boat package is an inexpensive way for up to five people to get out on the bay. They even have the bait and tackle if you need it. San Diego Jet Ski Rentals can also get you and your whole crew on a PWC and zipping around the water like a group of smiling Hells Angels.

For a more refined look at the coast, try a narrated tour of San Diego Bay. San Diego Harbor Excursion offers daily tours and also features ferry service from downtown to Coronado, along with a convenient water taxi that takes you where ever you can dock. Hornblower Cruises also offer daily tours and their Sunday Barefoot Music Cruise gets you tapping your toes by featuring live local bands, food and drinks. Combining the best of a water tour and a land-based tour is San Diego’s only amphibious adventure, the Old Town Trolley's San Diego SEAL Tour, aboard a Coast Guard approved Hydra-Terra amphibious vehicle that travels in and around
San Diego Bay.

In and Under the Water

San Diego is a top destination for surfers from all over the world – and wouldn’t it be cool to return from your vacation and say you are now a real surfer? Mission Bay Sports Center can get you started with surfboard rentals and lessons. They’ll teach you the dynamics of sitting, paddling and rolling on your board in the calm waters of Mission Bay, then you can walk across the street to the ocean and catch the ride (or rides) of your life. The Wave Waterpark in Vista has one of only two Flowriders in the region – and it creates the perfect man-made wave for those who want to test their skills in the comfort of a pool.

A whole new world literally opens up under the water and summertime is the best time to experience the beauty of what lies beneath the surface of the Pacific. La Jolla Kayak’s snorkeling tour takes you to the La Jolla Caves and waters off La Jolla Shores via kayak where adventurers anchor, snorkel and learn about local marine life.

Over the Water

If getting on and under the water isn’t enough, then getting above it all may just be for you. San Diego Parasail Adventures combines the thrills of an offshore powerboat ride, parachuting, ballooning and gliding all in one.

Whether you want to paddle, sail, glide, kick, throttle or float – San Diego has it all in sunny and warm abundance. For more information on setting up your own water adventure, see Sightseeing section.