Sail the ocean in Santa Barbara

Private or public cruise with a captain!

Last updated: Jan 2024
  • Public cruise starting at $45; Private charter starting at $904 full day

Description

Santa Barbara Sailing Center offers a variety of many options to spend an amazing time on the water. The first option we recommend is public 2-hour sunset tour. You will see amazing coastal views and stunning sunset magic. Another option is a private charter which comes with a captain. You can rent for a few hours or for the whole day. We recommend renting a full day charter for up to 6 people. It's an amazing value and you unlock endless adventure opportunities. Captain will take you to Santa Cruz Island. You will be able to dive into crystal clear water from the boat, snorkel and hike the island. It's an unforgettable all-day adventure that you deserve!

Perfect for

For two
For groups
For parents and grownups
Chill

Good to know

$$
$$$$
Tour
Reservation required
Onsite parking
Rental

TikTok videos

Location & Hours

302 W Cabrillo Blvd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101

Show directions

Working Hours

Mon 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tue 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wed 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thu 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Fri 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sun 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

 4.7  ● Google reviews

  • Allison Corcoran

    4 weeks ago

    We booked the double dolphin sunset cruise for our group of 16. I was skeptical about a public sail for a group of this size, but it was absolutely perfect. The crew was amazing, we had smooth sailing even with some forecasted chop and 3-4 ft waves, and you could purchase drinks on board. They played nice relaxing music and everyone was able to move about freely to enjoy the views and gorgeous weather. Would absolutely book again and highly recommend as an activity to anyone visiting Santa Barbara!
  • MCK

    4 months ago

    My friend and I used a SB Sailing house credit from 6 years ago... long story, for a Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise. We called to confirm the credit was still being honored, they were very accommodating. We reserved a space for 2 on a Wednesday for the Sunset Catamaran Sailing Cruise at 6:00PM. There's a meeting spot at the SB Sailing office at the SB Habor. Paid parking is available. We were able to walk from our hotel to the meeting location. Our sail was practically a private sail. There were about maybe the most 14 people, which was so nice. The crew was a Captain and his Assistant, both were very nice Unfortunate Mother Nature did not provide any wind that evening so the Captain had to use engine power that whole evening (it was a very tame ride). The sunset was beautiful glad we did it and it wasn't crowded. I think it worth doing once. Helpful hints: We went May 6th, I wore pants and a long sleeve shirt plus wore a light weight padded jacket and I was fine. It was cold and quit a few of the other passenger were freezing. The sail boat does supply blankets and 2 restroom and drinks and snacks purchase.
  • Michelle Green

    5 months ago

    Our group of 7 girls had a fantastic time with Santa Barbara Sailing Center. We went on a whale watching tour and saw lots of dolphins, a very interesting sun fish, lots of seals and sea lions and thankfully a huge male whale! The boat was very comfortable and the staff took great care of us. Defiantly a must-do.
  • DeeJ Dad

    4 months ago

    Such an AMAZING experience from start to finish! Even though we didn’t spot whales this time, the trip was still 1000% worth it. We got to see so many playful dolphins up close and it honestly felt magical watching them swim alongside the boat! 🌊🐬 The crew was absolutely incredible — super friendly, welcoming, and made the whole experience fun for both adults and kids. Definitely very kid-friendly, which we appreciated so much traveling with little ones. They even had blankets available for everyone because it got pretty chilly out on the water, and that extra touch made the ride so much more comfortable and thoughtful. And the best part? They gave us vouchers to come back for another whale watching trip! That level of customer service alone deserves 5 stars. You can really tell they care about their guests having the best possible experience. Beautiful views, amazing vibes, unforgettable memories — we’ll definitely be back! 💙
  • Mark Felipe

    6 months ago

    The whole experience was lovely! The crew were knowledgeable and very friendly. The vessel, the Double Dolphin, was clean and spacious, and the ride out to see some sealife was easy and fun! A really nice day! Additionally, and this to my pleasant surprise, we unfortunately didn't encounter any wales, so we were all onboard provided with a 'rain-check' voucher to come back and experience the trip a second time at no cost. This is very unusual I believe. A very professional gesture made by a company that truly wants it's guests to enjoy the amazing wales crossing through the Santa Barbara channel. My wife an I were extremely happy with our experience and look forward to coming back for another run on the Double Dolphin (which we would do regardless of such a lovely gesture). A great company to go with. Highly recommended!!

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