Top 5 Things to See From San Diego Bay- From a Sunset Charters Duffy Boat
There’s sightseeing in San Diego… and then there’s seeing it from the water aboard a quiet, luxurious Sunset Charters Duffy Boat Tour. When you’re gliding across the bay with the skyline on one side and the Pacific opening up on the other, the city’s landmarks hit a little differently. Bigger. Brighter. More cinematic.
If you’re joining us for a San Diego Bay Cruise, here are the top 5 things you’ll see from the water — each one iconic in its own way and even better when viewed from the comfort of your own private electric Duffy Boat.
1. The Star of India - A Living Piece of Maritime History
One of the most striking sights from your Sunset Charters cruise is the Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world. Watching this 1863 iron-hulled beauty from the water feels like sailing straight into a different century. Its tall masts and intricate rigging look even more impressive with the modern skyline behind it and sunlight reflecting off the bay.
If historic ships ignite your imagination, this one will feel like a time machine floating peacefully beside you.
2. USS Midway Museum - The Giant of San Diego Bay
Just beyond the Star of India is the mammoth USS Midway Museum, a retired aircraft carrier that now serves as one of San Diego’s most famous attractions. You simply don’t grasp the scale of this ship until you’re cruising beside it with its flight deck towering overhead, its silhouette dominating the waterfront.
From a Duffy Boat, you get the perfect perspective: close enough to feel its enormity, distant enough to appreciate its place in the city’s naval legacy.
3. The “Kissing Statue” - Unconditional Surrender
As you continue through the bay, you’ll spot the beloved Unconditional Surrender statue, better known as the Kissing Statue. The towering sculpture captures the jubilant kiss that marked the end of World War II, and from the water, it looks perfectly framed against the city and sky.
It’s whimsical, romantic, and one of the most photogenic stops along your cruise.
4. San Diego’s Waterfront Architecture - The Rady Shell & Convention Center
San Diego Bay is home to some of the city’s most impressive modern architecture, and the waterfront offers the best viewing angle.
From your Duffy Boat, you’ll get spectacular views of:
- Rady Shell — a sleek outdoor concert venue shaped like a sculpted sail
- San Diego Convention Center — an architectural landmark anchoring downtown’s waterfront
Seen from the bay, these buildings are even more striking: clean lines, sweeping curves, and reflections that ripple across the water.
5. The Coronado Bridge - A Curving Icon Over the Bay
Finally, no cruise on San Diego Bay is complete without taking in the Coronado Bridge, one of the city's most recognizable structures. Its elegant 2.1-mile arc floats above the water and glows beautifully during golden hour.
From your Sunset Charters Duffy Boat, you get a postcard-perfect view of the bridge stretching gracefully above you — a classic San Diego moment if there ever was one.
See San Diego the Way It Was Meant to Be Seen
A Sunset Charters Duffy Boat cruise isn’t just a tour - it’s a front-row seat to San Diego’s most iconic sights. From maritime history to modern architecture, naval legends to romantic landmarks, the bay delivers a highlight reel of everything that makes the city extraordinary.
And when you’re experiencing it from a quiet, comfortable electric Duffy Boat?
It’s not just sightseeing… it’s a vibe.
Ready to see San Diego Bay in its best light?
Your private cruise awaits. 🌅
