
PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 7 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission worth booking?
PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission is a 1.3-hour experience in San Diego, United States, from $35 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 7 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (7)
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- From
- $35 per person
PCF 816 is a tangible reminder of the service and dedication of so many Swift Boat sailors and allows visitors the opportunity to better understand what they sacrificed. The Swift Boat Sailors Association brought the PCF
What you get
About this experience
PCF 816 is a tangible reminder of the service and dedication of so many Swift Boat sailors and allows visitors the opportunity to better understand what they sacrificed. The Swift Boat Sailors Association brought the PCF 816 Swift Boat to the Maritime Museum of San Diego to be restored and operated on San Diego Bay. Museum visitors now can experience the sound and throbbing vibration from two V12 diesels delivering 980 horsepower for high speed runs through the Bay while retired Swift Boat Sailors and docents talk about what it was like to be a crewman in Vietnam, serving as a Quartermaster, Gunner’s Mate, Engineman, Radarman, Bosun’s Mate or Skipper. The Navy first used them on coastal patrol as a part of Operation Market Time to interdict seaborne supplies on their way to the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army in South Vietnam. Later, the boats moved into the rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta and the Ca Mau peninsula to conduct special operations.
What's included
Included
- General Admission Ticket
- PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour
What you'll see and do
Be a part of history, ride the only active passenger carrying Swift Boat in the country. Feel the power of the twin 12 cylinder 2-stroke Detroit Diesels as you take a behind the scenes 75 minute narrated tour of San Diego’s military history. The Naval History Bay Tour route takes visitors under the Coronado Bay Bridge, Naval Base San Diego, and then Naval Amphibious Base. The Swift Boat Captain and Crew then head back by the aircraft carrier basin and Naval Air Station North Island before returning to the Museum. Your tour includes a high speed run to feel the unique power of the Swift Boat. This is a narrated tour describing PCF 816’s role in the U.S., Malta, Viet Nam, Swift Boat sailors, and the above establishments on the Bay.
75 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
San Diego
Please check in at the Museum Ticket Booth located on the embarcadero in front of the Maritime Museum. Staff will direct you to the waiting area for the Swift Boat History Bay Tour.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Please check in at the Museum Ticket Booth located on the embarcadero in front of the Maritime Museum. Staff will direct you to the waiting area for the Swift Boat History Bay Tour.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 7 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
7 verified traveler reviews for PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Tour Ever!!
We have done all of the boat tours in San Diego and this was by far the best! Very educational!! Been coming here 30 years and learned more on this tour than ever before!!
Response from the operator: Wow! We just love to hear these kind words from our PCF 816 Swift boat Vietnam-era passengers! Yes, we absolutely agree. Our docent volunteer veterans are unmatched in sharing their stories serving aboard the Swift boats. We hope more visitors add the Swift boat tour to their general admission ticket for the weekend!
via Viator
Couldn't hear
Couldn’t hear the guide. Due to the noise of the boat there should be some type of headset to hear the history and facts presented on the tour. Otherwise it was an expensive boat ride.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing your thoughts about your Swift boat experience. We are working on improving the audio quality of this exceptional narrated tour aboard the PCF 816 Swift boat. We hope that you return soon to compare the changes made!
via Viator
San Diego on a river patrol boat from the Vietnam War
The San Diego Maritime Museum conducts a tour around the San Diego Harbor listening to historical commentary on the Vietnam War river patrol boat. The shallow draft allows you to approach relatively close compared to a large pleasure boat, and on the sea surface where there are no other ships or obstacles around, you can increase the speed to 25 knots and experience the combat speed of bygone days. I wanted to get on the day before I left, but it was full and I wanted to give up, and the museum staff said, "I'll leave your stuff here."
Response from the operator: Thank you for joining us on the PCF 816 Swift boat Naval History Tour. Adding this educational experience to general admission is a wonderful choice.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
Swift Boat Tour Best Way To See The Harbor
We were going to catch a ferry as a way of seeing the bay, but are so glad that we went on the Swift Boat tour instead. We saw an awesome array of US Naval Boats- but best of all was the narration from the Veteran Swift Boat guides. Incredibly informative. A wonderful 2 hours on the water.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for visiting the Maritime Museum of San Diego and joining the PCF 816 Swift boat crew for our Naval History Bay Tour! Indeed this tour is the perfect experience for those wanting a narrated naval sightseeing tour experience! Added to general admission ticket on the weekends now for only $15 more!
via Tripadvisor
Awesome Ships!
We went for a "few hours" and ended up spending all day! These ships were incredibly well preserved. It was neat to be able to see them all up close. We booked the harbor cruise with our ticket, and enjoyed that, as well.
Response from the operator: Thank you for visiting and sharing your compliments about your experience at the maritime museum!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $35 to $48
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for San Diego.
How much does PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission cost?
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Prices start at $35 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in San Diego usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission take?
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Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in San Diego is not rushed.
Is PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 7 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in San Diego, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in San Diego can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in San Diego and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does PCF 816 Swift Boat Naval History Bay Tour with General Admission start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central San Diego within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in San Diego?
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San Diego is an outdoor-first city: whale watching from December through April, La Jolla kayak and snorkel runs year round, harbour cruises and the USS Midway, plus Balboa Park museums when the marine layer sits low. We rank water operators on group ratios and gear quality, which is where the cheap La Jolla trips fall down. On Outty we rank every San Diego experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include USS Midway Museum Admission: Valid Any Date, Taste of Little Italy in San Diego, San Diego Whale Watching Cruise. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit San Diego?
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March to May and September to November, either side of the June overcast. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in San Diego?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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