
Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 65 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara worth booking?
Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara is a 1-hour experience in Santa Barbara, United States, from $189 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 65 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (65)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $189 per person
The only all-electric Duffy charter boat in Santa Barbara. Price includes captain. Whisper is USCG certified to carry up to 6 passengers (max). Trip is fully private with your guests only. Bring your own appetizers, beer, and wine (no corkage fee!) This is primarily a harbor-based cruise. When conditions are favorable, Whisper can also go out around Stearns Wharf. Boarding is 5 mins prior to departure. If you miss scheduled departure time, the tour is not extended.
What you get
About this experience
The only all-electric Duffy charter boat in Santa Barbara. Price includes captain. Whisper is USCG certified to carry up to 6 passengers (max). Trip is fully private with your guests only. Bring your own appetizers, beer, and wine (no corkage fee!) This is primarily a harbor-based cruise. When conditions are favorable, Whisper can also go out around Stearns Wharf. Boarding is 5 mins prior to departure. If you miss scheduled departure time, the tour is not extended.
What's included
Included
- fully private boat ride through harbor (for up to 6 passengers)
- English guide
What you'll see and do
Santa Barbara Maritime Museum
The only all-electric charter boat in Santa Barbara. Price includes captain. Whisper is USCG certified to carry up to 6 passengers (max). Bring your own appetizers, beer, and wine. There is no corkage fee! This is primarily a harbor-based cruise. When conditions are favorable, Whisper can also go out around Stearns Wharf.
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Santa Barbara
Whisper boards on the dock in front of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum at 113 Harbor Way. Stand on the front steps of the museum & look down to where boats are docked in the water. You will see a sign for Whisper. Boarding is 5 minutes prior to departure.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Whisper boards on the dock in front of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum at 113 Harbor Way. Stand on the front steps of the museum & look down to where boats are docked in the water. You will see a sign for Whisper. Boarding is 5 minutes prior to departure.
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Boat Rides in Santa Barbara
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 65 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
65 verified traveler reviews for Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Intimate celebration on an electric boat
We had a wonderful time cruising around the harbor. Our captain Dustin made it interesting and shared local info. We were celebrating and Dustin made it happen. We highly recommend taking this tour again.
Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review, Heather! We’re so glad you had a great time celebrating with us. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Dustin. We hope to have you back aboard again soon!
via Tripadvisor
Such a great boat ride!
We had the best time on this boat last night! It's such a cute boat, and our captain Dustin was amazing. Friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole trip so much fun. We went out with a group of girls and had a blast the entire time. As if the experience wasn't already great, we got to see seals and sea lions out on the water, which was such a treat. Highly recommend if you're looking for a fun night out on the water!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the amazing review, Kelli! We’re so glad you and your girls had a blast and that Dustin helped make the experience extra special. Those seals and sea lions were the perfect bonus! Hope to see you back on the water soon!
via Viator
Delightful Harbor Tour
Our Captain Guide was delightful. He was well informed, with entertaining and interesting anecdotes about Santa Barbara, the Harbor, Stearns Wharf, beautiful yachts, and the history of deep sea diving and the development of the sea urchin trade. He was flexible according to the interests of his two guests. For instance, our Captain was happy to stop for ten minutes so that we could enjoy watching two sea lions compete for a basking space big enough for only one of them.
Response from the operator: Thank you for sharing such a thoughtful review! We’re delighted you enjoyed the Captain’s engaging stories and the special sea lion encounter. It’s wonderful to hear that the experience was tailored to your interests and truly memorable!
via Tripadvisor
We had such a phenomenal...
We had such a phenomenal time on our ride with Dustin. Definitely a highlight of our trip for sure. The ride was smooth, the views were great, and the yacht rock playlist was even better. Loved that we were able to see some sea lions, seals, etc. 10/10 recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much, Averie! We’re thrilled you had such a memorable time with Dustin and enjoyed the smooth ride, beautiful views, yacht rock, and wildlife sightings. We truly appreciate the 10/10 recommendation!
via Viator
Perfect activity for your guests
Perfect little boat ride! We took out of town guests and they loved it!
Response from the operator: Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad you and your guests had a great time on the cruise. We hope to see you again!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Boat Rides in Santa Barbara, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.8.
See everything Boat Rides in Santa Barbara runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Barbara.
How much does Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara cost?
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Prices start at $189 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Barbara usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara take?
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Plan for about 1 hour 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 Santa Barbara is not rushed.
Is Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 65 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Barbara, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara?
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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 Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara?
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Around 23 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara?
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Santa Barbara runs wine tours into the Santa Ynez Valley, harbour sailing and whale watching, Channel Islands day trips, and Spanish colonial walking tours through the Presidio and Mission. Tasting-room access and group size make the biggest difference in wine tours here. On Outty we rank every Santa Barbara experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Santa Barbara Electric Bike Tour, Kayak Tour of Santa Barbara with Experienced Guide, Small-Group Wine Tour in Santa Barbara to Exclusive Vineyards. 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 Santa Barbara?
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March to June and September to November, dodging the May and June marine layer. 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 Santa Barbara?
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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.
What is included in Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara?
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Included: fully private boat ride through harbor (for up to 6 passengers); and English guide. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara?
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Whisper boards on the dock in front of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum at 113 Harbor Way. Stand on the front steps of the museum & look down to where boats are docked in the water. You will see a sign for Whisper. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Private Harbor Cruise on Electric Boat in Santa Barbara?
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Across 65 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, good for families. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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