November 10, 2026 · By CDM Yachts · 5 min read
Most CDM Yachts charters run on San Diego Bay, past the downtown skyline and the Coronado Bridge. Mission Bay, a few miles north, is a different kind of waterfront. It's a sprawling aquatic park built around beaches and islands, with a channel out to the open Pacific. It's also the only place in the fleet where a charter departs somewhere other than San Diego Bay. The McKinna 69 is a 69-foot enclosed-Skylounge yacht for up to 13 guests. Here's what you'll see.
A Park Built Mostly of Water
Mission Bay Park covers about 4,600 acres, roughly half land and half water. It has 27 miles of shoreline, making it the largest man-made aquatic park in the United States. The bay winds around several islands and points instead of running in one straight channel. A short charter here covers a lot of different scenery.
Fiesta Island and the Open Water
Fiesta Island sits near the middle of the bay, a dune-covered stretch of land with watercraft launch points. On land, it's the bay's only off-leash dog beach. From the water, it marks the open, less-developed side of Mission Bay. That's a contrast to the resorts and marinas along the shoreline.
Crown Point and Sail Bay
On the northern side of the bay, Crown Point is a well-known spot for beach volleyball. Nearby, Sail Bay has a wide running path and nightly live music at the resorts along its shore. Both are sheltered enough to stay comfortable even when the open bay has some chop.
SeaWorld and Belmont Park
SeaWorld San Diego sits along the bay's southern edge, near Sea World Drive. It's visible from the water as you cruise past. Just outside the bay, on the Mission Beach shoreline, Belmont Park's Giant Dipper roller coaster is a landmark. It's easy to pick out from the deck as the yacht nears the channel to the coast.
Out to the Coastline
Inside the bay, boats slow to 5 knots at night, near the shoreline, around docks, and under bridges. That keeps a charter here relaxed rather than rushed. For a longer trip, the McKinna 69 can head out the Mission Bay channel to the open coastline. That includes a private fishing charter, available on this yacht at an additional cost and customized around the season and target species.
Mission Bay or San Diego Bay?
The two aren't interchangeable. Choose Mission Bay for beaches, open coastline, and a quieter shoreline. Choose San Diego Bay for the downtown skyline, the USS Midway, and the Coronado Bridge, covered in our guide to San Diego Bay. Most of the fleet departs from San Diego Bay; the McKinna 69 is the exception. See our Mission Bay Yacht Charters page for the full details on booking from here.
Combining Mission Bay with a Bigger Group
The McKinna 69 holds up to 13 guests. For a bigger celebration, every other yacht in the fleet departs from San Diego Bay instead, a few miles south. That includes the 134-passenger Westport 100. If your group is split between both parts of the city, decide early which bay fits your plans. A single charter can only depart from one.
What the Yacht Offers
The McKinna 69 pairs the setting with a fully enclosed, climate-controlled Skylounge, a spacious salon, and a full galley. It also has a large cockpit, a swim platform, and an electric outdoor grill for guests who'd rather stay on deck. Charters run from 2 to 8 hours, with a 2-hour minimum. It suits a birthday charter, a corporate event, or a relaxed sunset cruise along the coastline. The Skylounge and Starlink connectivity help if a corporate agenda needs a screen.
Gray whale migration runs roughly December through April. A Mission Bay charter during that window can pair the bay's scenery with a chance at open-water sightings on the way out to the coast. See our whale-watching charters page — sightings are never guaranteed on any trip.
Choosing When to Go
A morning or midday charter suits a group that wants to be out on deck near Fiesta Island and Crown Point. A sunset charter times the run toward the coastline instead, for golden light over the Pacific. It's a different view than the downtown skyline most San Diego Bay charters are built around. Either way, your captain adjusts the route for conditions and for what the group most wants to see.
Good to Know Before You Book
- Guests may bring their own food and beverages, including alcohol.
- Every charter includes a USCG-licensed captain and crew, and life jackets are provided for every passenger.
- If weather turns unsafe for boating, we reschedule to a mutually convenient date rather than sail.
- Non-service pets, smoking, and illegal drugs aren't permitted on board.
- Your booking confirmation includes the exact Mission Bay boarding location.
Ready to see Mission Bay from the water? Request availability with your date and guest count, and we'll confirm what works aboard the McKinna 69.
