B737-700
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Commercial
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 315
Communication Breakdown; Confusion
Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Flight Crew Returned To Clearance
Human Factors; Chart Or Publication; Procedure
Checked on with Oakland Center and were cleared direct to NRRLI and to descend via the SERFR 3. I mistakenly went direct to NARWL; a similar sounding fix. I put it in the FMC and executed. The Captain was on the PA at the time. When he came back I told him of our clearance and shortly after was asked by ATC if we were going to NRRLI intersection. I said that we were and the Controller then corrected the mistake. Continued the flight with no further error. Cleared to a way point/ went to wrong fix.
Enroute to MAKRS; Oakland Center cleared us to what we thought was NARWL way point and to descend via the SERFR 3 Arrival to SFO. A few minutes later Center questioned us on our course; when we reported that we were going to NARWL; the Center Controller then re-cleared us to NRRLI; which was where he had originally intended for us to go; and to descend via the SERFR 3; the remainder of the flight was uneventful. The fact that two similar sounding way points on the arrival was confusing. Two similar sounding way points names can be confusing. Maybe change one of the names on the SERFR 3 Arrival.
B737 Flight Crew reported navigating to wrong; similar sounding waypoint.