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Dana Point Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Eco-Safari

Dana Point Whale Watching and Dolphin Watching Eco-Safari

Overview

Gather the family, kids, and friends to join Orange County's highest rated whale watching activity, featuring exclusive Underwater Viewing Pods. For over 20 years we have provided the most unique and eco-friendly dolphin and whale watching trips to view magnificent Blue Whales, Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, and occasionally Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales, False Killer Whales, and more. Five species of wild dolphins are also seen throughout the year, including mega-pods with up to 10,000 dolphins! Plus sea lions, marine birds, and even sharks. You'll depart from Dana Point, home to one of the most diverse marine eco-systems in the world. Aboard our uncrowded high-tech catamaran you will enjoy up close and personal dolphin and whale watching with expert narration, complimentary triple fudge brownies, and more.

City: Dana Point

Mon 23 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $100.00

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Sep

Starting at $100.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Licensed Captain and professional crew

U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified vessel

Cetacean Declaration - Join us again for free within one calendar year if you don't see any dolphins or whales

Live commentary on board

Additional Info

Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Entry into the Underwater Viewing Pods requires the use of ladder-like steps. Persons with a disability or limited mobility may have difficulty.
Trip times may vary by date.
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (376)

dmac572019

Apr 2022

Tremendous experience. A beautiful day to be on the water. Captain Neal, Stacy and Hanna made the experience wonderful. Our nearly 3 hour voyage had us spend about 30 minutes with a Common Dolphin Stampede. We also saw a small pod of Risso Dolphin and happened up a Grey Whale with her calf. The crew in knowledgeable and the intimate setting of the Catamaran made the experience all that more enjoyable. We WILL be back!

Response from Host

Apr 2022

Thank you for the 5-star review! I’m so pleased that you were able to witness a breathtaking dolphin stampede during your recent dolphin and whale watching trip with Capt. Dave’s. It’s wonderful that you liked our knowledgeable crew and the small-group tour. We appreciate this fantastic feedback and hope you can visit us again soon!

Lauriegwen

Apr 2022

We cannot say enough good things about our trip today, April 23rd! Cap. Chuck, First Mate Stacy, as well as Hannah (fantastic photographer) and Matt (awesome drone pilot) went above and beyond the call of duty to make our trip unforgetable. Not only did we see a gray whale as we were heading out (and followed it for at least 30 minutes), but we saw a mother and calf gray whale as we were returning from our trip. While out, Capt. Chuck received notice from another boat of the location of a pod of dolphin, so after saying goodbye to the 1st whale, we began the search for the dolphin. It took a while, but BOY! did we strike gold!!! There must have been several hundred dolphins, including many babies, that kept us entertained for quite a while. The professionalism of the crew, along with the stunning photographs and drone footage, made this trip to California for us! (I also met the cutest couple - William and Erin on the boat... if you guys read this, I wish you continued happiness!)

Response from Host

Apr 2022

Hi Lauriegwen, thanks so much for the amazing review. I’m thrilled that you were satisfied with our crew’s service and efforts to get you up close and personal with the massive Gray Whales and pods of lively wild dolphins. It was our pleasure to provide a memorable excursion. I hope you can join us again soon!

douge482

Apr 2022

Marie and Caitlin took good care of us on our trip. They went way out of their way to find the one or two dolphins we did see. It turns out that’s pretty unusual to not see many animals, so we got a voucher to come back. We were able to schedule a trip for the next day. Marie was our captain again along with Joshua and Caitlin on the crew. It was a fantastic trip. Caitlin took amazing pictures. We saw dozens of dolphins and a gray whale cow with her calf. Again, Marie stayed with the whale for as long as she possibly could and , somehow coaxed the mama whale to wave goodbye with her fluke. Exactly what we hoped for.

Response from Host

Apr 2022

Hi Doug, thanks for the review and high rating! It’s unfortunate that your first trip didn’t turn up much wildlife – definitely not the norm here in Dana Point, the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World! It’s fantastic that you were able to come back and use your No Sightings vouchers to enjoy viewing a migrating Gray Whale family and pods of wild dolphins. I’m very pleased that our Captain and crew took good care of you. We appreciate that you chose us and would love for you to come out with us again soon!