Afisha Life Homepage
Dana Point
Explore
Walking Tours
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

Sat 16 Nov

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $100.00

Make a reservation

Sat 16 Nov

Starting at $100.00

Make a reservation

New York City Tours

Unique Activities (21) Transfers & Transportation (103) Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises (113) Entry Tickets (47) Sporting Events (1) Good for Small Groups (6) Seasonal & Holiday Tours (41) Walking Tours (697) Outdoor Activities (20) Limitied Availability Tours (6) LGBT Friendly Tours (4) Family-friendly Activities (7) Solo Travelers' Tours (147) Food & Drinks (27) Travelers recommend (73) Good for Groups (8) Top Activities (18) Guided Audio Tours (3) Art, Culture & History (135) Attractions to explore (38)

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)

CaliBarbara

Jan 2019

Awesome day seeing humpbacks around our boat, even going under it! Also lots of dolphins which are so cool to watch from the underwater viewing window. Crew was so friendly & helpful, I will definitely do this again with Captain Dave’s!

Response from Host

Feb 2019

Hi, Thanks for your review. I’m happy to read what a great time you had on board Manute’a, viewing multiple Humpback Whales as well as a large pod of wild dolphins! It’s wonderful that the Underwater Viewing Pods enhanced the experience for you. I’m also pleased that you were satisfied with our crew’s service. I hope we’ll see you again soon!

Discover769231

Jan 2019

Capt. Marie and the crew were excellent. They were helpful and provided lots of information about the whales and dolphins while looking after our safety and comfort. The ship is a great platform for viewing and photography. We saw one grey whale and followed it around for a while, watching it surface and dive. But Captain Marie wanted us to see dolphins as well, and even extended the trip a bit when we spotted a pod of white-sided dolphins. I have seen dolphins on many occasions but never this particular species. It was a great day, enjoyed by all.

Response from Host

Feb 2019

Hi, Thank you so much for your review, and for the kind words about our Captain and crew. It’s wonderful that we were able to extend the trip this time so everyone could continue enjoying the stunning sightings of the migrating Gray whale and wild dolphins! I’m so glad we were able to show you something new. Thanks again for choosing Capt. Dave’s, and I hope we’ll see you again soon.

James M

Jan 2019

The trip we went on was a 2 1/2 hour trip; in the past I have been on competitor 2 hour trips and the extra 1/2 hour really matters in terms of how far out you can go. We where there on the first week of Nov and sadly no whales but tons of dophins (two types). The boat is a catamaran style so you can go to the front and in between the two sides is netting if you want to get a little wet which was popular with some of the kids on board. Once we were surrounded by a pod of dolphins they opened up two underwater viewing areas in the front catamaran sections. It takes some doing to get down there and is a bit cramped so folks with bad knees would have some issues, but you get to see the dolphins wizzing by and having fun from a different view, which is something I haven's seen before. All in all a very good time and will be back in March for the Whale Festival.

Response from Host

Feb 2019

Hi, Thank you for your review. I’m so glad you enjoyed your recent dolphin and whale watching safari, taking advantage of all the special features of our catamaran Manute’a to have an amazing, up-close experience with different kinds of fascinating wild dolphins! It’s great that we were able to provide a fun, unique trip for you. We look forward to seeing you again in March!