We decided to take a dolphin tour with Capt. Dave's in Dana Point based on the recommendation of the Marriott's Newport Coast Villas staff. We've been on several other dolphin/whale watching trips and Captain Dave's was one of the best operations I've encountered. The boat is exceptional, with the unique underwater viewing pods providing an UNREAL underwater perspective, and their staff is outstanding with their impressive knowledge and concern for wildlife and conservation issues being obvious in everything they do.
We arrived at the dock and followed the signs to go upstairs and sign in. The attendant was friendly and answered our questions about boarding. Note that they do not sell refreshments on the boat, so you would do well to bring a small ice chest on board with you and while there is a head (toilet) on the boat, your better off using the nearby restrooms in the marina. Upon boarding the modern vessel, we cruised out after being given a quick overview of safety rules and emergency procedures. We and found the ride to be very comfortable and smooth. In addition to dolphins, you are likely to see sea lions, sea gulls, pelicans and if the season is right, whales. On our trip we encountered huge pods of dolphins that really put on a show for us, racing alongside the boat and jumping playfully to say hello. One thing I particularly enjoyed was the obvious passion Captain Dave had about the environment and the wildlife. He has produced videos and written books (with photos) about conservation, and actively participates in conservation efforts in the area. He had a Q&A session at the end of the tour that was very informative. Some things to keep in mind:
* Bring a bottle of water or soda, it gets warm out on the water!
* Bring sunscreen as you will be out in the sun for a couple hours on the water.
* The ocean is big and there is no way to predict whether dolphins or whales will be in the area. So just be aware that there are seasonal variations as the wildlife migrate, so if you've got a favorite species in mind, do your homework or check Capt. Dave's website for wildlife calendars. They do post sighting stats on their web site so you can get an idea of what's been seen recently. Still, there is no guarantee. Worst case, you'll have a nice boat ride, learn a bit about the local eco-system and get some great views of the California coastline. Overall, I highly recommend this tour! You should have a wonderful time, no matter what time of year you go.