Quick Details
Adult
Age 13+
$ 56.18
Child
Age 1 - 12
$ 45.58
Infant
Up to 12 months (Available Dec. 12 & 14)
$ 6.00
Infant price available on December 12 & 14 only. Child price applicable for infants on December 13.
Join us for holiday cheer at Dana Point Harbor’s 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights!
The 2025 theme is Golden Jubilee – Carol of the Boats.
Gather your friends and family to create special holiday memories that will last throughout the year.
Aboard our catamarans, you’ll be a part of the Dana Point boat parade and enjoy the beautiful sights of decorated boats and holiday music filling the air. It’s so much fun waving to the folks on shore!
So bring the kids, a date, or your Mom, don your Santa hat, and join us for an unforgettable evening of good old-fashioned fun.
And yes, Mrs. Capt. Dave’s yummy Triple Fudge Brownies will be served!
Get ready for a magical night full of holiday music, lights, and fun during the Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights. After enjoying the boat parade, discover more of the best Christmas events in Southern California.
Recommended Attire for the Dana Point Boat Parade
You’re on the water at night so it can get chilly. Please be sure to dress very warm. Feel free to bring extra jackets and blankets. You’re welcome to bring hot drinks or purchase them at check-in.
Santa hats and ‘Ugly’ Christmas Sweaters are encouraged!
Upgrade Your Dana Point Boat Parade Experience to an Exclusive Private Charter
A private charter means you have the whole boat to yourselves with only your guests on board, plus our crew.
Private charters also have optional enhancements such as food, drinks, live music, and more.
Hoku Nai’a
Our newest and largest catamaran, Hoku Nai’a, can accommodate up to 149 guests on her two decks.
Consider Hoku Nai’a for your holiday boat parade if you have/need/want:
- A large group of over 50 people
- Live music or DJ with space to dance
- Wet bar with a variety of drink options
- Space for a buffet arrangement
- Seated dining with tables
- An area that’s fully enclosed for cool weather protection
1.5 Hours: from $6300
Manute’a
Our spacious catamaran Manute’a can accommodate up to 49 guests.
Consider Manute’a for your Dana Point boat parade charter if you have/need/want:
- A medium to large sized group of under 49 people
- A roomy boat with ample space on the bow for enjoying the festivities
- Seating for all of your guests
- An open-air design with minimal coverage for maximum holiday vibes
1.5 Hours: from $2730
DolphinSafari
Our intimate catamaran DolphinSafari carries up to 20 guests comfortably.
Consider DolphinSafari for your Dana Point Boat Parade boat rental if you have/need/want:
- A small to medium sized group of under 20 people
- An economical private charter to experience Dana Point’s 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights
- Cushioned seating with 360-degree views
- Plenty of space on the bow to see the holiday lights and hear the festive music
1.5 Hours: from $900
ORCA
Captain Dave’s motor yacht ORCA accommodates up to 6 guests.
Consider ORCA for your boat parade event if you have/need/want:
- A small group of family or friends that number 6 or less
- An upscale vessel
- Boat parade viewing enjoyment from the uncovered bow, the fully enclosed helm or main cabin
1.5 Hours: from $550
Image of ORCA is digitally dressed for the holidays—come see the real magic in person! Enhancements do not represent the exact current appearance of the vessel.
Testimonials
So Fun To See The Boat Parade We really enjoyed the boat parade on Saturday night to see the holiday lights. All of the staff - on land and on the boat- were very friendly and helpful. There was plenty of room and we appreciated the music and cookies. We gave the staff a well deserved tip but didn’t see anyone else doing so. A fun experience - highly recommend it!
– Wagr - TripAdvisor
So fun! The boat we got to ride on, Lily, was big and decorated so cute for Christmas. It was great being in the boat light parade and seeing all the other boats decorated for Christmas. It wasn’t too chilly and the water was smooth. Fun people on board, laughing and singing Christmas carols. I’m telling everyone, esp on social media, to do the boat parade with Capt. Dave’s. So glad I found it and brought my cousin with me. We had a great time! And the cookies and brownies were yummy!
– Jen Davis - Google
Having taken excellent whale watching safaris in the past with Dolphin Safaris, I was very pleased to join Captain Dave and his family for the Dana Point Harbor Christmas Boat Parade. We joined the parade and had a great view of all the other boats in the parade. The atmosphere on the boat was very cheerful with lots of enthusiasm and shouting Merry Christmas to the crowds watching the parade. To add to the fun there was hot chocolate and cookies and Santa hats for everyone. Christmas spirit was alive and well on the boat! It could not have been a more pleasant evening.
– Phyllis H. - TripAdvisor
We loved being a part of the Dana Point Boat Parade with Captain Dave! It was a fun and festive atmosphere. We even enjoyed some Christmas music and cookies during our trip. The themed light displays on each boat in the parade were impressive. Great for kids & adults, we would definitely do this again.
– Emily Fredrick - Google