Watch Our Typical Monthly Dolphin & Whale Sightings
Scroll down for daily sightings log.
Captain Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari is the first tour in Dana Point to offer year-round dolphin and whale sightings! We helped put Dana Point whale watching tours on the map by delivering breathtaking whale and dolphin watching in a warm and welcoming environment. On the very rare occasion that you don’t have any whales or dolphin sightings, we’ll be happy to provide a free whale watching tour to be used within one year.
May 2024 Daily Whale Watching Sightings Log
| Date | No. of Trips | Sightings |
| May 19 | 7 | 9 Blue Whales, 725 Common Dolphins |
| May 18 | 7 | 11 Blue Whales, 325 Common Dolphins |
| May 17 | 5 | 2 Minke Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 900 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola mola |
| May 16 | 2 | 165 Common Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| May 15 | 4 | 2 Fin Whales, 250 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| May 14 | 6 | 3 Blue Whales, 600 Common Dolphins |
| May 13 | 5 | 4 Fin Whales, 850 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| May 12 | 10 | 7 Fin Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 1,325 Common Dolphins, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| May 11 | 5 | 5 Humpback Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 525 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| May 10 | 4 | 4 Fin Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 3 Blue Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 305 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola |
| May 9 | 4 | 8 Fin Whales, 1 Blue Whale, 625 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola mola |
| May 8 | 3 | 3 Blue Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 280 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| May 7 | 2 | 2 Fin Whales, 400 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal |
| May 6 | 3 | 10 Fin Whales, 3 Blue Whales, 600 Common Dolphins |
| May 5 | 3 | 6 Fin Whales, 1 Blue Whale |
| May 4 | 6 | 37 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 475 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola mola |
| May 3 | 6 | 14 Fin Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 120 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola, 1 Fur Seal |
| May 2 | 3 | 5 Fin Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 250 Common Dolphins |
| May 1 | 4 | 11 Fin Whales, 255 Common Dolphins, 8 Bottlenose Dolphins |
2024 Archive Whale Watching Sightings Log
-
Date No. of Trips Sightings April 30 4 18 Fin Whales, 2 Blue Whales, 102 Common Dolphins April 29 7 6 Killer Whales (CA216 transients including “Frosty”), 14 Fin Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 1,600 Common Dolphins, 1 Fur Seal April 28 9 29 Fin Whales, 4 Blue Whales, 4 Gray Whales, 370 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola April 27 11 43 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 895 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola mola April 26 6 42 Fin Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 14 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Common Dolphins April 25 6 32 Fin Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 650 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola April 24 4 31 Fin Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal Pup April 23 3 14 Fin Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 50 Common Dolphins April 22 3 7 Fin Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 255 Common Dolphins April 21 8 26 Fin Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 1,030 Common Dolphin, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins April 20 8 34 Fin Whales, 11 Gray Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 1,135 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins April 19 2 8 Fin Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 400 Common Dolphins April 18 4 16 Fin Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 75 Common Dolphins April 17 4 14 Fin Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 700 Common Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Harbor Seal April 16 2 8 Fin Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 90 Common Dolphins April 15 4 11 Fin Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 275 Common Dolphins, 17 Bottlenose Dolphins April 14 5 8 Fin Whales, 4 Gray Whales, 235 Common Dolphins April 13 4 6 Gray Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 326 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins April 12 3 4 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2 Fin Whales, 400 Common Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins April 11 6 11 Fin Whales, 400 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola mola April 10 4 13 Fin Whales, 300 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal, 1 Mako Shark April 9 6 14 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 475 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins April 8 4 13 Fin Whales, 2 Gray Whales (Cow/Calf), 1 Humpback Whale, 55 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins April 7 11 26 Fin Whales, 4 Minke Whales, 690 Common Dolphins, 525 Bottlenose Dolphins April 6 13 24 Fin Whales, 8 Minke Whales, 525 Bottlenose Dolphins April 5 0 Inclement Weather April 4 5 1 Minke Whale, 93 Common Dolphins April 3 9 4 Gray Whales, 8,000 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola April 2 8 6 Minke Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 3,600 Common Dolphins, 115 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola April 1 5 3 Fin Whales, 1,100 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings March 31 0 Happy Easter! March 30 0 Inclement Weather March 29 9 27 Fin Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 6 Gray Whales, 6,200 Common Dolphins, 65 Risso’s Dolphins, 56 Bottlenose Dolphins, 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins March 28 8 16 Fin Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 37 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola March 27 9 16 Fin Whales, 4 Minke Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 1,750 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins March 26 7 10 Fin Whales, 3 Gray Whales, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 10 Common Dolphins March 25 8 11 Fin Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, 125 Bottlenose Dolphins March 24 0 Inclement Weather March 23 6 11 Gray Whales, 6 Fin Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 600 Common Dolphins March 22 8 12 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 1,200 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Pacific White-sided Dolphins March 21 7 9 Gray Whales, 6 Fin Whales, 1,300 Common Dolphins, 210 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola, 1 Rhinoceros Auklet March 20 5 5 Gray Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 3,500 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins March 19 6 15 Gray Whales, 12,675 Common Dolphins March 18 2 1 Gray Whale, 1,500 Common Dolphins, 20 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, March 17 7 10 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 4,300 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins March 16 11 7 Gray Whales, 1,855 Common Dolphins March 15 4 3 Gray Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola March 14 6 8 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 170 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola March 13 8 36 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola March 12 7 4 Gray Whales, 235 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal March 11 5 16 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 250 Bottlenose Dolphins March 10 9 21 Gray Whales, 650 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins March 9 13 23 Gray Whales, 690 Common Dolphins, 320 Bottlenose Dolphins March 8 9 11 Gray Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 210 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Fur Seal March 7 5 11 Gray Whales, 100 Common Dolphins March 6 4 850 Common Dolphins March 5 7 17 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 1,400 Common Dolphins March 4 2 25 Common Dolphins March 3 8 12 Gray Whales, 900 Common Dolphins March 2 9 5 Gray Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 200 Common Dolphins March 1, 2024 5 4 Fin Whales, 4 Gray Whales, 415 Common Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Feb 29 5 11 Gray Whales, 980 Common Dolphins Feb 28 2 5 Gray Whales Feb 27 4 5 Gray Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 600 Common Dolphins Feb 26 4 4 Humpback Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 1 Gray Whale, 20 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 25 5 7 Gray Whales, 350 Common Dolphins Feb 24 10 9 Fin Whales, 8 Gray Whales, 625 Common Dolphins, 540 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 23 4 5 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins Feb 22 3 3 Gray Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 21 4 4 Gray Whales, 350 Common Dolphins, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 20 0 Inclement Weather Feb 19 1 No Sightings Feb 18 7 7 Gray Whales, 620 Common Dolphins, 475 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 17 10 2 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 5,300 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Feb 16 7 3 Gray Whales, 2,800 Common Dolphins Feb 15 4 7 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins Feb 14 3 2 Gray Whales, 470 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 13 4 10 Gray Whales, 480 Common Dolphins Feb 12 3 1,100 Common Dolphins Feb 11 5 6 Gray Whales, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 10 9 6 Gray Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 9 3 2 Gray Whales, 75 Risso’s Dolphins, 9 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 8 0 Inclement Weather Feb 7 0 Inclement Weather Feb 6 0 Inclement Weather Feb 5 0 Inclement Weather Feb 4 3 9 Gray Whales Feb 3 7 5 Gray Whales, 1,305 Common Dolphins, 25 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 2 0 Inclement Weather Feb 1, 2024 0 Inclement Weather -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Jan 31, 2024 3 17 Gray Whales Jan 30 4 8 Gray Whales, 2,500 Common Dolphins Jan 29 5 2,600 Common Dolphins Jan 28 10 11 Gray Whales, 9,800 Common Dolphins Jan 27 11 5 to 10 ETP Orcas, 8 Gray Whales, 5,000 Common Dolphins Jan 26 5 16 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf) Jan 25 3 5 to 7 ETP Orcas, 400 Common Dolphins Jan 24 1 500 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Jan 23 4 8 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 150 Common Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 22 0 Inclement Weather Jan 21 3 2 Gray Whales, 1,400 Common Dolphins Jan 20 5 500 Common Dolphins, 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 19 5 3 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 1,500 Common Dolphins Jan 18 4 7 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 300 Common Dolphins Jan 17 3 2 Gray Whales, 350 Common Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 16 5 7 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2,900 Common Dolphins Jan 15 10 4 Gray Whales, 7,700 Common Dolphins Jan 14 12 6 Gray Whales, 3,200 Common Dolphins Jan 13 12 5 Gray Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 2,980 Common Dolphins Jan 12 4 2 Gray Whales, 1,100 Common Dolphins Jan 11 0 Inclement Weather Jan 10 2 1 Gray Whale, 100 Common Dolphins Jan 9 7 3 to 9 ETP Orcas (See on all Safaris), 102 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 8 4 1,800 Common Dolphins Jan 7 0 Inclement Weather Jan 6 10 15 Gray Whales, 1 Unidentified Baleen Whale, 800 Common Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 5 6 1 Humpback Whale, 1 Gray Whale, 590 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Jan 4 5 2 – 6 ETP Orcas (Seen on 4 Safaris), 1 Gray Whale, 155 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Jan 3 0 Inclement Weather Jan 2 7 8 Gray Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 750 Common Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 1, 2024 9 12 Fin Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 3,925 Common Dolphins
View All Sightings Archives By Year
See an Abundance of Wildlife Up Close and Personal
Dana Point is the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World® for good reason! The gorgeous Pacific ocean is teeming with aquatic animals that are truly stunning to behold. Depending on which month you join us, you may see multiple varieties of both whales and dolphins. Every trip is special!
While dolphin and whale sightings are our bread and butter, we often run into other marine creatures, including sea lions, pelagic birds, sharks, seals, Mola mola, and more! Check out the months below to get an idea of what to expect on your visit. You can also check our daily whale and dolphin sightings log for details on the animals we saw on our latest adventures!
Create Memories that Last a Lifetime
Words and pictures simply can’t prepare you for the thrill of an up-close encounter with these majestic animals. As one of the best whale watching cruises in California, our hope is that connecting with the animals will change how you view the world and help you to form a lasting connection with nature. Your first whale sightings can truly be an eye-opening, life-changing experience. Heck, we’ve been doing this for over twenty years, and we’re still just as amazed to this day! Join us on an unforgettable adventure.
Learn More About Dana Point's Monthly Dolphin & Whale Sightings
-
Frequently Seen in January:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Fin Whales, Gray Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in January:
Whales: Humpback Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in February:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Fin Whales, Gray Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in February:
Whales: Humpback Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in March:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Fin Whales, Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in March:
Whales: Blue Whales, Gray Whales with Calves, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in April:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Fin Whales, Gray Whales with Calves, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in April:
Whales: Blue Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in May:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Gray Whales with Calves, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in May:
Whales: False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in June:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Mola Mola, Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in June:
Dolphins: Pacific White-sided Dolphins
Whales: Bryde’s Whales, False Killer Whales, Gray Whales, Orcas (Killer Whale), Pilot Whales, Sei Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in July:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Mola Mola, Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions, Sharks
Occasionally Seen in July:
Dolphins: Pacific White-sided Dolphins
Whales: Bryde’s Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales, Sei Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals
-
Frequently Seen in August:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Mola Mola, Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions, Sharks
Occasionally Seen in August:
Dolphins: Pacific White-sided Dolphins
Whales: Bryde’s Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales, Sei Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals
-
Frequently Seen in September:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Blue Whales, Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Mola Mola, Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions, Sharks
Occasionally Seen in September:
Dolphins: Pacific White-sided Dolphins
Whales: Bryde’s Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales, Sei Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals
-
Frequently Seen in October:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in October:
Dolphins: Pacific White-sided Dolphins
Whales: Blue Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales, Sei Whales, Sperm Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in November:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Fin Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in November:
Dolphins: Pacific White-sided Dolphins
Whales: False Killer Whales, Gray Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
-
Frequently Seen in December:
Dolphins: Bottlenose Dolphins, Common Dolphins, Pacific White-sided Dolphins, Risso’s Dolphins
Whales: Fin Whales, Gray Whales, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales
Other: Pelagic Birds, Sea Lions
Occasionally Seen in December:
Whales: Blue Whales, False Killer Whales, Orcas (Killer Whales), Pilot Whales
Other: Elephant Seals, Harbor Seals, Mola Mola, Sharks
2023 Whale Watching Stats
763
Gray Whales
405
Blue Whales
754
Fin Whales
338
Humpback Whales
When is the best time to see whales in California?
You can see whales and dolphins off the coast of Dana Point, California, all year long!
May through November you can see blue whales, humpback whales, fin whales, and more. Between December and May, Dana Point whale watchers can see migrating gray whales, as well as fin whales, humpback whales, minke whales, and more. All year round several species of dolphins can be viewed, sometimes in mega-pods as large as 10,000! And throughout the year, rare species of whales and dolphins such as orcas (killer whales), Bryde’s whales, pilot whales, and sperm whales could be seen. Southern California has more dolphins and more blue whales than anywhere else in the world.
