Give the gift of an unforgettable dolphin and whale watching adventure! With year-round whales, dolphins, sea lions, and more, anytime is a great time for your recipient to enjoy their gift.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
We have created a special page to keep you informed of the latest information and how it relates to our whale watching cruises.
More Fun from Captain Dave
Private Boat Rentals – Affordable Rates – Book Online!
Only Guests Selected by You on the Boat
Captain & Crew Provided
Dana Point is the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World!®
Whale, Hello There!
Highest Rated Whale Watch
Consistently awarded for Best Customer Service, our dolphin and whale watching tours in Dana Point are the highest rated on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google.
Underwater Viewing Pods
Experience an eye-to-eye underwater adventure with dolphins and whales in our exclusive underwater viewing pods. The perfect view for Dana Point whale watching!
Truly Eco-Friendly
As a dedicated eco-friendly whale watching tour group in Southern California, we are dedicated to providing only sustainable wildlife viewing. We believe in being good stewards of the ocean. That means using the best sustainable technology available and not watching whales from a fishing boat.
More Blue Whales
There’s a reason whale watching is popular in Southern California! We have the largest concentration of blue whales in the world.
More Dolphins
Dana Point features more than just whale watching — We have more dolphins per square mile than anywhere else!
More Variety
60+ species of whales, dolphins, sharks, sea lions, birds, and more are seen year-round.
Never Crowded
Our customized catamarans carry up to 49 passengers and offer ample elbow room. Some of our vessels carry as few as six guests for a more intimate whale watching experience.
Whale Rescue
Captain Dave and rescue team members have been recognized worldwide for their whale rescue and conservation efforts.
One Word: BROWNIES!
Mrs. Captain Dave’s famous Triple Fudge Brownies are served complimentary on every whale watching trip.
Dana Point's highest rated whale watching adventure on TripAdvisor, Yelp, and Google.
"Really fun, would highly recommend, even if traveling with teenagers. Underwater viewing-pod was awesome, where dolphins were very interactive. Boat was very comfortable and never felt sea-sick. Crew was excellent, they are very knowledgeable, and answered all questions."
– Joerod01, TripAdvisor
"Capt Dave delivered. We spent about an hour and a half with two Blue Whales. I have travelled the world looking for these rare creatures and they were a 15 minute boat ride off the Californian Coast. Capt was very knowledgeable and gave us good viewing without interfering with the whales. Absolutely amazing tour. Oh, there were dolphins as well."
– NeilK_13, TripAdvisor
I have recommend this trip to all my friends coming to Southern California from the U.K. and EU. It’s just awesome...we had hundreds of dolphins which was incredible. The boat is great and you can move around so easily and get great views of the wildlife especially in the underwater pods. I will be back for another trip I am sure in the future. Well done guys you never disappoint!"
– Mark C., TripAdvisor
"The tour said that we would see dolphins and we saw plenty! Our trip was on one of the catamarans with the viewing windows which allow underwater viewings. Amazing close-up views of schools of these beautiful animals. Crew was friendly and helpful. Wear sunscreen!"
– Jeff M., TripAdvisor
"My family and I were touring California on a road trip. We wanted to book a boat trip at some point in our holiday and read about Captain Dave's tours and were impressed by the reviews. I'm so glad we did this tour as it was one of the best experiences we have ever had."
– Neil P., TripAdvisor
"I was so pleased by the whole experience. It was great!!! Not only did we see whales, but we saw a dolphin baby pod of some 400 dolphin...The under water viewing was so cool!!! Our trip lasted longer than advertised after group permission was granted (just in case someone needed to get back on time but no one did!)."
– Ben C., TripAdvisor
"My husband and I went on the 2.5 whale watching trip, and it was absolutely amazing! We saw 3 blue whales, sea lions, dolphins. It’s an experience we will never forget, and we will return and bring our children too. I highly recommend. Staff was amazing."
– Amy O., TripAdvisor
"Our first trip with Captain Dave's was fantastic. The captain and crew were informative and welcoming. We felt safe and comfortable and, most importantly, saw hundreds of dolphins and a few sea lions. Luckily we went on a day when the boat was only about half-full but I think it would have been enjoyable even on a full boat. We look forward to going back in the future."
– ncinaz, TripAdvisorEmbark on the Journey of a Lifetime With Whale Watching Adventures in Dana Point
Have you ever dreamed of getting up close and personal with a blue whale or being eye-to-eye with a dolphin? Now you can make your dreams a reality with Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari in Dana Point! One of the highest-rated whale watching companies in Southern California, we offer year-round boat tours and educational whale watching field trips for an ocean adventure you’ll never forget.
Join us for an exciting Dolphin & Whale Watching Tour aboard Manute’a, our high-speed catamaran sailboat, or get your adrenaline pumping with a cruise in the Fast Cat on our Zodiac Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. Whether you’ll be joining us for a public tour or private boat charter, you can always expect exceptional, personalized service. You’ll even be treated to one of Mrs. Captain Dave’s famous brownies as our way of saying, “thanks.” It’s the special touches that make us one of the best whale watching tours in Southern California, and it’s what keeps our customers come back again-and-again!
See What Sets Us Apart By Booking Your High-Seas Adventure Today!
The Largest Variety of Marine Mammals
Not only does Dana Point have the highest number of dolphins per square mile than anywhere else in the world, but it is also the home of a variety of large whales, including:
On your Dana Point whale watching tour, you’ll want to keep your eyes open and your camera ready because we regularly see a wide range of other marine animals, too! This includes seals, sea lions, sharks, sea turtles, local marine birds, jellyfish, and much, much more!
While we do see dolphins and whales on more than 95% of our tours, our large marine friends occasionally decide to take the day off. Don’t worry if this happens! We will provide you with another tour within the year—totally free of charge!
Fun for the Whole Family
If you’ve got kids, teens, or even babies, you can go ahead and bring them on-board with you for your whale watching tour in Dana Point. Most of our large catamarans are suitable for children of all ages and offer an experience that your little ones are unlikely to forget.
Complement their wildlife experience with a visit to our on-board micro-museum! They will have the chance to see dolphin and whale artifacts, and you can accompany them to our exclusive underwater viewing pods where they can “swim with the dolphins” — All without getting wet!
Instill an even deeper love and appreciation for ocean creatures by joining us for the annual Dana Point Festival of Whales or discover our other whale watching tours in Southern California like our wildlife-intensive Whale Geek Safari or luxury private yacht Orca charter tour! No matter which one you choose, we promise you’ll have a whale of a time!
