Captain Dave’s Whale Watching is passionately owned and operated by the husband and wife team, Captain Dave Anderson (“Captain Dave”), who is Coast Guard licensed, and his wife Gisele (Mrs. Captain Dave). For over twenty years, they have been taking people sailing to enjoy the company of some of the most magnificent marine mammals on the planet.
Why would a couple dedicate themselves to a life on and around the water? Because, for them, nothing compares to sharing the incredible beauty and natural wonders of sea life. Being able to provide people with lifelong memories, not to mention seeing guests awestruck as they pass right by a pod of dolphins for the first time or encounter an enormous blue whale, is a source of pride and endless joy found on Capt. Dave’s whale watching safaris in Southern California.
Love at First Sail: Whale Watching in Southern California
Captain Dave and Gisele met sailing in the 1990s. Sailing wasn’t just a past-time for Dave, though, it had been his dream to make a living taking people out on his boat. He started taking small groups of people out to sea to experience the beauty of dolphin and whale watching in Southern California. When he told other boaters about what he saw they were amazed. Capt. Dave realized if the people who live on their boats don’t know what lives off their coast, then who does? And so began Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari.
Soon, Gisele jumped on board with brownies and her business expertise and warm, friendly nature. Dave says she is the organization behind the organization. Her help enabled the business to grow into the year-round adventure that Californians and tourists have come to know and love today.
Capt. Dave’s former yellow sailboat, Lucid Dreamer
With Gisele’s love and support, Captain Dave eventually traded in his small yellow sailboat for a 35-foot catamaran sailboat with a capacity to carry 24 passengers. It was aboard this vessel, “DolphinSafari.com”, during regular trips, that Capt. Dave filmed his documentary, Wild Dolphins & Whales of Southern California. It won eight awards at two of the world’s biggest wildlife film festivals: the International Wildlife Film Festival and Wildscreen in England, the ‘Academy Awards’ of wildlife films.
Meet Manute’a: Whale Watching in Southern California
In 2007 Captain Dave added a second catamaran sailboat to his fleet. “Manute’a” was 50 feet long and carried up to 49 passengers. Like his first catamaran,
During the summer of 2009, Capt. Dave launched another special feature on Manute’a: WhaleWatchingTV. Long before Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps were doing live videos, Dave had the idea to broadcast his whale watching trips in Southern California live on the internet. He outfitted the boat with seven cameras and microphones on the crew so everyone around the world could see whales and dolphins live on their computer.
Meet ORCA: Whale Watching in Southern California
In 2012 Captain Dave brought into the fleet his only monohull vessel, a 38-foot Bayliner motor yacht he named “ORCA”. Unlike his other vessels, had Eye-Spy Tram Nets for up close and personal viewing of marine life on one of the best whale watching safaris in Southern California. A couple of years later Dave upgraded Manute’a with one of his most innovative ideas: an Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pod. The Underwater Pods (he added the second Pod two years later) gave passengers the opportunity to feel what it’s like to swim with wild dolphins and whales without having to jump in the water!
Disentanglements: Whale Watching in Southern California
To help raise awareness about whale entanglement, Captain Dave authored the award-winning book, “Lily a Gray Whale’s Odyssey” which was published in 2013. A captivating and scientifically accurate tale of a fictional gray whale’s migration with breathtaking photographs and a foreword by Jean-Michel Cousteau. His book won eight awards in 2013 including the prestigious Benjamin Franklin Award for Best New Voice from the Independent Book Publishers Association. Captain Dave has been featured on The Ellen Show and CBS Morning News for his conservation efforts and his successful whale disentanglements.
Meet Fast Cat: Whale Watching in Southern California
In July 2015 Captain Dave premiered his newest catamaran, a rigid hull inflatable boat named “Fast Cat”. At the time it was Orange County’s first and only Coast Guard inspected RHIB. offers small groups of up to 12 a fun and high-speed adventure to view the amazing year-round wildlife on our whale watching safaris in Southern California. Captain Dave equipped Fast Cat with powerful engines capable of speeds up to 30 knots to ensure his guests spent less time looking for animals and more time getting up close and personal with them! He also customized the boat with heavily padded seats and seatbacks to ensure comfort, a large sunshade, and custom teak flooring for an upscale look and feel.
Meet AllsWell: Whale Watching in Southern California
In February 2020 our second rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) joined our fleet of vessels. Larger and faster than Fast Cat, this boat comfortably carries up to 20 passengers. AllsWell has padded seats and seat backs and a large sunshade for comfort. AllsWell is the primary boat used for our daily whale watching in Southern California Zodiac Safari. If your motto is “boat hair, don’t care” then an adventure on AllsWell is for you!
Meet Hoku Nai’a: Whale Watching in Southern California
In July 2022 the newest and largest member of our fleet arrived from Hawaii.
Hoku Nai’a is a 65-foot upscale power catamaran. She is a fast and stable and has a maximum capacity of 149 passengers. Hoku Nai’a features beautifully appointed interior with upscale décor throughout the vessel that celebrates Dana Point’s famous surfing culture and recognition as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®.
The main deck (first floor) is fully enclosed for climate control and has bench seating with surfboard tables, a large buffet, and three sofas for comfortable lounging. Large windows on both sides provide panoramic viewing. There are also two restrooms available on the main deck.
The observation deck (second floor) has ample cushioned bench seating, a wooden dance floor, and is partially covered for added protection from the elements. A bar with illuminated countertop is available for refreshments including water, soft drinks, beer, and wine.
Learn more about Hoku Nai’a and book a charter.
Marine Conservation: Whale Watching in Southern California
Having developed a passion for marine conservation through the boat tours and film-making process, Captain Dave initiated Orange County’s first team Beach Cleanup in 2008. He continues to raise awareness of the thousands of whales and dolphins that die in fishing-gear entanglements every day worldwide.
Captain Dave’s Whale Watching team is also proud to host in Southern California to keep plastic and trash out of our oceans. Reef-safe sunscreen is also offered onboard to protect guests’ skin without hurting the wildlife in and around Dana Point. You can learn more about the various ways in which the company contributes by reading our comprehensive page.
Book a Life-Changing Tour: Whale Watching in Southern California
Now, with more than two decades in the business, Mr. and Mrs. Captain Dave continue to spend their days taking romantic ocean cruises… and guiding them, too!
Captain Dave’s Whale Watching team would like to invite you to one of our famous whale watching tours in Southern California and see what our passion for marine mammals is all about. The proceeds from every ticket purchased helps to preserve this magnificent area for future generations. And you never know—it might even change your life!