Quick Details
DELUXE CRUISE
Dec 11, 12, 13
Adult
Age 13+
$ 62.54
Child/Infant
Up to age 12
$ 57.24
PREMIUM CRUISE
Dec 12 & 13
Adult
Age 13+
$ 79.50
Child/Infant
Up to age 12
$ 74.20
Join us for holiday cheer at Dana Point Harbor’s 51st Annual Boat Parade of Lights!
The 2026 theme is Harboritaville.
Gather your friends and family for a festive evening on the water and experience one of Dana Point Harbor’s favorite holiday traditions from a completely different perspective.
Whichever cruise you choose, you won’t just watch the Boat Parade, you’ll be part of it! Cruise among dazzling decorated boats, wave to spectators along the harbor, and soak up the lights, music, and holiday cheer all around you.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxed evening or a livelier holiday celebration, choose the experience that fits your perfect night out.
And yes, Mrs. Capt. Dave’s yummy Triple Fudge Brownies will be served!
Choose Your Preferred Parade Experience:
| Deluxe Boat Parade Cruise | Premium Boat Parade Cruise |
| Relaxed and casual | Energetic and festive |
| Holiday music | DJ and dancing |
| Fewer passengers | Complimentary drink |
| Covered cockpit area | Enclosed cabin with windows |
| Book Deluxe | Book Premium |
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.
Premium Dana Point Boat Parade Experience
Party Atmosphere • DJ • Complimentary Drink • Indoor & Outdoor Seating
Turn the Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights into a festive holiday night out aboard our spacious double-deck power catamaran, Hoku Nai’a. Your boat is part of the parade, cruising alongside the other decorated vessels as spectators watch and wave from around Dana Point Harbor. The Premium experience brings extra energy to the celebration with a DJ and a lively party atmosphere as you cruise through the beautifully illuminated harbor.
Your ticket includes a complimentary serving of hot chocolate or beer (21+), with additional beer, wine, and soft drinks available for purchase on board. Hoku Nai’a also offers a spacious enclosed cabin on the first deck, plus outdoor viewing areas including the bow and covered upper deck, giving you plenty of ways to enjoy the evening.
For this special event, the vessel’s capacity is reduced from 149 to just 120 guests, giving everyone more room to mingle, explore the vessel, and take in the parade. Choose Premium if your ideal Boat Parade experience includes music, drinks, and a lively holiday celebration.
Deluxe Dana Point Boat Parade Experience
Casual Atmosphere • Fewer Guests • Open-air Seating
Enjoy the Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights at a more relaxed pace aboard one of our catamarans, with a maximum of 49 guests. Your decorated catamaran is part of the parade, cruising alongside the other decorated vessels as spectators watch and wave from shore. The Deluxe experience is all about a casual evening on the water, with fewer guests and festive holiday music playing as you cruise among the beautifully decorated boats.
This primarily open-air experience offers wonderful views of the lights and festivities throughout Dana Point Harbor, with a partially covered cockpit providing some shelter from the elements. Bundle up, grab your favorite people, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season from right in the middle of the celebration.
Choose Deluxe if you prefer a smaller crowd, a laid-back atmosphere, and a classic holiday cruise where the Boat Parade itself takes center stage.
Upgrade Your Dana Point Boat Parade Experience to an Exclusive Private Charter
A private charter means you have the boat to yourselves with only your guests on board, plus our crew to operate the vessel.
Private charters also have optional enhancements and customizations such as food, beverages, live music, and more.
ORCA
Captain Dave’s motor yacht ORCA accommodates up to 6 guests.
Consider ORCA for your boat parade event if you have/want:
- A small group of family or friends that number 6 or less
- An upscale, intimate vessel
- Boat parade viewing enjoyment from the uncovered bow, aft deck, or the enclosed main cabin
1.5 Hours: from $583 plus gratuity*
*It is customary on private charters to tip your crew. Gratuity is added during checkout.
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.
DolphinSafari
Our intimate catamaran DolphinSafari carries up to 20 guests comfortably.
Consider DolphinSafari if you have/want:
- A small to medium sized group of under 20 people
- An economical private charter to experience Dana Point’s Annual Boat Parade of Lights
- Cushioned seating with 360-degree views
- Plenty of space on the bow to see the holiday lights
1.5 Hours: from $954 plus gratuity*
*It is customary on private charters to tip your crew. Gratuity is added during checkout.
Manute’a
Our spacious catamaran Manute’a can accommodate up to 49 guests.
Consider Manute’a if you have/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 $3,180 plus gratuity*
*It is customary on private charters to tip your crew. Gratuity is added during checkout.
Hoku Nai’a
Our 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/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 indoor area that’s enclosed for cool weather protection
- Covered upper deck with lightly-padded bench seats
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.
Santa hats and ‘Ugly’ Christmas Sweaters are encouraged!
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