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.
September 2021 Daily Whale Watching Sightings Log
| Date | No. of Trips | Sightings |
| Sept 24 | 3 | 600 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 23 | 5 | 950 Common Dolphins, 130 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Sept 22 | 4 | 150 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 21 | 3 | 2 Bryde’s Whales (Cow/Calf, See on All Trips), 15 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola |
| Sept 20 | 3 | 900 Common Dolphins, 10 Harbor Seals |
| Sept 19 | 6 | 2 Bryde’s Whales (Cow/Calf, Seen on All Trips), 800 Common Dolphins, 6 Harbor Seals |
| Sept 18 | 9 | 1,675 Common Dolphins, 400 Bottlenose Dolphins, 40 Risso’s Dolphins |
| Sept 17 | 5 | 4 Humpback Whales, 500 Common Dolphins, 122 Bottlenose Dolphins, 100 Risso’s Dolphins |
| Sept 16 | 3 | 500 Common Dolphins, 125 Risso’s Dolphins |
| Sept 15 | 2 | 800 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) |
| Sept 14 | 4 | 1,100 Common Dolphins, 1 Masked Booby, 1 Shark (Species Obscured) |
| Sept 13 | 3 | 300 Common Dolphins, 55 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) |
| Sept 12 | 4 | 1,200 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 11 | 6 | 2 Baleen Whales (Species Obscured) 320 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola |
| Sept 10 | 3 | 1,200 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Sept 9 | 3 | 1 Humpback Whale (Twitch, Seen on Three Trips), 1,200 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 8 | 3 | 2,390 Common Dolphins, 33 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Sept 7 | 3 | 1 Minke Whale, 1,100 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 6 | 7 | 3 Minke Whales, 3,300 Common Dolphins, 1 Great White Shark |
| Sept 5 | 11 | 7,200 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 6 Harbor Seals, 1 Swordfish |
| Sept 4 | 11 | 1 Minke Whale, 6,500 Common Dolphins, 190 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola |
| Sept 3 | 3 | 1,120 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 2 | 3 | 1,600 Common Dolphins, 1 Mako Shark |
| Sept 1 | 3 | 400 Common Dolphins, 115 Bottlenose Dolphins |
2021 Archive Whale Watching Sightings Log
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Date No. of Trips Sightings Aug 31 2 200 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 30 2 1,000 Common Dolphins, 110 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Aug 29 5 4 Bryde’s Whales (Cow/Calf), 1 Minke Whale, 815 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 7 Harbor Seals Aug 28 9 3,150 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 27 7 1,180 Common Dolphins, 320 Risso’s Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola, 2 Harbor Seals Aug 26 2 200 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 30 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Swordfish Aug 25 4 600 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Aug 24 3 2,300 Common Dolphins, 6 Harbor Seals, 2 Mola Mola Aug 23 3 1 Minke Whale, 900 Common Dolphins, 200 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola, 6 Flying Fish, 1 Mako Shark Aug 22 5 2 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 21 8 14 Bryde’s Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 2,200 Common Dolphins Aug 20 5 4 Bryde’s Whales (Cow/Calf), 2 Minke Whales, 250 Common Dolphins, 104 Bottlenose Dolphins, 90 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 19 2 1 Bryde’s Whale, 800 Common Dolphins Aug 18 4 1,650 Common Dolphins Aug 17 4 3,700 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Aug 16 5 1,500 Common Dolphins, 25 Risso’s Dolphins Aug 15 11 1 Minke Whale, 8,200 Common Dolphins, 318 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 2 Mola Mola Aug 14 6 7,300 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 13 5 3,500 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 12 6 3,225 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 11 8 1 Minke Whale, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 190 Risso’s Dolphins Aug 10 6 2 Minke Whales, 4,100 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Aug 9 6 2 Minke Whales, 2,700 Common Dolphins, 8 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Harbor Seals Aug 8 9 3,800 Common Dolphins, 4 Bottlenose Dolphins, Bluefin Tuna Aug 7 8 1 Bryde’s Whale, 1 Unidentified Baleen Whale, 1,665 Common Dolphins, 290 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mako Shark Aug 6 8 4 Blue Whales, 3 Bryde’s Whales, 1,050 Common Dolphins, 374 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 5 6 2 Bryde’s Whales (Cow/Calf), 710 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mako Sharks, 1 Elephant Seal, Bluefin Tuna Aug 4 10 3,350 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 3 5 325 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal Aug 2 4 70 Common Dolphins, 7 Harbor Seals, 2 Mola Mola, 1 Breaching Shark Aug 1 8 2,015 Common Dolphins, 1 Harbor Seal -
Date No. of Trips Sightings July 31 9 16,650 Common Dolphins July 30 9 7,650 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola, 7 Harbor Seals July 29 7 1 Minke Whale, 2,775 Common Dolphins, 1 Bottlenose Dolphin, 1 Mola Mola July 28 9 3,210 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola July 27 6 170 Risso’s Dolphins, 110 Bottlenose Dolphins July 26 5 875 Common Dolphins, 7 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola July 25 9 1 Minke Whale, 1,675 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Flying Fish July 24 12 3 Minke Whales, 195 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Flying Fish July 23 8 2,130 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins, July 22 5 3,800 Common Dolphins July 21 11 2,200 Common Dolphins, 165 Bottlenose Dolphins July 20 8 1,850 Common Dolphins, 112 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Possible Frilled Shark July 19 9 1 Minke Whale, 1,500 Common Dolphins, 85 Bottlenose Dolphins July 18 7 1,500 Common Dolphins, 13, Bottlenose Dolphins July 17 10 1 Gray Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 1,650 Common Dolphins, 210 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola July 16 7 3 Blue Whales, 4 Fin Whales (1 Entangled), 450 Common Dolphins, 83 Bottlenose Dolphins July 15 8 2 Minke Whales, 2,400 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola July 14 8 1,450 Common Dolphins, 360 Bottlenose Dolphins July 13 8 2 Minke Whales, 1,950 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins July 12 6 1 Gray Whale, 2,275 Common Dolphins July 11 10 1 Minke Whale, 1,040 Common Dolphins, 580 Bottlenose Dolphins July 10 12 3 Minke Whales, 2,575 Common Dolphins, 390 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mako Shark, 1 Flying Fish July 9 5 1 Blue, 400 Common Dolphins, 125 Bottlenose Dolphins, Bluefin Tuna July 8 7 1,300 Common Dolphins, 210 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola July 7 9 4 Blue Whales, 700 Common Dolphins, 85 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 3 Mola Mola, 1 Mako Shark, Bluefin Tuna July 6 8 5,200 Common Dolphins, 1 Juvenile Great White Shark, 1 Green Sea Turtle, 1 Purple-striped Jelly July 5 12 4,300 Common Dolphins, 7 Mola Mola July 4 8 5 Blue Whales, 2,757 Common Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins, 5 Mola Mola July 3 12 6 Blue Whales, 3,580 Common Dolphins, 8 Bottlenose Dolphins, 13 Mola Mola, 1 Mako Shark, 1 Elephant Seal July 2 10 2,350 Common Dolphins, 110 Risso’s Dolphins, 74 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola July 1 6 2 Minke Whales, 3,400 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings June 30 8 5 Blue Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 535 Common Dolphins, 52 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola June 29 7 2 Blue Whales, 380 Common Dolphins, 7 Bottlenose Dolphins June 28 6 3 Blue Whales, 1,500 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola June 27 8 1,900 Common Dolphins, 100 Risso’s Dolphins June 26 11 4 Blue Whales, 3,000 Common Dolphins, 165 Risso’s Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola, 1 Mako Shark June 25 5 5 Blue Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 1 Harbor Seal June 24 7 7 Blue Whales, 125 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal, 1 Falcon June 23 7 870 Common Dolphins, 85 Bottlenose Dolphins June 22 6 615 Common Dolphins June 21 6 6 Blue Whales, 1,630 Common Dolphins, 7 Bottlenose Dolphins June 20 14 3 Minke Whales, 6,430 Common Dolphins, 315 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 45 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 19 13 6,300 Common Dolphins, 225 Bottlenose Dolphins, 40 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 18 5 1 Minke Whale, 700 Common Dolphins, 31 Bottlenose Dolphins June 17 5 1,003 Common Dolphins, 156 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 16 5 400 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 2 Mola Mola June 15 7 4 Minke Whales, 650 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins June 14 7 6 Blue Whales, 1,414 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 13 9 1,250 Common Dolphins, 92 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 5 Mola Mola June 12 11 1,200 Common Dolphins, 435 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 5 Mola Mola June 11 11 4,570 Common Dolphins, 225 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 3 Purple-striped Jellies, 1 Mola Mola June 10 3 550 Common Dolphins, 1 Juvenile Shark June 9 6 4 Fin Whales, 325 Common Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins June 8 5 5 Fin Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 10 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins June 7 5 14 Fin Whales, 1,300 Common Dolphins, 1 Mako Shark, 1 Mola Mola June 6 10 4 Minke Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Blue Whale, 1 Fin Whale, 1,900 Common Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins, 7 Mola Mola, 1 Elephant Seal June 5 8 3 Minke Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 2,750 Common Dolphins, 169 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola June 4 4 4 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 4,100 Common Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins June 3 3 650 Common Dolphins, 45 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola, 1 Shark June 2 3 2 Humpback Whales, 700 Common Dolphins, 12 Bottlenose Dolphins June 1 6 2 Minke Whales, 2,500 Common Dolphins, 240 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 3 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings May 31 9 3,650 Common Dolphins, 22 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola May 30 15 1 Minke Whale, 9,275 Common Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins, 7 Mola Mola May 29 9 3,450 Common Dolphins, 65 Risso’s Dolphins, 12 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola May 28 5 165 Risso’s Dolphins, 105 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 27 3 8 Minke Whales, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 70 Risso’s Dolphins, 47 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola May 26 2 85 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 25 5 1,800 Common Dolphins, 86 Bottlenose Dolphins, 80 Risso’s Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola May 24 4 900 Common Dolphins, 1 Salmon Shark May 23 10 3 Fin Whales, 820 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola May 22 8 2,100 Common Dolphins, 25 Risso’s Dolphins, 8 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola May 21 5 1,812 Common Dolphins May 20 3 150 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 19 4 3 Humpback Whales, 2,000 Common Dolphins May 18 2 50 Common Dolphins May 17 5 11 Fin Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 4,250 Common Dolphins May 16 6 4 Humpback Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 600 Common Dolphins May 15 11 13 Fin Whales, 5 Humpback Whales, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 1,075 Common Dolphins, 270 Risso’s Dolphins, 43 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Harbor Seal May 14 5 4 Humpback Whales, 1,450 Common Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola May 13 5 3 Fin Whales, 1,425 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 12 4 405 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola May 11 5 2 Humpback Whales (Cow/Calf), 6,000 Common Dolphins, 3 Harbor Seals May 10 2 1,000 Common Dolphins May 9 17 7 Humpback Whales (Including Twitch), 2 Fin Whales, 12,415 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 8 14 4 Humpback Whales (Including Twitch), 14,300 Common Dolphins, 6 Mola Mola May 7 4 2,000 Common Dolphins, 125 Bottlenose Dolphins May 6 3 4 Gray Whales (Cow/Calf), 2 Minke Whales, 208 Bottlenose Dolphins, 20 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola May 5 3 1,700 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 4 4 5,000 Common Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola May 3 5 4 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 900 Common Dolphins May 2 6 9 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2 Humpback Whales (Cow/Calf), 1,335 Common Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 1 8 8 Fin Whales, 2,075 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings April 30 5 3 Fin Whales, 600 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola April 29 3 2,500 Common Dolphins, 1 Blue Shark April 28 6 14 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 11 Fin Whales, 475 Common Dolphins, 7 Bottlenose Dolphins April 27 3 4 Fin Whales, 225 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins April 26 2 3 Fin Whales, 500 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola April 25 9 15 Fin Whales, 14 Gray Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 1,700 Common Dolphins, 31 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola April 24 14 19 Fin Whales, 925 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola April 23 5 12 Fin Whales, 2 Common Dolphins, 1 Bottlenose Dolphin April 22 4 8 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1 Fin Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 900 Common Dolphins, 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins April 21 6 2 Fin Whales, 350 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola April 20 5 6 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1 Fin Whale, 77 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola April 19 4 8 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 200 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola April 18 9 26 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 15 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 400 Common Dolphins, 46 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola April 17 13 5 Fin Whales, 3 Gray Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 3,470 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 14 Mola Mola April 16 9 14 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,325 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola April 15 3 4 Fin Whales, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Harbor Seal April 14 2 4 Fin Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 200 Common Dolphins April 13 5 8 Fin Whales, 5 Gray Whales, 1,550 Common Dolphins, 13 Mola Mola April 12 3 4 Gray Whales, 300 Commn Dolphins, 9 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola April 11 11 8 Gray Whales, 5 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 3,400 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 8 Mola Mola April 10 16 31 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 535 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins, 6 Mola Mola April 9 13 2 Gray Whales, 2,190 Common Dolphins, 120 Bottlenose Dolphins, 60 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 11 Mola Mola April 8 11 1 Gray Whale, 5, 700 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola, 1 Great White Shark April 7 14 24 Gray Whales, 3,750 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola April 6 8 2 Gray Whales, 1,400 Common Dolphins, 5 Mola Mola April 5 10 9 Gray Whales, 2,840 Common Dolphins, 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola April 4 0 Happy Easter! April 3 19 37 Gray Whales, 2,780 Common Dolphins, 285 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola April 2 13 44 Gray Whales, 345 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 285 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola April 1 10 11 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 1,750 Common Dolphins, 405 Pacific White-sided Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings March 31 14 8 Gray Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 1,345 Common Dolphins, 241 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 230 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 30 9 25 Gray Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 142 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola March 29 9 10 Gray Whales, 2,820 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 28 15 10 Gray Whales, 1 Blue Whale (On 3 Trips), 7,400 Common Dolphins, 120 Bottlenose Dolphins, 5 Mola Mola, 1 Mako Shark March 27 16 44 Gray Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 10,750 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 26 9 13 Gray Whales, 180 Bottlenose Dolphins, 40 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 25 5 10 Gray Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 75 Pacific White-sided Dolphins March 24 5 19 Gray Whales, 1,700 Common Dolphins, 20 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 23 3 11 Gray Whales, 100 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola March 22 7 23 Gray Whales, 3,100 Common Dolphins, 42 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 21 12 12 Gray Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 9,500 Common Dolphins, 120 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola March 20 13 25-40 False Killer Whales on Six Trips, 6 Gray Whales, 4,050 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 19 7 7 Gray Whales, 4,000 Common Dolphins March 18 6 6 Gray Whales, 2,700 Common Dolphins, 114 Bottlenose Dolphins March 17 8 16 Gray Whales, 3,840 Common Dolphins, 9 Bottlenose Dolphins March 16 7 19 Gray Whales, 1,032 Common Dolphins, 25 Risso’s Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Harbor Seal March 15 0 Inclement Weather March 14 11 14 Gray Whales, 269 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 200 Common Dolphins, 25 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola March 13 14 17 Gray Whales, 135 Common Dolphins, 110 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 75 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 5 Mola Mola March 12 8 34 Gray Whales, 700 Common Dolphins, 160 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 11 1 5 Gray Whales, 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins March 10 0 Inclement Weather March 9 2 1,300 Common Dolphins March 8 6 3 Gray Whales, 1,450 Common Dolphins, 90 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) March 7 15 35 Gray Whales, 5,700 Common Dolphins, 195 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 3 Mola Mola March 6 15 18 Gray Whales, 7 Humpback Whales, 8,200 Common Dolphins, 140 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 3 Mola Mola March 5 4 9 Gray Whales, 2,000 Common Dolphins, 26 Bottlenose Dolphins March 4 2 4 Gray Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 2,000 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola March 3 0 Inclement Weather March 2 3 1 Humpback Whale, 1 Gray Whale, 700 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola March 1 2 6 Gray Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 500 Common Dolphins, 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Feb 28 10 11 Gray Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 2,000 Common Dolphins, 22 Mola Mola, 1 Mako Shark Feb 27 16 13 Gray Whales, 6 Fin Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 2,320 Common Dolphins, 251 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 26 Mola Mola Feb 26 3 425 Common Dolphins Feb 25 3 5 Gray Whales, 1,100 Common Dolphins Feb 24 4 4 Humpback Whales, 4,100 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 23 4 4 Humpback Whales, 2,125 Common Dolphins Feb 22 5 4 Gray Whales, 2,700 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal Feb 21 9 1 Humpback Whale, 1 Gray Whale, 2,800 Common Dolphins, 16 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 20 9 6 Gray Whales, 4,100 Common Dolphins Feb 19 6 9 Gray Whales, 2,000 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 18 3 6 Fin Whales, 3 Gray Whales, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 17 2 2 Fin Whales, 100 Common Dolphins Feb 16 2 1 Gray Whale, 600 Common Dolphins Feb 15 10 7 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 1,414 Common Dolphins, 1 Harbor Seal Feb 14 11 15 Gray Whales, 875 Common Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Feb 13 10 28 Gray Whales, 150 Common Dolphins, 120 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Feb 12 2 2 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 100 Common Dolphins Feb 11 2 1 Gray Whale, 350 Common Dolphins Feb 10 2 3 Gray Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, 80 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 9 1 3 Gray Whales Feb 8 3 1,200 Common Dolphins, 45 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 7 3 4 Gray Whales, 2,300 Common Dolphins Feb 6 9 22 Gray Whales, 1,025 Common Dolphins, 1 Harbor Seal Feb 5 2 3 Gray Whales, 1,525 Common Dolphins Feb 4 1 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 3 1 1 Unidentified Baleen Whale, 300 Common Dolphins, 35 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 2 1 3 Gray Whales Feb 1 2 6 Gray Whales, 60 Common Dolphins, 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Jan 31 5 12 Gray Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 300 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 30 5 5 Gray Whales, 2,008 Common Dolphins, 8 Bottlenose Dolphins, 6 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 29 0 Inclement Weather Jan 28 1 2 Gray Whales, 40 Common Dolphins, 35 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 27 1 3 Gray Whales (Cow/Calf), 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 26 1 2 Gray Whales, 300 Common Dolphins, 1 Masked Booby Jan 25 0 Inclement Weather Jan 24 4 5 Gray Whales, 1,900 Common Dolphins, 4 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 23 1 4 Gray Whales, 300 Common Dolphins, 1 Masked Booby Jan 22 1 300 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 21 2 4 Gray Whales, 202 Common Dolphins Jan 20 0 Inclement Weather Jan 19 0 No Safaris Jan 18 7 2,450 Common Dolphins, 85 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 17 8 15 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2,825 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Jan 16 6 2 Gray Whales, 1,230 Common Dolphins, 114 Risso’s Dolphins, 92 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 32 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Ray Jan 15 5 11 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 4,700 Common Dolphins, 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 14 1 5 Gray Whales, 75 Common Dolphins Jan 13 0 No Safaris Jan 12 1 1,000 Common Dolphins Jan 11 2 2 Minke Whales, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 10 3 3,125 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 32 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 9 3 4 Gray Whales (Cow/Calf), 800 Common Dolphins, 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 8 2 2 Gray Whales, 800 Common Dolphins Jan 7 1 200 Common Dolphins Jan 6 0 No Safaris Jan 5 1 4 Gray Whales, 500 Common Dolphins Jan 4 1 150 Common Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 3 4 2 Gray Whales, 1,700 Common Dolphins, 100 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Bottlenose Dolphin Jan 2 7 2 Gray Whales, 1,200 Common Dolphins, 105 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 1 7 4,390 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
2020 Whale Watching Stats
647
Gray Whales
230
Minke Whales
555
Humpback Whales
477,876
Dolphins
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.
