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.
November-December 2022 Daily Whale Watching Sightings Log
| Date | No. of Trips | Sightings |
| Dec 5 | 1 | 500 Common Dolphins |
| Dec 4 | 3 | 6 Humpback Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 9,000 Common Dolphins |
| Dec 3 | 3 | 2 Humpback Whales, 4,000 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Dec 2 | 2 | 750 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| Dec 1 | 1 | 100 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 30 | 2 | 375 Common Dolphins |
| Nov 29 | 2 | 400 Common Dolphins |
| Nov 28 | 2 | 4 Fin Whales, 1 Unidentified Baleen Whale |
| Nov 27 | 3 | 11 Fin Whales, 1,100 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 26 | 4 | 1 Humpback Whale |
| Nov 25 | 7 | 1 Fin Whale, 3,700 Common Dolphins, 1 Blue Shark |
| Nov 24 | 0 | Happy Thanksgiving! |
| Nov 23 | 4 | 4 Humpback Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola, 1 Elephant Seal |
| Nov 22 | 3 | 3 Humpback Whales, 6,000 Common Dolphins, 95 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| Nov 21 | 4 | 7 Humpback Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 2 Bryde’s Whales, 14,000 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 20 | 4 | 10 Humpback Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 7,000 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 19 | 4 | 4 Fin Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 12,000 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 18 | 2 | 1 Fin Whale, 3,000 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 17 | 3 | 1 Humpback Whale, 4,200 Common Dolphins |
| Nov 16 | 2 | 1 Fin Whale, 1 Humpback Whale, 5,300 Common Dolphins |
| Nov 15 | 3 | 3 Humpback Whales, 2,500 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins, 80 Risso’s Dolphins |
| Nov 14 | 3 | 2 Humpback Whales, 6,500 Common Dolphins |
| Nov 13 | 4 | 5 Humpback Whales, 2,800 Common Dolphins, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| Nov 12 | 5 | 6 Humpback Whales, 7,000 Common Dolphins, 210 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola |
| Nov 11 | 4 | 3,100 Common Dolphins, 120 Risso’s Dolphins |
| Nov 10 | 3 | 9 Humpback Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 4,200 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 9 | 2 | 100 Common Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 8 | 0 | Inclement Weather |
| Nov 7 | 4 | 3 Fin Whales, 885 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) |
| Nov 6 | 5 | 5 Humpback Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 2,500 Common Dolphins |
| Nov 5 | 6 | 10 Humpback Whales, 2,850 Common Dolphins, 195 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) |
| Nov 4 | 5 | 1 Minke Whale, 3,250 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Nov 3 | 0 | Inclement Weather |
| Nov 2 | 1 | No Sightings |
| Nov 1 | 4 | 1,700 Common Dolphins |
2022 Archive Whale Watching Sightings Log
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Date No. of Trips Sightings Oct 31 1 2 Humpback Whales Oct 30 4 1 Fin Whale, 1 Humpback Whale, 900 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Oct 29 4 12 Humpback Whales, 8 Fin Whales, 4,000 Common Dolphins Oct 28 5 16 Humpback Whales, 2,500 Common Dolphins Oct 27 4 18 Humpback Whales, 4,800 Common Dolphins, 105 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 26 3 2 Humpback Whales, 1,700 Common Dolphins Oct 25 4 3 Humpback Whales, 2,600 Common Dolphins, 120 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 24 3 300 Common Dolphins, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 23 5 750 Common Dolphins, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Oct 22 7 4 Humpback Whales, 950 Common Dolphins, 95 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 21 3 550 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Oct 20 2 1 Humpback Whale, 530 Common Dolphins, 115 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 19 5 2 Minke Whales, 1 Humpback Whales, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 1,500 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 18 3 14 Humpback Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 3,600 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 17 3 1 Humpback Whale, 700 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Oct 16 6 7 Humpback Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 5,075 Common Dolphins, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 12 Risso’s Dolphins Oct 15 5 9 Humpback Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 4,250 Common Dolphins, 1 Red-footed Booby Oct 14 4 2 Fin Whales, 975 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola mola Oct 13 3 1,400 Common Dolphins Oct 12 3 1,500 Common Dolphins, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Oct 11 3 420 Common Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Oct 10 5 2,400 Common Dolphins Oct 9 7 1 Entangled Humpback Whale (Most of the line was successfully removed by trained rescuers), 1 Minke Whale, 3,200 Common Dolphins, 14 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 8 7 2 Bryde’s Whales, 1 Entangled Humpback Whale, 775 Common Dolphins, 700 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 7 9 4,800 Common Dolphins, 350 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 6 5 1 Fin Whale, 3,800 Common Dolphins, 125 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Oct 5 2 2 Fin Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Swordfish, 1 Sea Turtle Oct 4 3 2,200 Common Dolphins, 115 Risso’s Dolphins, 12 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Oct 3 5 2 Minke Whales, 1,750 Common Dolphins, 30 Risso’s Dolphins Oct 2 9 3,150 Common Dolphins, 73 Bottlenose Dolphins Oct 1 7 5,200 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Sept 30 5 800 Common Dolphins, 145 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 29 4 1,800 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Sept 28 5 650 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 8 Risso’s Dolphins Sept 27 4 2 Blue Whales, 170 Bottlenose Dolphins, 115 Common Dolphins Sept 26 3 1,100 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 25 6 1,150 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 24 8 1,700 Common Dolphins, 6 Harbor Seals, 1 Mola mola Sept 23 4 3 Blue Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 22 5 4,600 Common Dolphins, 295 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 21 4 400 Common Dolphins Sept 20 2 900 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 19 3 1 Humpback Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 300 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 18 5 1,900 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 17 8 7,472 Common Dolphins, Sept 16 7 5 Blue Whales, 3,500 Common Dolphins, 55 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Sept 15 4 1,100 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 14 5 1,600 Common Dolphins Sept 13 3 1,800 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 12 4 875 Common Dolphins Sept 11 3 3 Blue Whales, 875 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 10 0 Inclement Weather Sept 9 0 Inclement Weather Sept 8 3 3 Blue Whales, 250 Common Dolphins Sept 7 2 425 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Sept 6 3 2 Blue Whales, 1,400 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 30 Risso’s Dolphins Sept 5 10 10 Blue Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 5,500 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Sept 4 14 14 Blue Whales, 5 Fin Whales, 1,700 Common Dolphins, 8 Bottlenose Dolphins Sept 3 11 11 Blue Whales, 325 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola mola Sept 2 6 6 Fin Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal, 1 Ray Sept 1 5 1,500 Common Dolphins, 130 Risso’s Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Aug 31 5 1,730 Common Dolphins, 75 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins, 7 Harbor Seals Aug 30 4 2,100 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Nazca Booby Aug 29 4 2 Blue Whales, 890 Common Dolphins Aug 28 9 7 Blue Whales, 3,400 Common Dolphins, 62 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Aug 27 9 5 Blue Whales, 3,200 Common Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 26 8 16 Blue Whales, 2,400 Common Dolphins Aug 25 8 30 Blue Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 24 6 25 Blue Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola mola, 1 Unidentified Shark Aug 23 3 9 Blue Whales, 110 Bottlenose Dolphins, 100 Common Dolphins Aug 22 7 31 Blue Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins Aug 21 10 8 Blue Whales, 3,800 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 20 10 17 Blue Whales, 2,365 Common Dolphins, 14 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Aug 19 7 17 Blue Whales, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 18 4 800 Common Dolphins, 40 Risso’s Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola, 1 Sea Turtle Aug 17 4 880 Common Dolphins, 80 Risso’s Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 16 7 8 Blue Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 4,750 Common Dolphins, 105 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola Aug 15 9 2,250 Common Dolphins, 335 Risso’s Dolphins, 190 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Blue Marlin Aug 14 11 2,385 Common Dolphins, 445 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola mola Aug 13 11 1 Minke Whale, 3,525 Common Dolphins, 395 Risso’s Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola, 1 Harbor Seal Aug 12 11 5,920 Common Dolphins, 8 Mola mola, 1 Green Sea Turtle Aug 11 6 1,000 Common Dolphins, 205 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Aug 10 9 2,630 Common Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins, 8 Mola mola, 1 Thresher Shark Aug 9 4 6 Minke Whales, 740 Common Dolphins, 220 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 8 9 2,600 Common Dolphins, 250 Risso’s Dolphins, 4 Harbor Seals, 3 Mola mola, 2 Flying Fish, 1 Unidentified Shark Aug 7 9 3,050 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Harbor Seals, 3 Mola mola Aug 6 11 1 Bryde’s Whale, 2,325 Common Dolphins, 415 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola Aug 5 7 5 Bryde’s Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 3,000 Common Dolphins, 6 Mola mola, 1 Harbor Seal Aug 4 10 5 Minke Whales, 3,900 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins, 5 Mola mola Aug 3 8 1,425 Common Dolphins, 355 Bottlenose Dolphins, 13 Mola mola Aug 2 8 2,950 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola mola, 2 Flying Fish Aug 1 4 1,600 Common Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings July 31 9 4,250 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola mola July 30 11 3 Blue Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1 Minke Whale, 2,700 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola, 1 Harbor Seal July 29 10 1 Minke Whale, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins July 28 8 4,800 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola July 27 12 700 Common Dolphins, 365 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) July 26 8 4,150 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola mola, 1 Nazca Booby July 25 5 900 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola July 24 14 3,650 Common Dolphins, 448 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola mola, 1 Blue Shark July 23 10 2,300 Common Dolphins, 215 Risso’s Dolphins, 52 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola July 22 8 3,700 Common Dolphins, 235 Bottlenose Dolphins, 200 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 Mola mola July 21 6 1,350 Common Dolphins, 130 Risso’s Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Sea Turtle, 2 Peregrine Falcons July 20 10 1,350 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 10 Mola mola July 19 8 2 Blue Whales, 1,350 Common Dolphins, 103 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 5 Mola mola July 18 6 1,150 Common Dolphins, 169 Bottlenose Dolphins, 7 Mola mola July 17 12 2,200 Common Dolphins, 320 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 Mola mola July 16 12 2,050 Common Dolphins, 395 Bottlenose Dolphins, 305 Risso’s Dolphins, 6 Mola mola July 15 6 3 Blue Whales, 1,100 Common Dolphins, 180 Risso’s Dolphins, 6 Mola mola July 14 8 27 Blue Whales, 1,525 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 5 Mola mola July 13 9 26 Blue Whales, 475 Common Dolphins, 5 Mola mola July 12 7 2 Blue Whales, 1,650 Common Dolphins, 5 Mola mola, 1 Shark July 11 5 7 Blue Whales, 400 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola July 10 10 14 Blue Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1,220 Common Dolphins, 130 Risso’s Dolphins, 6 Mola mola July 9 12 10 Blue Whales, 1,025 Common Dolphins, 185 Risso’s Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola mola July 8 7 26 Blue Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 550 Common Dolphins July 7 9 23 Blue Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola July 6 9 20 Blue Whales, 750 Common Dolphins, 70 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins, 14 Mola mola July 5 5 4 Blue Whales (Cow/Calf), 1,150 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola mola July 4 6 740 Common Dolphins, 110 Risso’s Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins July 3 11 3 Humpback Whales, 2,000 Common Dolphins, 12 Risso’s Dolphins, 10 Mola mola July 2 11 6 Blue Whales, 2,400 Common Dolphins, 95 Risso’s Dolphins, 29 Mola mola July 1 6 1,800 Common Dolphins, 100 Risso’s Dolphins, 23 Mola mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings June 30 5 705 Common Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins, 13 Mola mola, 1 Swordfish June 29 6 900 Common Dolphins, 165 Bottlenose Dolphins, 21 Mola mola June 28 6 2 Minke Whales, 2,100 Common Dolphins, 13 Bottlenose Dolphins, 17 Mola mola, 1 Entangled Fur Seal June 27 5 420 Common Dolphins, 186 Bottlenose Dolphins, 5 Mola mola June 26 7 4 Minke Whales, 4,000 Common Dolphins, 8 Mola Mola, 2 Purple-striped Jellyfish June 25 6 1,900 Common Dolphins, 30 Risso’s Dolphins June 24 7 1 Minke Whale, 1,215 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola mola June 23 3 500 Common Dolphins June 22 8 1,050 Common Dolphins, 170 Risso’s Dolphins June 21 7 10 Blue Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2,000 Common Dolphins, 145 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola mola June 20 5 1,085 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola mola June 19 12 7 Blue Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 5,175 Common Dolphins, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola mola June 18 8 3,775 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola June 17 5 2 Fin Whales, 1,150 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola mola June 16 5 1,800 Common Dolphins, 121 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 100 Risso’s Dolphins June 15 4 1 Gray Whale (Entangled), 460 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola June 14 4 1,100 Common Dolphins, 300 Risso’s Dolphins, 2 Mola mola June 13 3 200 Bottlenose Dolphins, 100 Common Dolphins June 12 6 500 Common Dolphins, 300 Bottlenose Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola mola June 11 10 5 Humpback Whales, 2 Blue Whales, 2,800 Common Dolphins, 208 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola mola June 10 5 1,700 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Harbor Seals June 9 5 500 Common Dolphins, 305 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 8 Pacific White-sided Dolphins June 8 5 700 Common Dolphins, 140 Bottlenose Dolphins, 65 Risso’s Dolphins, 4 Mola mola June 7 5 7 Humpback Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1 Blue Whale, 950 Common Dolphins, 90 Bottlenose Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins, 2 Mola mola June 6 3 450 Common Dolphins June 5 6 6,400 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 51 Risso’s Dolphins, 2 Mola mola June 4 7 5 Blue Whales, 2,150 Common Dolphins, 220 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola mola, 1 Elephant Seal June 3 4 2,350 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola mola June 2 4 275 Common Dolphins, 70 Risso’s Dolphins June 1 3 1,300 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings May 31 3 600 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 5 Mola mola May 30 4 1,100 Common Dolphins May 29 7 275 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 170 Common Dolphins May 28 8 410 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 100 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola May 27 4 900 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins May 26 3 100 Common Dolphins, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins May 25 3 725 Common Dolphins May 24 5 850 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola May 23 5 120 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 22 7 475 Common Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola May 21 6 3 Fin Whales, 555 Common Dolphins, 130 Risso’s Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mako Shark May 20 7 754 Common Dolphins May 19 3 310 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins May 18 5 5 Fin Whales, 400 Common Dolphins May 17 2 10 Fin Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 15 Risso’s Dolphins, 3 Northern Right Whale Dolphins (Rare) May 16 5 23 Fin Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, 10 Risso’s Dolphins, 8 Mola Mola May 15 6 6 Fin Whales, 1 Unidentified Baleen Whale, 1,200 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 14 9 6 Fin Whales, 1,450 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins, 5 Mola Mola May 13 5 1 Minke Whale, 3,800 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 12 2 150 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins May 11 1 500 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 10 2 200 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 9 1 500 Common Dolphins May 8 6 650 Common Dolphins May 7 9 2,260 Common Dolphins, 200 Risso’s Dolphins May 6 8 4 Humpback Whales, 2,050 Common Dolphins, 215 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Fur Seal May 5 5 2,750 Common Dolphins May 4 1 300 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins May 3 2 2 Fin Whales, 400 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 2 3 10 Fin Whales, 400 Common Dolphins May 1 7 750 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Apr 30 7 1,400 Common Dolphins, 210 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 2 Harbor Seals Apr 29 6 2 Gray Whales (Cow/Calf), 2,175 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Apr 28 6 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,600 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Apr 27 3 650 Common Dolphins, 95 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Apr 26 5 6 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1 Minke Whale, 1,730 Common Dolphins, 160 Risso’s Dolphins, 9 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Apr 25 5 7 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1,300 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Apr 24 8 2 Fin Whales, 1,700 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 2 Mola Mola Apr 23 9 12 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 600 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Apr 22 5 No Sightings Apr 21 6 11 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 500 Common Dolphins, 320 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Apr 20 6 1,500 Common Dolphins, 1 Swordfish Apr 19 7 8 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2,000 Common Dolphins, 12 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Swordfish Apr 18 7 9,230 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Swordfish, 1 Mola Mola Apr 17 0 Happy Easter! Apr 16 11 340 Bottlenose Dolphins, 267 Common Dolphins Apr 15 7 2,200 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Apr 14 8 3 Gray Whales, 4,400 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Apr 13 8 17 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 32 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Apr 12 0 Inclement Weather Apr 11 3 6 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2 Bottlenose Dolphins Apr 10 8 14 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1,400 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola, 1 Sea Turtle Apr 9 8 6 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 4,800 Common Dolphins, 12 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola Apr 8 6 1,400 Common Dolphin, 140 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Apr 7 7 9 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 5,600 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins Apr 6 6 1 Gray Whale, 120 Bottlenose Dolphins, 60 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Apr 5 5 1 Gray Whale, 247 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Apr 4 5 2 Gray Whales, 3,975 Common Dolphins, 115 Bottlenose Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola, 1 Unidentified Shark Apr 3 4 5 Gray Whales, 400 Common Dolphins Apr 2 12 20 Gray Whales, 350 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 350 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Apr 1 8 17 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 2,600 Common Dolphins, 11 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Unidentified Shark, 1 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Mar 31 4 1 Blue Whale (Our 1st of the Year), 1,000 Common Dolphins Mar 30 7 11 Gray Whales, 303 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Mar 29 5 6 Gray Whales (including Cow/Calf), 300 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal Mar 28 0 Inclement Weather Mar 27 7 4 Gray Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Mar 26 10 22 Gray Whales, 750 Common Dolphins, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Mar 25 5 2 Gray Whales, 700 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Mar 24 5 3,100 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 23 9 10 Gray Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 205 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 105 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Mar 22 5 3 Gray Whales, 250 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 4 Mola Mola, 2 Harbor Seals, 1 Green Sea Turtle Mar 21 8 26 Gray Whales, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Mar 20 8 3 Gray Whales, About 30 False Killer Whales (Rare!), 3,100 Common Dolphins, 15 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Mar 19 10 15 Gray Whales, 5,200 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 18 6 10 Gray Whales, 600 Common Dolphins, 190 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Mar 17 6 12 Gray Whales, 350 Common Dolphins, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Mar 16 8 12 Gray Whales, 3 Fin Whales, 104 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Mar 15 4 4 Gray Whales, 130 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Possible Thresher Shark Mar 14 6 11 Gray Whales, 1,300 Common Dolphins Mar 13 11 22 Gray Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 7 Mola Mola Mar 12 11 15 Gray Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 3,900 Common Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Mar 11 6 5 Fin Whales, 5 Gray Whales, 105 Common Dolphins, 104 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Pacific White-sided Dolphin, 1 Mola Mola Mar 10 4 7 Fin Whales, 4 Gray Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Mar 9 3 8 Humpback Whales, 5 Fin Whales, 5 Gray Whales, 500 Common Dolphins, 220 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Mar 8 6 9 Fin Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 225 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 7 5 4 Gray Whales, 2,500 Common Dolphins, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Mar 6 13 30 Gray Whales, 425 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Mar 5 0 Inclement Weather Mar 4 2 3 Gray Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Mar 3 4 14 Gray Whales, 105 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 75 Common Dolphins Mar 2 4 5 Gray Whales, 1,400 Common Dolphins, 105 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Mar 1, 2022 5 10 Gray Whales, 140 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 2 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Feb 28 3 2 Gray Whales, 3 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 27 10 30 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 26 9 6 Gray Whales, 445 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 70 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 25 3 6 Gray Whales, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 27 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 24 6 18 Gray Whales, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 40 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Feb 23 0 Inclement Weather Feb 22 0 Inclement Weather Feb 21 7 4 Gray Whales, 165 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Feb 20 13 29 Gray Whales, 760 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 115 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 19 11 6 Gray Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 15,500 Common Dolphins, 95 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 18 6 15 Gray Whales, 1,200 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 17 3 7 Gray Whales, 177 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 16 4 11 Gray Whales, 1,700 Common Dolphins, 12 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Feb 15 2 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 4 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 14 3 2 Gray Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 100 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 13 8 16 Gray Whales, 1,505 Common Dolphins, 185 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Feb 12 10 11 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 332 Common Dolphins, 312 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 75 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 51 Mola Mola, 3 Mako Sharks, 5 Unidentified Sharks Feb 11 3 1 Gray Whale, 4,000 Common Dolphins, 155 Bottlenose Dolphins, 15 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Mako Shark Feb 10 4 3 Gray Whales, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 85 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 40 Risso’s Dolphins Feb 9 3 3 Gray Whales, 150 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 40 Common Dolphins Feb 8 4 4 Gray Whales, 300 Common Dolphins, 165 Bottlenose Dolphins, 20 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 7 3 5 Gray Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 375 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 6 8 8 Gray Whales, 445 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 300 Common Dolphins Feb 5 6 9 Gray Whales, 1,230 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins, 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 4 3 2 Fin Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 3 3 11 Gray Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 20 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 2 1 2 Gray Whales Feb 1, 2022 1 3 Gray Whales, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 5 Common Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Jan 31 2 1 Fin Whale, 1 Gray Whale, 175 Risso’s Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 30 6 10 Gray Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 29 6 9 Fin Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 2,550 Common Dolphins, 75 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 28 2 3 Fin Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 27 3 4 Gray Whales, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 25 Common Dolphins, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 26 4 6 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1,800 Common Dolphins Jan 25 2 1 Gray Whale, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 50 Common Dolphins, 40 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 24 2 1 Fin Whale, 200 Common Dolphins, 55 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 23 5 6 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 125 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Jan 22 6 7 Fin Whales, 6 Humpback Whales, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 21 4 8 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 401 Common Dolphins Jan 20 4 8 Gray Whales, 4 Fin Whales, 350 Common Dolphins, 55 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 19 3 6 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 525 Common Dolphins Jan 18 2 2 Fin Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 600 Common Dolphins Jan 17 4 6 Fin Whales, 4 Gray Whales, 225 Common Dolphins, 110 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 16 4 6 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 1,500 Common Dolphins Jan 15 0 Harbor Closed Jan 14 3 6 Gray Whales, 500 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Jan 13 1 2 Gray Whales, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 12 2 4 Fin Whales, 4 Gray Whales, 4 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 11 2 4 Fin Whales, 70 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Jan 10 1 150 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 9 2 8 Gray Whales, 1,500 Common Dolphins Jan 8 5 13 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1 Fin Whale, 1,150 Common Dolphins, 35 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 7 3 8 Gray Whales, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 6 2 4 Gray Whales, 275 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Jan 5 3 1 Gray Whale, 350 Common Dolphins, 115 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 45 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 4 2 4 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 250 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 3 3 1 Gray Whale, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 55 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 2 8 9 Gray Whales, 1,300 Common Dolphins, 310 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 1, 2022 8 2 Gray Whales, 10,000 Common Dolphins, 215 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches)
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
2021 Whale Watching Stats
940
Gray Whales
250
Fin Whales
136
Humpback Whales
743,336
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.
