Typical 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: Blue 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
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 2020 Daily Whale Watching Sightings Log
| Date | No. of Trips | Sightings |
| Sept 30 | 3 | 2 Fin Whales, 2,500 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 29 | 4 | 750 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 28 | 4 | 1 Humpback Whale, 800 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Sept 27 | 12 | 4 Fin Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 3,300 Common Dolphins, 330 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Pacific White-sided Dolphin, 1 Shark |
| Sept 26 | 14 | 15 Fin Whales, 4,150 Common Dolphins, 362 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Sept 25 | 7 | 6 Fin Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 2,850 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 24 | 3 | 2 Bryde’s Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 400 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 23 | 4 | 3 Fin Whales, 600 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Shark |
| Sept 22 | 3 | 2 Blue Whales (Including Notcho), 900 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 21 | 3 | 1,050 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 20 | 12 | 5 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,600 Common Dolphins, 32 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola |
| Sept 19 | 14 | 5 Fin Whales, 1 Possible Blue/Fin Whale Hybrid, 1,850 Common Dolphins, 425 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 5 Flying Fish |
| Sept 18 | 4 | 1,600 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 17 | 2 | 1 Minke Whale, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Sept 16 | 4 | 1,300 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 15 | 3 | 600 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 14 | 3 | 880 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 13 | 7 | 973 Common Dolphins, 1 Mako Shark |
| Sept 12 | 11 | 1,315 Common Dolphins, 290 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| Sept 11 | 2 | 135 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) |
| Sept 10 | 2 | 400 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 9 | 2 | 2,000 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 8 | 4 | 200 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 2 Mola Mola |
| Sept 7 | 10 | 1 Minke Whale, 270 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Swordfish |
| Sept 6 | 15 | 1 Minke Whale, 2,375 Common Dolphins, 211 Bottlenose Dolphins, 10 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Great White Shark |
| Sept 5 | 14 | 1 Minke Whale, 2,650 Common Dolphins, 225 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 5 Mola Mola |
| Sept 4 | 5 | 1,350 Common Dolphins, 1 Swordfish |
| Sept 3 | 3 | 1 Minke Whale, 650 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) |
| Sept 2 | 2 | 400 Common Dolphins |
| Sept 1 | 4 | 1 Minke Whale, 450 Common Dolphins |
2020 Archive Whale Watching Sightings Log
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Date No. of Trips Sightings Aug 31 5 1 Minke Whale, 2,000 Common Dolphins, 1 Mako Shark Aug 30 12 2 Minke Whales, 1,475 Common Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 29 13 2,775 Common Dolphins, 273 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 28 4 75 Common Dolphins Aug 27 5 2,500 Common Dolphins Aug 26 5 1,400 Common Dolphins Aug 25 3 70 Bottlenose Dolphins, 50 Common Dolphins Aug 24 4 1,000 Common Dolphins Aug 23 12 2,520 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 22 13 3,725 Common Dolphins Aug 21 6 1,100 Common Dolphins, 132 Risso’s Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Aug 20 5 530 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches) Aug 19 6 150 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 40 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 18 3 125 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 100 Common Dolphins Aug 17 8 2,430 Common Dolphins, 124 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Aug 16 13 1,750 Common Dolphins, 386 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Striped Marlin Aug 15 12 3 Blue Whales, 1 Unidentified Baleen Whale, 3,500 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 14 6 1,870 Common Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Green Sea Turtle, 8 Mola Mola Aug 13 4 730 Common Dolphins, 170 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 12 5 700 Common Dolphins, 132 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 11 6 1,150 Common Dolphins, 1 Great White Shark, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Flying Fish Aug 10 3 1 Humpback Whale, 900 Common Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 9 12 2 Minke Whales, 1,702 Common Dolphins, 91 Bottlenose Dolphins, 90 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Aug 8 12 6 Humpback Whales, 4 Minke Whales, 2,620 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Aug 7 8 8 Minke Whales, 5 Bryde’s Whales, 2,300 Common Dolphins, 48 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola, 3 Flying Fish Aug 6 3 1 Bryde’s Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 1,100 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins Aug 5 8 2 Minke Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 57 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Aug 4 8 1 Minke Whale, 1,650 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Aug 3 5 7 Minke Whales, 880 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including Patches), 1 Mola Mola Aug 2 12 2,550 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins Aug 1 9 5 Minke Whales, 350 Common Dolphins, 85 Bottlenose Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins, 4 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings July 31 4 4 Humpback Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins July 30 5 1 Humpback Whale, 525 Common Dolphins July 29 6 1 Minke Whale, 200 Common Dolphins, 95 Bottlenose Dolphins July 28 6 2,600 Common Dolphins, 23 Bottlenose Dolphins July 27 5 900 Common Dolphins, 129 Bottlenose Dolphins July 26 9 8 Minke Whales, 525 Common Dolphins, 260 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola, 1 Elephant Seal July 25 9 11 Humpback Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 1,430 Common Dolphins, 160 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Green Turtle July 24 7 2 Minke Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 1,920 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola July 23 5 900 Common Dolphins, 275 Bottlenose Dolphins July 22 5 3 Minke Whales, 150 Common Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins July 21 8 2 Minke Whales, 1,400 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola July 20 6 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 725 Common Dolphins July 19 8 14 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 770 Common Dolphins July 18 8 7 Humpback Whales, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 1 Unidentified Baleen Whale, 2,556 Common Dolphins, 125 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola July 17 5 4 Humpback Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola July 16 6 1 Minke Whale, 1,650 Common Dolphins, 95 Bottlenose Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Blue Shark, 1 Mola Mola July 15 5 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,500 Common Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins, 2 Flying Fish, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Stingray July 14 7 1 Humpback Whale, 2,000 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins July 13 6 7 Humpback Whales, 2,200 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola July 12 8 5 Minke Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 2,140 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola July 11 7 5 Minke Whale, 3,800 Common Dolphins July 10 8 4 Humpback Whales, 4 Minke Whales, 2,975 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola July 9 5 1,025 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins July 8 3 2 Humpback Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 1,300 Common Dolphins, 50 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola July 7 7 4 Minke Whales, 1,175 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola July 6 8 1,400 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola July 5 9 10 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 1,900 Common Dolphins July 4 12 8 Humpback Whales, 6 Minke Whales, 1,900 Common Dolphins, 348 Bottlenose Dolphins, July 3 10 4 Minke Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 3,180 Common Dolphins, 270 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including “Patches”), 54 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Masked Booby, 1 Blue-Footed Booby July 2 6 6 Minke Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 800 Common Dolphins July 1 4 2 Minke Whales, 800 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal -
Date No. of Trips Sightings June 30 5 2 Minke Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 29 3 2 Minke Whales, 1 Blue Whale, 1 Humpback Whale, 750 Common Dolphins June 28 9 17 Humpback Whales, 5 Minke Whales, 3,400 Common Dolphins, 30 Risso’s Dolphins June 27 8 6 Minke Whales, 3 Blue Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 3,625 Common Dolphins, 125 Risso’s Dolphins, 33 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Stingray June 26 9 18 Minke Whales, 2,940 Common Dolphins June 25 7 10 Minke Whales, 1 Blue Whale, 1 Humpback Whale, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 30 Risso’s Dolphins June 24 6 3 Minke Whales, 380 Common Dolphins, 245 Risso’s Dolphins June 23 5 7 Minke Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 2,700 Common Dolphins, 55 Bottlenose Dolphins June 22 3 2 Humpback Whales, 1,530 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 21 14 30 Humpback Whales, 15 Minke Whales, 2 Bryde’s Whales, 10,500 Common Dolphins, 4 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Swordfish June 20 11 11 Humpback Whales, 2 Minke Whales, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 3,800 Common Dolphins, 155 Bottlenose Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 19 5 5 Humpback Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 3, 500 Common Dolphins June 18 4 7 Humpback Whales, 2 Bryde’s Whales, 2,200 Common Dolphins June 17 7 4 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 4,400 Common Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins June 16 5 3 Minke Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 3,400 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal, 1 Guadalupe Fur Seal, 1 Mola Mola June 15 3 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 1,300 Common Dolphins June 14 8 6 Minke Whales, 5,600 Common Dolphins, 112 Bottlenose Dolphins, 90 Risso’s Dolphins June 13 11 10 Humpback Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 19,550 Common Dolphins, 9 Bottlenose Dolphins June 12 5 2 Minke Whales, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 12 Bottlenose Dolphins June 11 2 8 Humpback Whales, 7,000 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 10 4 11 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,700 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins June 9 5 14 Humpback Whales (Including Cow/Calf ), 2 Minke Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 2,000 Common Dolphins June 8 3 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 1,400 Common Dolphins June 7 8 10 Humpback Whales, 1,650 Common Dolphins June 6 8 20 Humpback Whales, 2,700 Common Dolphins, 1 Mako Shark June 5 1 200 Common Dolphins June 4 1 300 Common Dolphins June 3 1 1,000 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola June 2 4 512 Common Dolphins (Lots of calves!), 145 Bottlenose Dolphins June 1 3 650 Common Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings May 31 7 2,900 Common Dolphins May 30 10 6,250 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including “Patches”) May 29 5 1 Minke Whale, 3,800 Common Dolphins, 4 Bottlenose Dolphins May 28 2 200 Common Dolphins, 105 Bottlenose Dolphins May 27 3 2,050 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins May 26 6 1 Minke Whale, 1,450 Common Dolphins, 400 Bottlenose Dolphins May 25 11 1 Minke Whale, 6,200 Common Dolphins May 24 11 4, 200 Common Dolphins, 230 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including “Patches”) May 23 5 1,980 Common Dolphins May 22 2 400 Common Dolphins May 21 2 800 Common Dolphins May 20 2 120 Bottlenose Dolphins May 19 0 No Private Charters May 18 2 20 Common Dolphins May 17 5 1 Humpback Whale, 7,150 Common Dolphins May 16 5 2 Minke Whales, 4,300 Common Dolphins May 15 3 1 Minke Whale, 775 Common Dolphins May 14 3 900 Common Dolphins May 13 4 3,800 Common Dolphins May 12 3 2,200 Common Dolphins May 11 2 500 Common Dolphins May 10 7 1 Minke Whale, 1,350 Common Dolphins May 9 8 3,300 Common Dolphins May 8 4 520 Common Dolphins, 100 Bottlenose Dolphins, 10 Risso’s Dolphins May 7 0 No Private Charters May 6 2 5 Humpback Whales, 1,100 Common Dolphins May 5 3 3 Humpback Whales, 500 Common Dolphins, Bioluminescence May 4 0 No Private Charters May 3 3 2 Humpback Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins May 2 3 300 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola May 1 2 1,000 Common Dolphins and lots of bioluminescence -
No public whale watching trips in April due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines.
Check out April’s virtual dolphin and whale watching cruises:
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Date No. of Trips Sightings Mar 31 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 30 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 29 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 28 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 27 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 26 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 25 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 24 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 23 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 22 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 21 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 20 0 Temporarily closed due to Gov. Newsom’s COVID-19 ‘stay-at-home’ guidelines Mar 19 3 3 Gray Whales Mar 18 4 13 Humpback Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 1 Bryde’s Whale, 6,100 Common Dolphins Mar 17 4 12 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 1,200 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 16 3 2 Gray Whales, 450 Common Dolphins, 12 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 15 5 14 Gray Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 100 Common Dolphins, 6 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 14 9 16 Gray Whales, 14 Humpback Whales, 3,505 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal Mar 13 2 9 Gray Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, 20 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Mar 12 2 5 Gray Whales, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 11 4 6 Gray Whales, 130 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including “Patches”) Mar 10 1 No Sightings Mar 9 5 11 Gray Whales, 3,300 Common Dolphins, 22 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 8 9 16 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 1,330 Common Dolphins, 225 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 7 8 21 Gray Whales, 75 Common Dolphins, 13 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Harbor Seal Mar 6 6 13 Gray Whales, 185 Bottlenose Dolphins (Including “Patches”) Mar 5 4 1 Minke Whale, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins, 10 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Mar 4 3 4 Gray Whales, 350 Common Dolphins, 25 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 3 3 7 Gray Whales, 200 Common Dolphins Mar 2 2 5 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 24 Common Dolphins Mar 1 2 3 Gray Whales, 15 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 8 Common Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Feb 29 6 6 Gray Whales, 27 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 28 4 16 Gray Whales, 1,300 Common Dolphins Feb 27 4 7 Gray Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 100 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 26 2 2 Humpback Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins Feb 25 5 700 Common Dolphins, 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal Feb 24 3 8 Humpback Whales, 8 Gray Whales, 1,300 Common Dolphins Feb 23 6 3 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 100 Common Dolphins Feb 22 6 16 Gray Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 21 4 11 Gray Whales, 115 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 20 11 15 Humpback Whales, 11 Gray Whales, 3,100 Common Dolphins, 175 Bottlenose Dolphins, 25 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 19 4 12 Humpback Whales, 3,200 Common Dolphins, 30 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 18 4 8 Humpback Whales, 3,300 Common Dolphins Feb 17 9 19 Gray Whales, 6 Humpback Whales, 1,387 Common Dolphins, 160 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 16 9 13 Gray Whales, 4 Humpback Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 4,340 Common Dolphins, 450 Bottlenose Dolphins, 230 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 1 Sea Turtle Feb 15 10 37 Gray Whales, 6 Humpback Whales, 850 Common Dolphins, 350 Bottlenose Dolphins, 20 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 14 5 12 Gray Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 62 Bottlenose Dolphins, 112 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 13 3 9 Humpback Whales, 9 Gray Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 250 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 10 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 12 4 4 Humpback Whales, 4 Gray Whales, 915 Common Dolphins, 200 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 11 3 9 Gray Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 900 Common Dolphins Feb 10 2 2 Gray Whales (“Mugged” our boats, Watch Video), 100 Common Dolphins Feb 9 2 5 Gray Whales, 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 8 8 22 Gray Whales, 80 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 18 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 7 3 4 Gray Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, 24 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 6 3 14 Gray Whales, 550 Common Dolphins Feb 5 2 4 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 600 Common Dolphins Feb 4 1 3 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf) Feb 3 0 Inclement Weather Feb 2 6 13 Gray Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, 65 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Feb 1 8 31 Gray Whales, 650 Common Dolphins, 162 Pacific White-sided Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Jan 31 4 15 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 300 Common Dolphins, 24 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 4 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 30 4 21 Gray Whales, 700 Common Dolphins, 25 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 29 3 7 Gray Whales Jan 28 2 5 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 100 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 27 3 8 Gray Whales, 150 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 26 5 6 Gray Whales, 425 Common Dolphins, 25 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 25 6 22 Gray Whales, 70 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 40 Common Dolphins Jan 24 5 10 Gray Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, 100 Risso’s Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 23 4 8 Gray Whales, 172 Risso’s Dolphins, 15 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 22 2 10 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 50 Common Dolphins, 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 21 4 14 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 149 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 20 3 5 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Calf), 120 Common Dolphins, 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 19 6 19 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Newborn Calf), 137 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 151 Common Dolphins Jan 18 6 4 Gray Whales, 450 Common Dolphins, 185 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 17 3 8 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Newborn Calf), 200 Common Dolphins, 85 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 16 2 2 Gray Whales, 100 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 15 2 1 Gray Whale Jan 14 4 2 Gray Whales, 300 Common Dolphins, 60 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 13 1 700 Common Dolphins Jan 12 4 2 Gray Whales, 760 Common Dolphins, 20 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 11 5 2,500 Common Dolphins Jan 10 3 2 Gray Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 400 Common Dolphins, 20 Risso’s Dolphins, 4 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 9 0 Inclement Weather Jan 8 2 200 Common Dolphins, 60 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 7 3 8 Gray Whales (Including Cow/Newborn Calf ), 106 Common Dolphins, 100 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 6 6 9 Gray Whales, 900 Common Dolphins, 565 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 5 4 7 Gray Whales, 130 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 18 Common Dolphins Jan 4 6 655 Common Dolphins, 50 Pacific White-sided Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 3 6 3 Gray Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins, 15 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 2 7 3 Gray Whales, 1,350 Common Dolphins, 249 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 1 7 8 Gray Whales, 700 Common Dolphins, 180 Pacific White-sided Dolphins
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.
2019 Whale Watching Stats
830
Gray Whales
174
Blue Whales
229
Humpback Whales
427,279
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.
