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.
April-May 2025 Daily Whale Watching Sightings Log
| Date | No. of Trips | Sightings |
| May 12 | 3 | 3 Humpback Whales, 2 Fin Whales, 5,000 Common Dolphins |
| May 11 | 7 | 7,100 Common Dolphins, 34 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola |
| May 10 | 9 | 5 Humpback Whales, 3 Gray Whales, 9,800 Common Dolphins |
| May 9 | 4 | 3,000 Common Dolphins |
| May 8 | 4 | 7,100 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola |
| May 7 | 1 | 1 Humpback Whale, 1,000 Common Dolphins |
| May 6 | 3 | 1 Gray Whale, 5,000 Common Dolphins |
| May 5 | 3 | 912 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola |
| May 4 | 0 | Inclement Weather |
| May 3 | 11 | 5,400 Common Dolphins, 90 Risso’s Dolphins, 60 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola |
| May 2 | 4 | 1 Gray Whale, 3,200 Common Dolphins |
| May 1 | 3 | 2 Fin Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,500 Common Dolphins, 75 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola, Many Velella Velella (By-the-wind Sailors) |
| April 30 | 2 | 4 Humpback Whales, 1,800 Common Dolphins |
| April 29 | 2 | 3 Fin Whales, 3 Minke Whales, 3,000 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola, 1 Fur Seal |
| April 28 | 5 | 15 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 300 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola |
| April 27 | 5 | 5 Fin Whales, 1 Humpback Whale, 3,000 Common Dolphins, 175 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola |
| April 26 | 3 | 1 Fin Whale, 140 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| April 25 | 7 | 3 Fin Whales, 1,500 Common Dolphins |
| April 24 | 7 | 8 Humpback Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 1,200 Common Dolphins, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins, 10 Mola Mola, Many Velella Velella (By-the-wind Sailors) |
| April 23 | 4 | 1 Fin Whale, 475 Common Dolphins, 140 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| April 22 | 5 | 1 Fin Whale, 470 Bottlenose Dolphins, 11 Mola Mola |
| April 21 | 4 | 2 Minke Whales, 550 Common Dolphins, 300 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| April 20 | 0 | Closed; Happy Easter |
| April 19 | 8 | 4 Fin Whales, 3 Humpback Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 400 Common Dolphins, 3 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| April 18 | 5 | 475 Common Dolphins, 1 Shark |
| April 17 | 3 | 3 Fin Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 850 Common Dolphins |
| April 16 | 6 | 2 Minke Whales, 1,050 Common Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola |
| April 15 | 5 | 3,950 Common Dolphins |
| April 14 | 3 | 4 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal |
| April 13 | 5 | 2 Gray Whales (Cow/Calf), 7,350 Common Dolphins |
| April 12 | 6 | 2 Gray Whales, 9,200 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal |
| April 11 | 6 | 2,100 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Tufted Puffins |
| April 10 | 3 | 2,500 Common Dolphins |
| April 9 | 3 | 400 Common Dolphins, 1 Elephant Seal, 1 Mako Shark |
| April 8 | 5 | 325 Common Dolphins, 225 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Purple-Striped Jelly |
| April 7 | 5 | 450 Common Dolphins |
| April 6 | 5 | 9 Humpback Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 3,500 Common Dolphins |
| April 5 | 6 | 5 Fin Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 45 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| April 4 | 7 | 12 Humpback Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 475 Common Dolphins, 170 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 Blue Shark, 1 Purple-Striped Jelly |
| April 3 | 3 | 9 Gray Whales, 57 Bottlenose Dolphins |
| April 2 | 0 | Inclement Weather |
| April 1 | 0 | Inclement Weather |
2025 Archive Whale Watching Sightings Log
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Date No. of Trips Sightings Mar 31 2 2 Gray Whales, 830 Common Dolphins Mar 30 7 39 Gray Whales, 625 Common Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Mar 29 6 9 Gray Whales, 1 Mola Mola Mar 28 6 1 Gray Whale, 630 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 27 4 2 Gray Whales, 2,550 Common Dolphins Mar 26 5 2 Gray Whales, 1,900 Common Dolphins, 25 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Thresher Sharks Mar 25 2 1 Fin Whales, 500 Common Dolphins Mar 24 4 3 Gray Whales, 600 Common Dolphins, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Mar 23 6 11 Gray Whales, 2 Humpback Whales, 1,700 Common Dolphins, 35 Bottlenose Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Mar 22 8 22 Gray Whales, 1,675 Common Dolphins, 215 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Blue Sharks, 1 Elephant Seal Mar 21 6 4,700 Common Dolphins, 105 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 20 3 220 Risso’s Dolphins, 100 Common Dolphins, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 19 7 3 Gray Whales, 2,575 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Mar 18 4 6 Gray Whales Mar 17 6 2 Gray Whales, 1,920 Common Dolphins Mar 16 7 1 Fin Whale, 1 Gray Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 795 Common Dolphins, 32 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Mar 15 8 4 Gray Whales, 1,915 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 14 1 550 Common Dolphins Mar 13 0 Inclement Weather Mar 12 3 60 Common Dolphins Mar 11 2 4 Gray Whales, 600 Common Dolphins Mar 10 8 1 Gray Whale, 2,050 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 9 12 42 Gray Whales, 1,580 Common Dolphins Mar 8 14 54 Gray Whales, 7,950 Common Dolphins, 200 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 7 4 700 Common Dolphins, 170 Bottlenose Dolphins Mar 6 0 Poor Ocean Conditions Mar 5 1 1 Gray Whale, 1,000 Common Dolphins Mar 4 6 4 Gray Whales, 2,150 Common Dolphins, 3 Mola Mola Mar 3 0 Poor Ocean Conditions Mar 2 3 2 Fin Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 500 Common Dolphins Mar 1 7 9 Gray Whales, 6 Fin Whales, 960 Common Dolphins, 50 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Feb 28 3 8 Fin Whales, 275 Common Dolphins Feb 27 4 5 Fin Whales, 3 Gray Whales, 600 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 26 4 16 Gray Whales, 1,000 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins, 2 Mola Mola Feb 25 7 1 Fin Whale, 450 Common Dolphins, 55 Bottlenose Dolphins, 21 Mola Mola Feb 24 3 3 Gray Whales, 150 Common Dolphins, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 23 6 1 Minke Whale, 450 Common Dolphins, 105 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 2 Unidentified Sharks Feb 22 5 4 Gray Whales, 375 Common Dolphins, 90 Bottlenose Dolphins, Feb 21 7 15 Gray Whales, 660 Common Dolphins, Raft of 200 Sea Lions Feb 20 4 4 Gray Whales, 1,400 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 19 5 555 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola, 1 White Shark Feb 18 6 8 Fin Whales, 3 Gray Whales, 150 Common Dolphins Feb 17 6 1,550 Common Dolphins, 2 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 16 7 4 Gray Whales, 1 Fin Whale, 150 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 15 10 3 Gray Whales, 1,060 Common Dolphins, 100 Risso’s Dolphins, 40 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 14 0 Inclement Weather Feb 13 0 Inclement Weather Feb 12 1 No Sightings Feb 11 1 250 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Feb 10 5 850 Common Dolphins Feb 9 3 1 Gray Whale, 105 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 8 6 4 Gray Whales, 1,025 Common Dolphins, 30 Bottlenose Dolphins Feb 7 3 1 Gray Whale, 195 Common Dolphins Feb 6 2 150 Common Dolphins Feb 5 3 900 Common Dolphins Feb 4 1 500 Common Dolphins Feb 3 4 20 Common Dolphins Feb 2 8 1 Gray Whale, 770 Common Dolphins Feb 1 9 6 Gray Whales, 2,550 Common Dolphins -
Date No. of Trips Sightings Jan 31 3 5 Gray Whales Jan 30 4 6 Bigg’s Killer Whales (CA56 & CA133), 3 Gray Whales, 522 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 29 2 1 Gray Whale, 600 Common Dolphins Jan 28 3 400 Common Dolphins Jan 27 2 1 Gray Whale, 1,300 Common Dolphins, 80 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 26 0 Inclement Weather Jan 25 3 100 Common Dolphins Jan 24 5 4,450 Common Dolphins Jan 23 2 No Sightings Jan 22 1 500 Common Dolphins Jan 21 2 200 Common Dolphins, 5 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 20 5 105 Bottlenose Dolphins, 15 Common Dolphins Jan 19 7 7 Humpback Whales, 1 Gray Whale, 12,800 Common Dolphins Jan 18 6 3 Humpback Whales, 29,000 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 17 2 1 Humpback Whale, 1 Minke Whale, 1,000 Common Dolphins Jan 16 4 4,150 Common Dolphins Jan 15 3 1 Humpback Whale, 7,000 Common Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 14 3 2 Gray Whales, 2,550 Common Dolphins Jan 13 2 350 Common Dolphins, 5 Pacific White-sided Dolphins Jan 12 5 1,675 Common Dolphins, 1 Great White Shark, 1 Thresher Shark Jan 11 5 1 Gray Whale, 630 Common Dolphins Jan 10 2 2 Fin Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 3,000 Common Dolphins Jan 9 5 1,600 Common Dolphins, 150 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 8 1 No Sightings Jan 7 1 100 Common Dolphins Jan 6 4 6 Fin Whales, 2,900 Common Dolphins, 65 Bottlenose Dolphins, 1 Mola Mola Jan 5 4 10 Gray Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,025 Common Dolphins Jan 4 6 6 Gray Whales, 3,800 Common Dolphins Jan 3 7 5,100 Common Dolphins, 300 Bottlenose Dolphins Jan 2 6 60 Common Dolphins Jan 1, 2025 7 5,000 Common Dolphins
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
2024 Whale Watching Stats
548
Gray Whales
400
Blue Whales
966
Fin Whales
574
Humpback Whales
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.
