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 2021 Daily Whale Watching Sightings Log
| Date | No. of Trips | Sightings |
| 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 |
| 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 |
2021 Archive Whale Watching Sightings Log
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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.
