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Capt. Dave's Blog

Dana Point

Five Fabulous Tips for Photographing Whales and Dolphins

Marine life photography is a great motivation to get out in the water and capture some beautiful wildlife in their ocean home! At Captain Dave’s Whale Watching in Dana Point, we are lucky to admire a wide array of marine life from soaring seabirds to migrating whales to mega-pods of dolphins that call Dana Point…

Where Can You See Gray Whales in California?

Each year something magical happens along the California coastline, and from roughly December through May, gray whales journey on an annual trek from chilly Arctic waters to the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico. This gives whale watchers and beachgoers alike an extraordinary opportunity to see the whales as they pass and you’re almost guaranteed…

What Weather is Best for Whale Watching?

Why should you book a whale watching trip in Dana Point? Over 275 days of sunshine each year earns Orange County the title for the best weather for whale watching. No matter what day you choose to go, it is likely you will be surrounded by sunshine and moderate whale watching weather. In our humble opinion, the best time…

What Does an Experienced Whale Watcher Have in Their Go Bag?

Did you just book a whale watching trip? And, are you already feeling excited about what you may see on your trip but aren’t sure what to bring on whale watching day? Experienced whale watchers anxiously await sighting their favorite animals and know rare sightings can happen at a moment’s notice. These feelings are one…

Top Ten Surprising Things About Whale Watching in Dana Point

On your upcoming Dana Point whale watching excursion, surprised faces are what you’ll see when more than 66,000 massive tons of pure power lunge out of the water. Our passengers have an up-close and personal look at a whale as it gracefully soars through the air. Booking a trip on a Dana Point whale watching excursion with Capt….

Are Blue Whales Friendly?

May is the unofficial start to blue whale season, and seeing one of the world’s magnificent gentle giants roaming free in the sea may be rare in other parts of the world, but right here in Dana Point, California, we anxiously await this time of year! If you wonder, “are blue whales friendly” and are…

6 Things That Are Amazing About Minke Whales

Ever heard of a minke whale (pronounced mink-eee)? Minkes may be one of the smallest of the great rorqual whales, but they are swift and sweet and the minke whale facts we can’t wait to share with you are sure to make you fall in love with these amazing animals. Minkes are curious creatures and can sometimes…

Can You See Whales from the Shore in Dana Point?

Seeing whales from the shore is not an uncommon sighting and has made Dana Point, California, the Whale Watching Capital of the World®. South Orange County is home to some of the country’s best whale watching off Dana Point because our oceans are filled to the brim with various species of dolphins and whales, pinnipeds,…

Whales and Dolphins Inspire Reading on International Children’s Book Day

Everywhere around the world, children and families alike come together and celebrate the literary world of children’s books. Books of all themes and storylines help shape the young minds of millions of children throughout countries worldwide. International Children’s Book Day is a celebration dating back to 1967. This commemorative day is held annually on April…

What’s it like to be a Marine Naturalist in the Whale Watching Capital of the World

“What is it that you do for work?” A normal question most people get when meeting or getting to know  someone for the first time. A small smile always crosses my lips right before I answer, knowing the shocked or  confused face that will follow as I answer, “I’m a Marine Mammal Naturalist with Dana…