Whale Watching In Full Swing!

Dana Point is Orange County's best year round whale watching destination. With migrating Gray Whales from November through April and Blue whales visiting from May through November, the harbor is uniquely close to the spots where these animals are most often seen.

Each service offers daily cruises and offers their own style of cruising, so check them out before you decide on your whale watching experience. (Click on links to each operator for more info.)

• Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching
  Call our ticketing company, Zerve
  at 800.979.3370 or 212.209.3370 (int'l)
  Dana Wharf has been Whale Watching since the Harbor opened in 1971. We offer the best value ocean experience, and our fleet of boats include the new 63 foot calm ocean Catamaran the OCEAN ADVENTURES.

• Captain Dave's Whale & Dolphin Safari
  Tel. 949.488.2828
  Trips led by Captain Dave, an experienced Marine Naturalist. Created and produced award winning documentary, "Wild Dolphins and the Whales of Southern California"

• Dick Simon Yachts & Charters
  Whale watching by private charter.
  Tel: 949.493.2011

• The Ocean Institute
  Tel. 949.496.2274
  Journey to sea with Ocean Institute scientists as they introduce you to the local marine wildlife; including an astounding variety of fish, microscopic plankton, and the animals that live in sediment retrieved from the ocean floor. Encounter a pod of playful dolphin or witness the majesty of a traveling whale.

• Aventura Sailing
  Tel. 949.493-9493
  Enjoy the only whale watching excursion powered by the wind aboard one of Aventura’s luxury sailboats.   Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the serenity of being under full sail while you listen to the sounds of the sea and whales as they breach. Bring your cameras and capture the whales as their tails fly high!

Check out a recent podcast of an interview with Dana Wharf's Donna Kalez on the subject of the Whale Festival!