- most popular!
- Whale Watching
- All ages
- 2 hours
Experience premier year-round whale watching in the Whale Watching Capital of the World® with the true pioneers of the industry.
Join us for a Whale Watching Adventure!
The oldest and highest rated in Orange
County with 4,000+ five-star reviews!
Don Hansen introduced old and young to the beauty of the sea
Join us on May 15th as we celebrate with specials!
50% off Whale Watching & Fishing Trips on May 15th!
40% off Gift Certificates when purchased on May 15th!
Experience premier year-round whale watching in the Whale Watching Capital of the World® with the true pioneers of the industry.
Fish for tuna, white sea bass, bonito, and more on our 3/4-day Dana Point fishing trip, our most popular time frame for fishing in Southern California.
Half-day and twilight Dana Point fishing trips are perfect for everyone, from novice to expert fishers! Enjoy the great outdoors on this unique half-day fishing trip.
Relax and enjoy the views during a three-hour boat ride out to Catalina Island or offshore. Once we arrive, this full-day fishing trip is truly amazing! Reserve your spot online.
Cruise to Catalina Island or San Clemente Island on an exciting overnight fishing trip. Hook bluefin tuna, calico bass, dorado, white sea bass, and other varieties.
In the spring and summer, enjoy an evening of sunshine, cool ocean breezes, and romantic sunset views. In the winter, take in the romantic atmosphere of the beautifully lit Dana Point Harbor.
Dana Wharf offers a special 8-hour whale watching trip a few times a year. BOOK NOW for an adventure of a lifetime & a day you won’t soon forget!
HALF PRICE TUESDAY IS BACK!
Half price off the usual adult fare on Tuesdays – Save $28.00!
Join us for the most creative experience on the water! Create your own art aboard the Dana Pride that will be judged by Wyland himself, with multiple winners.
Have the whole boat to yourself on this private whale watching tour! Keep an eye out for dolphins, whales, and other sea life during your unique adventure.
Experience premier year-round whale watching in the Whale Watching Capital of the World® with the true pioneers of the industry.
Join us for the most creative experience on the water! Create your own art aboard the Dana Pride that will be judged by Wyland himself, with multiple winners.
In the spring and summer, enjoy an evening of sunshine, cool ocean breezes, and romantic sunset views. In the winter, take in the romantic atmosphere of the beautifully lit Dana Point Harbor.
World-Famous Dana Point Sportfishing and Whale Watching — But don’t take our word for it!
Choose your next adventure with our selection of Dana Point whale watching tours, Dana Point sportfishing trips, and Dana Point harbor
cruises, like our OC wine cruise, and other events. Explore special offers and choose from one of our unique trips departing daily.
Choose your next adventure with our selection of Dana Point whale watching tours, Dana Point sportfishing trips, and Dana Point harbor cruises, like our OC wine cruise, and other events. Explore special offers and choose from one of our unique trips departing daily.
If you want to see whales, there is no better place to do it than from Dana Point, and there is no better company to do it with than Dana Wharf, the pioneers of the industry. Dana Wharf Whale Watching began in 1971 and was the first whale watching company in Orange County. We offer several unique, year-round, whale watching experiences, the most popular of which is our signature whale and dolphin-watching tour. A two-hour journey off the coast of Dana Point Harbor that puts you in close proximity to some of the ocean’s most beautiful animals including Gray whales, Minke whales, Humpback whales, Fin whales, and Blue whales which can be as big as 100 feet long, and also on rare occasions Cetaceans like the Killer Whales. For those looking for a more personal experience, we also offer private dolphin and whale watching tours. On our private tours, you get the boat to yourself as one of our marine life experts narrates this exclusive whale watching experience. If two hours just isn’t enough for you then we recommend our 8-hour ultimate whale watch tour. All of our trips may get you up close to a number of different whale species and four types of dolphins; the Common Dolphin, the Bottlenose Dolphin (Patches), Risso’s Dolphin, and our Wintertime favorites the Pacific White-Sided Dolphin. Whale watching in Dana Point is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and Dana Wharf makes it possible.
Join Dana Wharf Sportfishing today for an exciting day on the sparkling Southern California waters departing from Dana Point Harbor. Our 3/4 day, nine-hour trip (6 a.m. – 3 p.m.) is our most popular time frame fishing the local waters of Orange County. Our five-hour trip is popular with families, kids, and people who don’t have time for a longer trip. We also offer overnight fishing trips, a kids fishing clinic, and kids fishing camps. On any of the trips, you will have the opportunity to catch Halibut, White Sea Bass, Rockfish, Sheephead, Sand Bass, Calico Bass, even Yellowtail, and Tuna! Board any of our world-class vessels for an unforgettable trip or one of our private yachts well equipped with fishing gear and bait included! Our U.S. Coast Guard inspected vessels are clean, comfortable and include a variety of amenities. Our knowledgeable Captains and crew will take you to the best fishing grounds from Dana Point to San Clemente Island.
This year we have seen over 2,000+ whales including blue whales, gray whales, humpback whales,
and killer whales. Our fishing trips have caught tuna, white sea bass, bonito, and more.
This year we have seen over 2,000+ whales including blue whales, gray whales, humpback whales,
and killer whales. Our fishing trips have caught tuna, white sea bass, bonito, and more.
Best of Dana Point voted Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching the Best Whale Watching, Tackle Shop, and
Harbor Excursion! Thank you for over 50 years of the best adventures and lifelong memories.
Best of Dana Point voted Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching the Best Whale Watching, Tackle Shop, and Harbor Excursion! Thank you for over 50 years of the best adventures and lifelong memories.
In 1958, while running several sport fishing boats off the San Clemente Pier, Don Hansen decided to take children out on a whale watching excursion at the urging of friend and local educator, Philip Grignon. For years, Hansen and his fellow captains had been watching gray whales pass by them but no one was really watching these majestic whales at the time. And just like that, whale watching was born.
In Memory of Captain Don Hansen