Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer

DANA POINT, CALIFORNIA

Dana Wharf Sportfishing
& Whale Watching

ORANGE COUNTY’S Original Whale Watching Company
with 7,000 + 5 Star Reviews

Dana Wharf's Signature Experiences

Explore Dana Point whale watching and dolphin tours, sportfishing trips, harbor cruises, private charters, and special events along the Orange County and Southern California coast. Choose your daily adventure from Dana Point Harbor.


Book Our Most Popular Dana Point
Whale Watching, Sportfishing Trips & Charters

What’s Happening in Dana Point?

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.

World-Famous Dana Point Sportfishing and Whale Watching — But don’t take our word for it!



MEET THE LOCALS

Come see why we are trademarked as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®

Experience Dana Point’s remarkable whales and dolphins with Dana Wharf, family-run and operated since 1971, founded by Don Hansen. As Orange County’s original whale watching company and the first Dana Point Harbor business, we have introduced generations of guests to the incredible marine life found along the Southern California coast.

Our most popular experience is our signature two-hour whale and dolphin watching tour departing from Dana Point Harbor. Depending on the season, guests may encounter gray whales, minke whales, humpback whales, fin whales and magnificent blue whales, the largest animals on Earth. On rare occasions, we may even spot orcas.

The waters off Dana Point are also home to several dolphin species, including common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, Risso’s dolphins and Pacific white-sided dolphins.

For a more personal adventure, reserve a private dolphin and whale watching charter and enjoy the boat with your own group while one of our marine-life experts narrates the experience. For guests who want to spend even more time exploring the ocean, we also offer our eight-hour Ultimate Whale Watching Adventure.

Every trip offers a new opportunity to experience the beauty of the ocean. Join Dana Wharf for an unforgettable whale watching adventure from Dana Point Harbor.

Book A Whale Watching Trip See Our Sightings

Voted Best of Dana Point With 7,000+ Five-Star Reviews

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.

This is my favorite place!

I had family come in from out of state and took them out whale watching for an evening whale watching tour. Although the water was a bit choppy, the captain and crew were great! We loved getting to see the pods of dolphins playing. Such an exciting trip for kids and adults alike. I live in SoCal and have been on several whale watching tours in other locations. This is my favorite place to bring family and friends!

– Lela Robinson, Google
Very friendly staff and crew.

Very friendly staff and crew. Helpful and extremely knowledgeable. We had a naturalist on board that taught the kids all about the different kinds of California whales and dolphins! She was exceptional and sets this company apart from others. I have never had a naturalist on board a whale watching before! It was really nice. She answered all of our questions and was helpful in every way. I highly recommend this company and if you are available on Tuesday’s, it’s half price!!!

– Jack Kavanagh, Google
Great trip!

Great trip! Great crew! Lots of fish! I took 8 grandkids with me (3 for the first time!) and the crew bent over backwards to help them! Across the board, Dana Wharf employees were OUTSTANDING! I highly recommend them, without reservation! You’ll be glad you did!

– Bill Freeman, Google
Great time

I took my daughter on a fishing trip with Dana Wharf Whalewatching and Sports fishing. We had a blast. She caught 4 fish, and I caught 3. Amazing experience for my daughter and I.

– Julie C., Tripadvisor
Dolphins galore

Our captain was able to find us a huge group of dolphins that we were able to drive with and the continued to swim, jump and dance around our boat. 1000's of dolphins. We took our 3 yr old and 1 ye old and they both had a fantastic time.

– Stacy C., Tripadvisor
Fun evening

2 childhood friends were visiting so I took them on the Dana Point wine tasting cruise around the harbor. It was a beautiful evening and very relaxing. Music was great and the wine pours were generous. I’ll go again! Lots of fun!

– Molly N., Tripadvisor
Excellent Job Data Wharf!

Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching storefront was easy to get to and great folks to talk to. They were helpful on the phone and in person. The boats were clean and well managed. Having a naturalist on staff during the Whale Watching really helped to educate us and put some context to what were seeing. Excellent Job Data Wharf!

– Mrs. Rodgers, Google
Friendly staff, great sites!

Friendly and knowledgeable staff and large comfortable boat out on beautiful water. We saw loads of dolphins, sea lions and a humpback whale! Very good value and good period of time.

– Lydia C., Tripadvisor
Morning 1/2 day fishing

We have fished all over the country and internationally. Dana wharf has top notch service, clean boats with fantastic crews. The crew was very friendly, helpful and supportive. They ensured everyone had a great time and caught fish.

– Richard H., Tripadvisor
Sight of a lifetime!

Great staff and Captain. We saw the really big Dolphins and cruised with a 80 to 85' Blue whale. What a beautiful animal. He broke several times for us. What a sight!

– Bryan P., Tripadvisor
So Many Dolphins!

This trip was awesome as we we traveling right next to a whole pod of dolphins for almost half the time of the trip. There were probably 200 dolphins surrounding our boat and right next to the boat. We got really lucky to see so many and had them give us a great show full of tricks on the water. The captain also provided some really cool information about them while we were watching them play next to us. Great trip!

– Amy O., Tripadvisor

The First & Oldest Whale Watching Company in Orange County

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.

a man smiling for the camera

In Memory of Captain Don Hansen