Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour

Dana Wharf Whale & Dolphin Watching in Dana Point — Orange County’s First Since 1971

Dana Wharf Whale Watching began in 1971 as Orange County’s first whale watching company. Family-run for more than five decades, our highly rated whale and dolphin watching tour sails year-round from Dana Point, recognized as a Whale Heritage Area, with expert marine naturalists aboard every trip and sightings guaranteed, or ride again free. Come experience with us the coastline and marine life that have made Dana Point one of Southern California’s iconic whale watching destinations.

About the Whale & Dolphin Watching Adventure Tour

Experience year-round whale and dolphin watching in Dana Point with Dana Wharf, Orange County’s first whale watching company since 1971. Started by Don Hansen, Dana Wharf is still family-run, and our captains, crew and expert marine naturalists bring every trip to life as we search the waters off the Southern California coast for whales, dolphins, sea lions and other incredible marine life.

Every season brings something different. Highlights include the gray whales that migrate along our coast in winter and spring, while summer can bring sightings of magnificent blue whales. Year-round you may see fin whales, minke whales, humpback whales, dolphins and other marine life.

No two trips are ever the same, and that is part of the adventure. Whale and dolphin watching in Dana Point is available year-round, and every trip includes our marine mammal sightings guarantee: if you don’t see a whale or dolphin, you’ll receive a voucher to come back again for free. The voucher never expires.

Marine Life Calendar

Dana Point offers incredible whale and dolphin watching year-round, with different species visiting our waters throughout the seasons.

• Gray Whales (November – May) – Watch for gray whales during their annual migration along the Southern California coast. These incredible whales can reach up to 49 feet in length. Don’t miss the Festival of Whales in March.
• Blue Whales (May – November) – The largest animals on Earth, blue whales can reach nearly 100 feet in length. Seeing one off the Dana Point coast is an unforgettable experience.
• Year-Round Whales – Fin whales, humpback whales and minke whales may be spotted throughout the year.
• Dolphins – Dana Point waters are home to several species of dolphins year-round. You may encounter pods swimming, leaping and traveling alongside the boat.
• Sea Lions & Seabirds – Look for California sea lions, pelicans and a variety of other coastal and marine birds.
• Sharks & Other Marine Life – Every trip is different, with possible sightings of mako sharks, hammerhead sharks, great white sharks and other fascinating ocean wildlife.

Every trip is different, and you never know what you may discover!

Trips may be aboard our Dana Pride, the Queen of our fleet and our largest vessel; the Lot’ A Fun, our brand new state-of-the-art catamaran with incredible unobstructed 360-degree views; or our Ocean Adventure, a luxury eco-friendly catamaran with a raised EYE SPY viewing platform. We guarantee the best whale watching experience in Southern California!