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April Whale Watching Update

a whale jumping out of the water

April has been an incredible month for whale and dolphin activity off the coast of Dana Point! As we move deeper into spring, we’re seeing an exciting mix of migrating gray whales, visiting humpbacks, fast-moving fin whales, playful dolphins, and even a few rare surprises.

a whale swimming under water

Here’s a look at what we’ve encountered so far this month on Dana Wharf Whale Watching tours:

Whales Steal the Show

  • Gray Whale Sightings:
    April has continued to bring strong sightings of gray whales, especially cow-calf pairs on their northbound migration back toward Alaska. Guests have enjoyed watching these graceful travelers on multiple trips, with sightings on April 20, 15, 14, 13, and 12.

  • Fin Whales in Numbers:
    April has also been a fantastic month for fin whales, the sleek and speedy “greyhounds of the sea.” Multiple fin whales were spotted on April 19, 17, 13, 8, and 5. Some days brought sightings of two or more fin whales traveling together, thrilling everyone aboard.

  • Humpback Whale Action:
    One of the real highlights this April has been the impressive number of humpback whales. On April 4 alone, we encountered 12 humpbacks—an unforgettable day on the water! We also spotted humpbacks again on April 6 and 17. Their surface activity, including tail slaps and breaches, is always a crowd favorite.

  • Special Guests:
    In addition to the regular whale sightings, guests were treated to a Mola mola (ocean sunfish) sighting on April 6 and even a Minke whale on April 4.

a dolphin swimming in a body of water

Dolphins Daily

April has brought consistent dolphin activity every single week:

  • Common Dolphins: Seen almost daily, these energetic dolphins often surround the boat in huge pods, leaping and surfing our wake.

  • Bottlenose Dolphins: Spotted frequently in smaller, charismatic groups, often close to shore or riding the bow waves.

Seeing dolphins on a tour has been almost guaranteed this month, adding excitement and energy to every trip.

Why April Is So Special

April marks a seasonal transition when gray whale migration overlaps with the start of summer whale activity, meaning you can see a wide variety of marine mammals on a single trip. The calm spring seas and longer daylight hours make it a perfect time to get out on the water.

Whether you’re hoping to see a massive fin whale slicing through the water, a humpback launching into a breach, or hundreds of dolphins playing alongside the boat, April whale watching with Dana Wharf has delivered spectacular encounters.

Don’t miss out—book your Dana Wharf Whale Watching tour today and join us for an unforgettable spring adventure on the ocean!

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