Dana Wharf Whale Watch

Dana Wharf Whale Watch Year round opportunity to see many whale and dolphin species right here in Dana Point, CA And just like that, whale watching was born.
(1204)

The story of Dana Wharf:
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 this majestic Whales at the time. Some years later, H

ansen moved the operation to Dana Point Harbor when it opened in 1971. This was where the West Coast Whale Watching industry originated - not only for school field trips, but the public Whale Watching excursion was born in Dana Point. Don's love for the Gray Whale inspired people from all around the world to come and see for themselves the friendly Gray Whales as they migrate past Dana Point. Dana Wharf Whale Watching, the first whale watching company in Orange County, is a year-round whale watching facility in Southern California. Interacting with thousands of whales during the Gray Whale migration in the winter and Blue whales in the summer plus year round whales such as Fin , Orca, Minke and Humpback . In addition to whales, thousands of dolphins, sea lions, sea faring birds and even sharks are found in the beautiful waters right off Dana Wharf. There is always plenty of wildlife to experience, as you will see in this video. Today Dana Wharf sits in the heart of a busy, flourishing harbor and continues to be owned and operated by the Hansen family.

Leaving the harbor with the veil of fog lifting, we headed straight out and came up on pod of about 30 Offshore Bottleno...
12/17/2025

Leaving the harbor with the veil of fog lifting, we headed straight out and came up on pod of about 30 Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin. They did not appear to be actively feeding but there were definitely interested in our vessel, swimming alongside and looking up at the passengers aboard the Dana Pride. It was like they were saying, “C’mon Capt. Brandon, speed up so we can play in the stern wake!” We did and they indeed gave us a show leaping high above the boat wake leaping high into the air. The Osprey continues to sit at the front of the harbor, but we did not notice any fish in its talons all day long. At noon, we traveled 10 miles from the Dana Point Harbor or of Laguna Beach before we found a handful of Common Dolphin. This being the only thing we saw, the captain whale checked the trip. Our guests were invited to come back for free on us and give it another try. At 2:30 we headed down the coast. Several miles offshore of San Mateo Point we once again found a small pod of Common Dolphin. Returning to the harbor we passed through several more scattered pods of Common Dolphin. Just like the Bottlenose this morning, the Common began jumping in our stern wake. Yes, dolphin enjoy surfing! Today’s totals: Scattered pods of Common Dolphin, one energetic pod of Bottlenose Dolphin and the often-present Osprey.

Report & 📸 Nona the Naturalist
Drone 📸 Gavriel Berghouse
📸 Ernie Leal

Dana Point Times

12/17/2025

High-flying bottlenose dolphins have been stealing the show! 🐬✨ Leaping, surfing the wake, racing the bow, and putting on an unforgettable performance out on the blue. Days like this are why we love being on the water! 🌊

video by

Dana Point Times

Our morning trip was quiet with dense fog limiting visibility, but conditions improved on our afternoon trip as the fog ...
12/15/2025

Our morning trip was quiet with dense fog limiting visibility, but conditions improved on our afternoon trip as the fog began to lift and sunlight began to peek through scattered clouds. Just three miles from Dana Point Harbor, we encountered a pod of at least 50 Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins crossing the headlands and heading northwest. Once they spotted Ocean Adventures, these dolphin came right over to investigate, bow-riding and cruising alongside our vessel.

As Captain Steve circled back behind the herd and picked up the pace, the dolphins put on a spectacular show, breaching repeatedly in the stern wake. Several launched into the air at once on both sides of the boat, sending our passengers into cheers as these powerful dolphins soared above the surface.

Continuing farther offshore, we soon found a pod of approximately 200 Long-beaked Common Dolphins also heading out to sea. They too came over to check us out, offering a nice comparison between species highlighting the impressive size of the Bottlenose Dolphins, which can exceed 10 feet and 1,000 pounds, and the smaller Common Dolphins, typically 6–7 feet and up to 450 pounds.

Back near the harbor mouth, California Sea Lions were resting on the red navigational buoy, while an Osprey kept watch from its favorite jetty marker, standing sentinel.

On the end if the jetty, a fisherman caught and released a Garibaldi. The Garibaldi is the official marine state fish of California as of 1955, and has since been protected in California coastal waters.

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez

Dana Point Times

After whale checking our first trip, we found a small Humpback and a big pod of Bottlenose at noon. The Humpback and Bo...
12/14/2025

After whale checking our first trip, we found a small Humpback and a big pod of Bottlenose at noon. The Humpback and Bottlenose were about 4 miles offshore and off of San Clemente. The Bottlenose were eager to play in our stern wake leaping high out of the water. Did you know it’s a sign of intelligence to expend energy for fun? Our ever present Osprey was seen as we went out at 10 and then seen at noon feasting on a Spotted Bay Bass it had caught. Today we even had a pelican join us in the harbor and stayed on the boat well outside the harbor. A great day for animal interactions. We hope you’ll join us this evening or tomorrow night for our 50th annual Holiday Boat Parade here at Dana Point Harbor. What a way to expend energy for fun! Today’s totals: One Humpback Whale and one pod of 30+ Bottlenose Dolphin, plus a 10a charter on the Ocean Adventures found a nice pod of Common Dolphin!

Report & 📸 Nona the Naturalist

Dana Point Times

We departed Dana Point Harbor this morning under beautiful partly cloudy skies with glassy flat seas stretching to the h...
12/13/2025

We departed Dana Point Harbor this morning under beautiful partly cloudy skies with glassy flat seas stretching to the horizon. About six miles offshore, a northbound nursery pod of Long-beaked Common Dolphin was located. The pod numbering about 300 delighted our passengers with high leaps and close passes, engaging with Ocean Adventures and offering incredible views in the clear water including cow/calf pairs. The dolphin moved toward the coast as we continued offshore in search of additional marine life.

After retrieving two Mylar balloons, we encountered several smaller, scattered pods of Common Dolphin. The Osprey was still perched on the jetty marker, earlier asleep, now awake and keeping watch.

At noon, Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin at least 50 strong were found milling more than six miles offshore off San Mateo Point. As we picked up speed and they became more active. After a few minutes, a sudden and thrilling stampede erupted. While Common Dolphin stampedes are seen fairly often, none of our crew could recall ever witnessing a Bottlenose Dolphin stampede. These larger more powerful dolphins can exceed 10 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds and are frequently thought to trigger Common Dolphin stampedes when they are in close proximity.

As the Bottlenose slowed, we scanned the area to see what may have startled them. Turning toward the coast, Captain Jaime spotted the footprint of a baleen whale just south of our position, followed moments later by the towering blow of a Fin Whale off the port stern. Although the whale dove after three blows and was not seen again, we were thrilled to catch a glimpse of the second-largest animal on Earth, even if only briefly.

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez

Note: Ocean trash picked up today, December 12, 2025 ~ Two Mylar balloons. Balloons Blow Stand Up To Trash

Dana Point Times

12/13/2025

Offshore Bottlenose Dolphin Stampede!

🎥 Laura Lopez

Dana Point Times

Beautiful conditions all day with clear skies and glassy waters off of Dana Point Harbor. We did not have to travel far...
12/12/2025

Beautiful conditions all day with clear skies and glassy waters off of Dana Point Harbor. We did not have to travel far out to sea to find multiple pods of Common Dolphin all day long. We traveled down the coast to lower San Clemente and as far up the coast as South Laguna, seldom never more than 4 miles off shore. On the 2:30 trip we even found a pod of about 20 Bottlenose dolphin. The water was so clear we actually could see them catching fish. They clearly enjoyed leaping high in our stern wake as we cheered their acrobatics. All day there were resting sea lions basking on the navigational buoys in this unseasonably warm weather. On our 12:30 trip, the Osprey was present at the mouth of the harbor. On the 2:30 trip there were several Coastal Bottlenose near the harbor’s entrance. A delightful day of the dolphins off of Dana Point. Today’s totals: multiple pods of Common Dolphin, one pod of Bottlenose dolphin, and several Coastal Bottlenose dolphin.

Report & 📸 Nona the Naturalist
Drone 📸 Gavriel Berghouse
📸 Ernie Leal

Dana Point Times

Address

34675 Golden Lantern
Dana Point, CA
92629

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 10pm
Tuesday 6am - 10pm
Wednesday 6am - 10pm
Thursday 6am - 10pm
Friday 5am - 10pm
Saturday 9am - 10pm
Sunday 9am - 10pm

Telephone

+18005909994

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Dana Wharf Whale Watch posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Dana Wharf Whale Watch:

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Our Story

on our trips : Visitors can take a voyage with Orange County’s original whale watching company. Riders on one of Dana Wharf's 17 vessels often see whales, dolphins and sea lions while embracing the majestic coastline of DanaPoint, all these excursions are narrated by expert naturalists . In addition, Dana Wharf is endorsed by renowned wildlife Artist Wyland.