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.
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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.

Six miles off San Mateo Point, we encountered our first cetaceans of the day, a pod of 200 Long-beaked Common Dolphin ac...
12/23/2025

Six miles off San Mateo Point, we encountered our first cetaceans of the day, a pod of 200 Long-beaked Common Dolphin actively feeding and trending south. Several smaller groups raced over to greet us, delighting passengers as they were bow riding and racing ahead just beneath their feet.

We then turned back north and discovered an even larger group moving in the opposite direction. As we approached, a full-on stampede erupted, and soon we were surrounded as the dolphins raced north up the coastline.

After these two incredible Common Dolphin encounters on our first trip, we found one of our favorite wintertime visitors just outside Dana Point Harbor at noon! An energetic herd of Pacific White-sided Dolphin with about 12–15 robust individuals. They darted in all directions, chasing bait and occasionally breaching in hot pursuit.

No additional cetaceans were spotted for the remainder of the day, so we “whale-checked” our final two trips, allowing guests to return on us with free tickets that never expire. While no sea lions were seen on the harbor-mouth buoys earlier, at the end of the day they were piled high on the SJR2 buoy, with others splashing in the water nearby. Brief skirmishes broke out whenever a newcomer would jump up on the others before they settled in.

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
Drone 📸 Gavriel Berghouse
📸 Ernie Leal

Dana Point Times

Just five miles from Dana Point Harbor, a pod of 200 Long-beaked Common Dolphin was actively feeding on anchovies. Fart...
12/22/2025

Just five miles from Dana Point Harbor, a pod of 200 Long-beaked Common Dolphin was actively feeding on anchovies. Farther offshore, about nine miles out, with a smaller herd of scattered dolphin, bonito were also feasting on anchovies, drawing in hundreds of seabirds primarily Black-vented Shearwaters along with Pelicans, Cormorants, and various Gulls. A few California Sea Lions even joined the frenzy.

By noon, this massive feeding ecosystem had shifted closer to shore, now just four miles out. Bonito, a pelagic fish in the mackerel family, could be seen relentlessly pursuing anchovies, churning the surface into a chaotic splash zone as bait fish erupted from the water with these predators close behind. Seabirds circled overhead while a small, scattered group of dolphin moved through the action, all getting their share. It was undeniably a very bad day to be an anchovy.

The Osprey perched on a jetty marker, enjoying a fresh midday catch, a mullet. Returning to the same area in the afternoon, the feeding activity continued with birds, bait, and bonito still going strong. While this was an impressive encounter, only a few dolphin remained, and each passenger was given a “whale check” which is a free ticket to come again to see a greater number of marine mammals. We enjoyed the golden hues of the setting sun as we returned to the harbor on this Winter Solstice marking the shortest day and longest night of the year!

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez

Dana Point Times

Gray Whale & Common Dolphin!We encountered our second Gray Whale of the season on the first trip of the day. This south...
12/21/2025

Gray Whale & Common Dolphin!

We encountered our second Gray Whale of the season on the first trip of the day. This southbound, skinny adult surfaced blowing twice, had inconsistent dive intervals of 4–8 minutes, and never fluked. Despite the overcast skies, we clearly spotted the classic heart-shaped blow that Gray Whales are known for as it passed 3 miles offshore south of the Dana Point Harbor passing San Clemente State Beach.

Later in the afternoon as the sun was now peeking out. About six miles straight offshore from Aliso Canyon, we found an extremely active feeding aggregation of at least 500 Common Dolphin, stretching from Monarch Bay to Aliso Point. The dolphin were cooperatively hunting in smaller groups, herding bait to the surface to enable them to catch individual fish before swallowing them whole. Others in this nursery pod could be seen in every direction leaping, splashing, and putting on an incredible performance. Several “pink” bellies were seen on these dolphin as they were repeatedly breaching causing them to get flushed. The Osprey was perched on the jetty marker throughout the day.

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
📸 John & Cindy ~ 12/19/25

Dana Point Times

After watching an Osprey enjoy a fresh catch atop the jetty marker, we encountered a nursery pod of about 50 Long-beaked...
12/20/2025

After watching an Osprey enjoy a fresh catch atop the jetty marker, we encountered a nursery pod of about 50 Long-beaked Common Dolphin feeding in clear, glassy water less than a mile from the Dana Point Harbor. Anchovies were visible just beneath the surface and frantically trying to escape as the dolphin were in pursuit moving them even closer to shore.

Turning offshore 4.7 miles, we found a massive pod of several hundred Short-beaked Common Dolphin jumping out of the water like popcorn in all directions, never knowing when the next one would leap, tail-walk, or chin-slap. These fun-loving cetaceans put on an energetic aerial show they are known for which delighted everyone onboard. Hundreds of Black-vented Shearwaters were resting on the surface with a few Western Gulls mixed in.

Heading south at noon, we encountered the largest aggregation of Common Dolphin of the day off San Mateo Point, five miles offshore. At least 500 individuals were spread across nearly a mile, with multiple feeding groups exploding across the surface as they hunted, while others were in a more playful mood surfing and breaching in our stern wake before racing alongside us to bow-ride. Tiny calves were visible throughout these pods, a clear sign of how well these dolphins are thriving off Dana Point, the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®.

As we headed back into the harbor, the Osprey had returned to its perch on the jetty marker, scanning the water for its next meal. Yellow-crowned Night Herons were perched on the rocks closest to the water along the inside of the jetty throughout the day. On our final trip a large California Sea Lion was hauled out on the inner jetty catching a few rays of sun before the fog rolled in.

Ocean Trash picked up today, December 19, 2025 ~ One Mylar Balloon Balloons Blow Stand Up To Trash

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
📸 Ernie Leal

12/19/2025

Less than a mile out and already surrounded by magic ✨
A nursery pod feeding and engaging with Ocean Adventures—moments like these never get old.

Video by MarineLife PacificOcean WhaleSeason NatureAtItsBest

🎥 Laura Lopez
Dana Point Times

Under clear skies the Lot’a Fun headed out in search of Cetaceans. It wasn’t long before we found a very large pod of C...
12/19/2025

Under clear skies the Lot’a Fun headed out in search of Cetaceans. It wasn’t long before we found a very large pod of Common Dolphins that spread out for over 1/2 mile. We followed these dolphins for quite some time. They were energetic, jumping high out of the water, moving up the coast, with many young calves present. Moving up the coast and then circling back toward the Dana Point Harbor we came upon two large rafts of sea lions headed out to sea. When we turned around and headed back out for the 12pm trip we were met with an ominous shroud of fog. The fog stayed with us the entire trip. The only animal sighting was a good-size Ocean Sunfish. We whale checked the second trip assuring people we often find more life with much greater visibility. Today’s totals: Common Dolphin, Sea lions, and one Mola mola.

Report & 📸 Nona the Naturalist
📸 Ernie Leal

Dana Point Times

12/19/2025

Two flukes up and it’s almost the weekend! 🐋🙌 Who’s ready to get out on the water?

Video by
DanaPoint DanaPointWhales SoCalWhales OceanVibes MarineLife
WhaleSeason OceanMagic WildlifePhotography NatureLovers FlukesUp

Dana Point Times
🎥 Laura Lopez

Need something fun to do with family and friends in town?!! We’ve got you covered…Join us for our Holiday Wine Cruises. ...
12/18/2025

Need something fun to do with family and friends in town?!! We’ve got you covered…
Join us for our Holiday Wine Cruises. Special dates for those 21 and older who want to ring in the holiday spirit with a glimpse of Dana Point Harbor lights while cruising with a glass of wine! Not to mention music too! Join us for the following dates: December 21st, 26th, and 28th.

Get your tickets now!

https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/danawharf/items/26370/calendar/2021/07/?flow=no&full-items=yes

A little fog, A little sun and A LOT of Common Dolphin! Feeding Long-beaked Common Dolphin in this morning’s flat glass...
12/18/2025

A little fog, A little sun and A LOT of Common Dolphin! Feeding Long-beaked Common Dolphin in this morning’s flat glassy water were trending north 3 miles off the Dana Point Harbor. This afternoon, various herds were found moving up the coast. These charismatic dolphin loved racing to bow ride while orhers were breaching in the stern wake entertaining our passengers in every direction we looked!

Report by Naturalist Marsha Devot
📸 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

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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.