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.

Happy New Year’s Eve! 🎉🍾🎉Several California sea lions were hauled out on the inner jetty early this morning, and no Ospr...
01/01/2026

Happy New Year’s Eve! 🎉🍾🎉

Several California sea lions were hauled out on the inner jetty early this morning, and no Osprey was spotted on the jetty marker throughout the day. Heading south from Dana Point Harbor, we passed through multiple pods of Long-beaked Common Dolphin before catching up with a pair of adult Gray Whales traveling south, now just beyond the San Clemente Pier. The whales were traveling very close to shore in extremely shallow water, making short 5–6 minute dives and surfacing for 2–3 blows each time. Neither whale showed its flukes. The larger of the whales surfaced right off our bow and with big swoosh of its fluke creating a giant splash before it turned back towards the coast returning to the second whale as they continued their southbound journey. On our return north, we encountered additional pods of Common Dolphin. At noon, a pod of 12 or more Coastal Bottlenose Dolphin was feeding near Turtle Rock. This pod included at least one calf, and several dolphins delighted our passengers bow-riding the Ocean Adventures. We wrapped up the day and the year with a New Year’s Eve Champagne Toast and a birthday celebration! 🥂🎉

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez

Dana Point Times

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from all of us at Dana Wharf Whale Watching! 🐋🎉

What a year it has been, Dana Point. From unforgettable whale encounters to incredible ocean moments, we are so grateful for our amazing community, guests, and crew. Thank you for sharing the magic of the sea with us — we can’t wait to see what the new year brings! 💙🌅

Passengers enjoyed encounters with a large pod of Bottlenose Dolphin on all trips on all three of our boats today. Bot...
12/31/2025

Passengers enjoyed encounters with a large pod of Bottlenose Dolphin on all trips on all three of our boats today. Bottlenose are not usually seen in such large numbers. There were well over 50 dolphins. Sometimes feeding, sometimes milling, and always ready to surf our stern wake as we sped up through the pod, the Bottlenose were about 4-5 miles offshore usually trending north from just below the harbor to above Dana Point Harbor by the end of the day. Morning trips also found pods of Common Dolphin. As to be expected they were more than a mile away from the Bottlenose but in about the same depth of water. These two species of dolphin do not interact with each other. While fishing, Captain Chase radioed the whale watching boats that he had seen a southbound Gray whale near San Mateo Point. The Lot’a Fun tried to relocate this whale with no luck. On our final trip of the day, Captain Brandon saw the tall spout of a lone whale a few more miles offshore. We said goodbye to the Bottlenose and headed out to find the whale. We were able to locate an elusive Fin whale that would only surface one or two times before it would submerge for about 2-3 minutes. On one series, it came up just off the bow of the Dana Pride. As the sun was lowering on the horizon, the Dana Pride headed in while the Lot’a Fun had a few more minutes to stay on the Fin Whale. Today’s totals: One Gray Whale, One Fin Whale, One large pod of Bottlenose Dolphin seen multiple times, and two pods of Common Dolphin. Sea lions were seen feeding with the dolphin and resting inside the harbor. At the end of the day, the Osprey was back. Smiles all around from watching the antics of the dolphin to finding the Fin Whale!

Report & 📸 Nona the Naturalist

Dana Point Times

After a beautiful sunrise on a calm morning, our first cetacean of the day was a Gray Whale passing Dana Point Harbor le...
12/30/2025

After a beautiful sunrise on a calm morning, our first cetacean of the day was a Gray Whale passing Dana Point Harbor less than a mile offshore. This southbound Gray Whale performed several lunges, possibly attempting to feed on the plentiful anchovies in our local waters. With a five-minute dive time, three to four blows per surfacing, and consistent fluking, it stayed close to shore in less than 100 feet of water as it continued on a steady course south past the San Clemente Pier.

North of Ritz Point, a small pod of Pacific white-sided Dolphin was trending south, darting in short bursts in different directions as they hunted. Farther up the coast off Aliso Canyon, approximately 200 Long-beaked Common Dolphin were also feeding about two miles offshore moving west.

By noon, larger pods of Pacific White-sided Dolphin now numbering 30 to 40 continued to hunt from Aliso Canyon to Laguna Main Beach. By the end of the day, Pacific White-sided Dolphin were spread from the harbor to south San Clemente. These dolphin were the most energetic of the day, breaching and leaping as they raced between the Ocean Adventures and Lot’ A Fun! The Osprey enjoyed a successful midday catch, perched on the inner jetty marker. Numerous California sea lions floated in small groups, or rafts, with flippers in the air as they thermoregulated inside the harbor, while others were hauled out on the navigational buoys at the harbor entrance.

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
📸 Nona Brinkman-Reimer
📸 Ernie Leal

Dana Point Times

12/29/2025

That HEART shaped blow is back! ❣️🐋❣️Our first cetacean of the day was a Gray Whale less than a mile from the Dana Point Harbor!

The southbound sub-adult whale performed several lunges as it was possibly attempting to feed on anchovies. With a 5 minute dive time, 3-4 blows, the Gray Whale consistently fluked!



Video by

🎥 Laura Lopez
Dana Point Times

12/29/2025

Eight hours. Endless ocean. Incredible wildlife. 🐳✨🌊This weekend’s 8 Hour Ultimate Whale Watch was packed with amazing sightings and pure ocean magic from start to finish. You just never know what each adventure holds.

Video by

🎥Laura Lopez
Dana Point Times

Today’s 8-hour Ultimate Whale Watch headed west early this morning. After completing the crossing to Santa Catalina Isl...
12/29/2025

Today’s 8-hour Ultimate Whale Watch headed west early this morning. After completing the crossing to Santa Catalina Island, about five miles south of the island, we encountered a young elephant seal resting at the surface before slowly sinking out of sight. After stopping at the sea lion rookery on the southeast end of Catalina, just north of Avalon, we spotted a pod of several hundred Long-beaked Common Dolphin traveling along the island’s inner shoreline. Breaching, surfing our wake, and bow-riding, these playful cetaceans gave everyone onboard up close views.

Even more Common Dolphin rushed in as we passed the island’s north end and turned toward Palos Verdes. A few miles from the coast, a long procession of northbound Long-beaked Common Dolphin was followed by a pair of Fin Whales and a juvenile Humpback Whale about 25-30 feet in length. These hungry cetaceans were feeding on the exceptionally abundant anchovies off the Southern California coast.

Thanks to Harbor Breeze for helping with the location of this massive marine ecosystem including THREE ballen whales. The Fin Whales mostly traveled in line, one trailing the other, with the larger of the pair bearing numerous fresh cookie cutter shark bites. The juvenile Humpback Whale surfaced to blow three to four times before fluking and sounding for four to five minutes. With the sun now behind us, we could see the brilliant blue glow of the baleen whales as they passed alongside and surfaced off the starboard side of the New San Mateo. More scattered pods of dolphin joined us on our return to the Dana Point Harbor!

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
Drone 📸 Gavriel Berghouse

📸 Snow Capped Mountains Nona Brinkman-Reimer

Our regular whale watch trips today enjoyed the antics of Common Dolphin some 4-6 miles off of Dana Point Harbor. There were many small calves among the dolphin. With Catalina Island on the horizon and the snow-capped Gabriel Mountains beyond the coast; it was a beautiful day on the water. The Osprey was present at the mouth of the harbor eating a fish and several sea lions were resting on the buoys. A fine day of the water per Nona the Naturalist.

Dana Point Times

Captains Chase & Murphy had the New San Mateo ready for our early morning departure and we headed north up the coast. A...
12/28/2025

Captains Chase & Murphy had the New San Mateo ready for our early morning departure and we headed north up the coast. A few very scattered Long-beaked Common Dolphin breached as they raced over for a brief bow ride. About four miles offshore of Long Beach south of the oil rigs, at least 30 Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins were actively feeding over a large area, frequently changing directions, with more small herds of scattered Common Dolphin.

As we continued north, we received reports from the Gray Whale Census, Alisa Schulman-Janiger and her team of volunteers at Point Vicente of multiple baleen whales feeding alongside Common Dolphin. Our search over many miles was rewarded when we encountered four Humpback Whales feeding amid thousands of Long-beaked Common Dolphin, California Sea Lions, and hundreds upon hundreds of seabirds. Additional blows were visible in the distance, including a very tall blow likely belonging to a Fin Whale.

Anchovies were seen just below the surface as we traveled through this magnificent marine ecosystem stretching for many miles. Whales surfaced so close to the New San Mateo our passengers could hear the powerful bellow as they expelled air through their blowholes at speeds of up to 350 mph. Dolphin surged through the water, corralling bait while birds followed overhead and California sea lions followed closely behind.

Eventually, we turned south and headed back toward Dana Point Harbor, spotting more scattered Common Dolphin along the way and ending the day beneath a beautiful sunset.

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
Drone 📸 Gavriel Berghouse

Dana Point Times

Common Dolphin were seen 4-6 miles out from Dana Point Harbor on all of our boats today. Many very “fresh” little calve...
12/28/2025

Common Dolphin were seen 4-6 miles out from Dana Point Harbor on all of our boats today. Many very “fresh” little calves were seen in nursery pods within our larger pods of Common Dolphin spread out for miles. The Ocean Adventures also came across an Ocean Sunfish on their 11am trip. Deckhand Caden on the Dana Pride, removed a mylar balloon from the water. Every little bit means a great deal to the health of our waters and the habitat of many species. Our eight hour trip today will further report on the FOUR Humpback Whales, Bottlenose Dolphin, and Common Dolphin they saw more than 20 miles off our coast. So much life to see today both near and far from our harbor. Today’s totals; Multiple pods of Common Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin, a Mola mola, sea lions and a juvenile black crown night heron on and around the Dana Pride inside the harbor, and four Humpback Whales on the eight hour excursion.

Report & 📸 Nona the Naturalist

Note: Ocean Trash picked up today, December 27, 2025 ~ One Mylar balloon

Balloons Blow Stand Up To Trash

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.