About Capt. Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari
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This was my third time out with Captain Dave’s. Twice on the big boat and once on the zodiac. It is always a magical time out on the water. This time we saw a stampeding mega pod of over 1,000 common dolphins! It was a once in a lifetime experience. We also saw some offshore bottlenose dolphins, coastal bottlenose dolphins, and of course sea lions. Our crew Matt, Hannah, and Daelyn were having just as much fun as us and made sure we were safe and having a great time!
What an unforgettable experience and the perfect way to celebrate my son’s 2nd birthday! Captain Matt and Hannah went above and beyond to make our ride comfortable and ensure we enjoyed the very best of whale watching. We were lucky enough to see two humpback whales, one fin whale, and a whole pod of dolphins. At one point, I mentioned to Hannah that I had never seen a humpback before and that it was my dream to spot one. She and Captain Matt didn’t hesitate—they went the extra mile out on the water and made sure we found one. That moment was truly special. I’ll definitely be back, and here’s a tip: don’t miss out on the brownie onboard—it’s absolutely delicious! 😋
Booked a private charter for a party of 14 on the Manute’a - we had a great time! Lots of wildlife and learned a lot about the animals and their habits - Capt Matt and Andy were informative, friendly and very professional. Would recommend! Parking: free parking right behind the check-in station. We got there 1 hour early and there was plenty of parking. Check-in: sign waivers in advance but can also do it if you arrive early. Seating with tables and umbrellas upstairs around the check-in window. Coffee, snacks, warm weather gear and souvenirs available for purchase. Check-in staff were both very friendly (thanks, Kim!) We hit the bathrooms then walked out to the boat. After introductions and safety briefing, we started out on our journey! The boat had a ton of room to walk around and ample seating for our party. Partially covered, but not too important for our trip since it was mostly overcast with intermittent rays of sunshine. We learned a lot about the animals, their behavior and what we were looking for as we cruised around. Andy was a great, informative guide. Overall, we loved the experience and would highly recommend due to condition of boat, quality of staff and the easy booking and check-in process.
We had so much fun on this 2 1/2 hour excursion that left from Dana Point. Captain Marie took us towards several hot spots for viewing a plethora of dolphins. The netting on the front of the boat appeared a bit frightening to be on, but as soon as the dolphins starting swimming underneath and alongside, many of us gathered. The boat has two viewing pods in the bottom portion on either side of the nets. It's best to lay down and look toward the other side of the boat to get the best view of what swimming underneath. First mate Janel was awesome and explained facts of sea life. She pointed out the various birds and explained some of their uniqueness, which was very interesting. She was available for any questions and made the excursion exciting throughout the whole trip. Photographer Safa was so sweet. She took photos of each party as well as the dolphins we saw that day. Photos were $15 for one, and $10 for each thereafter. Half of the cost goes towards sealife preservation, which is a total win. The photos were printed before we disembarked and are frameable. The crew are all marine biologists and care about the sealife and its habitats. When we got onto dry land, we each received the most delicious brownie. What a great personal touch! The cost was not so bad, especially for the time on the boat, expertise of the crew, and they have their own parking lot (parking can be hard to locate). You should definitely arrive early so everyone can leave on time. We had a few late comers that Captain Marie waited for, but they could've been left behind as there are no refunds (unless, you get the trip insurance), plus no one wants to be "those people". On the boat, there is plenty of space to sit or stand without on top of others. Plus, it's so beautiful out on the ocean. We went at the 3 pm timeslot and returned right when the sun went down. Bring a jacket as it gets cool. Captain Dave's has a little giftshop when you check in. T-Shirts, snacks, drinks, and souvenirs are available. Overall, this is a great trip for all ages.
We booked the Zodiac speedy boat tour, and the entire safari was such an incredible experience! The smaller group size (around 10 people) made it feel personal and enjoyable. The ride itself was thrilling: fast enough to keep motion sickness at bay, and we were even able to stand at the front of the boat for the best views. We spotted many bottlenose dolphins and a few sea lions along the way at the 9:30am tour. Despite the gloomy weather at the start, our guide Safa and Captain Matt made the trip so welcoming, fun, and full of fascinating facts about marine life. Plus, we were treated to delicious homemade brownies from the captain himself! Thank you for such a memorable and well-run adventure. Highly recommended.