About Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching Dana Point
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Such a wonderful experience. I appreciated the helpful educational insights from Laura, the whale naturalist. The crew were friendly, efficient, and professional. We saw a humpback whale, four gray whales, and a pod of 200 common dolphins on the last trip out. I highly recommend Dana Wharf for whale and dolphin watching cruises.
Great experience! The captain went above and beyond to find whales for us to see and we ended up seeing lots of dolphins and two grey whales. The parking as very convenient too (I’ve had such bad experiences trying to park in the Newport marina so this was a pleasant surprise)
Absolutely MAGNIFICENT Whale Watching Experience! My son and I had the most incredible time on our whale watching trip with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching in Dana Point! This experience was truly magical and a highlight of our time in Southern California. From the moment we set out, the views were breathtaking. The ocean water was a stunning crystal blue, and the magnetic view of the beautiful California mountains along the coast was unforgettable. The wildlife sightings were phenomenal! We were treated to a massive pod of dolphins, and it was pure joy watching them leap and jump out of the ocean right next to our boat. Seeing a majestic whale was the perfect climax to the adventure. The video I took only captures a fraction of the excitement—being there in person to witness these magnificent creatures was awe-inspiring! Beyond the incredible sights, the experience was elevated by the exceptional customer service. The entire crew was truly fantastic, and we especially appreciated having the on-board naturalist (photographer) who was so knowledgeable. They shared wonderful facts and information about the different ocean creatures we were seeing, adding so much context and educational value to the trip. This boat ride is absolutely worth the ride and worth every penny! If you're looking for an amazing, family-friendly adventure with a professional and friendly crew, you must book a trip with Dana Wharf. My son and I made memories we will cherish forever. We can't wait to go again!
My wife and I had a great time today going whale watching with Dana Wharf! Unfortunately, we didn’t see any whales on our 2 hour trip, but we came upon a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins and it was incredible! The crew were great and extremely knowledgeable and safe. They even gave us a 30% discount for a future whale watching tour because we didn’t see any whales. The check in was super easy and the ride on the Dana Pride was super smooth and fun. There is a great coffee shop and restaurant next to them so we were able to grab coffee and danish beforehand and lunch afterwards. We went on the 10am tour and it was pretty chilly. I highly recommend wearing a warm jacket and bring binoculars. They offer snacks, hot chocolate and coffee on the boat but remember to bring cash because it’s cash only for snacks on the boat. We will definitely be returning to use our discounts! Pro Tip: Go on a Tuesday when they offer half price tours! Overall a great and unforgettable experience!
It was an amazing day! January in California is gorgeous. We saw two fin whales (possibly mating), common dolphins, bottle nose dolphins, sea lion feeding, the whole show with a sun setting! Glorious day I will not forget on a spacious catamaran!!! The staff was amazing too!! Thank you!