Capt. Dave's Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari
Capt. The most unique dolphin and whale watching in the world! Our eco-friendly high-tech catamaran “Manute’a” is never crowded with a maximum of 49 passengers.
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Dave's Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari provides the world's best and most unforgettable, eco-friendly experiences that connect valued guests with dolphins and whales in life-changing ways. Daily, year round, Dana Point whale watching trips aboard high-tech, high-speed, Catamaran Sailboat can get you up close & personal with magnificent blue whales (May - Nov.), gray whales (Dec. - May),
fin whales, humpback whales, and minke whales, plus five species of wild dolphins that can number in herds up to 10,000 and more, for an educational and incredibly exciting whale watching experience. Be one of the pod and feel what it’s like to swim with dolphins and whales without getting wet in our two Eye to Eye Underwater Viewing Pods. Knowledgeable marine naturalists explain how these animals live while you see and touch our collection of whale and dolphin artifacts. And Mrs. Dave’s yummy triple fudge brownies are served as a special treat.
02/10/2025
“Mother Nature is always speaking. She speaks in a language understood within the peaceful mind of the sincere observer.” -Radhanath Swami
We hope this week allows you a moment to sit, watch, and listen in stillness and see how it brings you closer to nature. Will you find that peace of mind on our boats or somewhere else? -JO
Bring your dreams to life! Come with us to see marine mammals in the wild at dolphinsafari.com.
( 📸: Jay Spring Photography, 9.28.24)
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02/09/2025
Did you know? It’s Humpback Whale Awareness Month!
You may not think these fan favorites need the attention. Still, despite the wonderful bounce back from the brink of extinction, these whales continue to encounter a range of human-related dangers to their well-being, such as entanglement in fishing equipment, boat strikes, disturbances from human-generated noise and traffic, and risks to their habitat.
There are many ways to help, like education, eco-tourism (that’s what we do!), donating to causes that support them, or taking simple everyday actions to keep our oceans clean. How will you help humpback whales? -JO
Be part of ecotourism in action! Join our trips and learn about humpback whales and other animals at dolphinsafari.com.
( 📸: Jay Spring Photography; 10.5.24)
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02/08/2025
It feels like a dolphin day, don’t you think? We typically see four different species of dolphins, but the two most often spotted on our trips are common and bottlenose dolphin. Between the two, which do you think is the most fun? -JO
Looking for a “dolphinitely” good time? Join us at dolphinsafari.com!
It’s Flashback Friday! Here’s a magnificent moment in time from last year when we saw killer whales. We never know when orcas will pop up in our area, but we loved having the opportunity to see them in person. Orcas are social creatures and go through "fads," just like humans do, so maybe one day we’ll get lucky and see one of these orca trends too. What fad would you start as an orca? -JO
Find your next favorite adventure at dolphinsafari.com!
( 📸: Jay Spring Photography 1.4.24)
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02/06/2025
“There's nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like
going to the circus and staring at
the outside of the tent.“- Dave Barry
~MS
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(📸: Matt Stumpf 4.27.2024)
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# @danapointharbor
02/05/2025
The gray whale migration off the coast of California is a breathtaking sight to behold. Every year, these majestic creatures travel thousands of miles to their breeding grounds in the warm waters of Baja California. In just about a month, Dana Point will celebrate these gentle giants with The Festival of Whales, offering a unique opportunity for all to gather and celebrate one of nature's incredible journeys. Have you seen a gray whale this year? It’s not too late! -JO
Come aboard for a chance to see migration in action. Join us at dolphinsafari.com!
(📸: Loriannah Hespe; 1.31.25)
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02/04/2025
Last week, our large power catamaran, Hoku Nai’a, was hauled out for its annual hull inspection and a fresh coat of bottom paint. Maneuvering a vessel of this size is no small task, and we’re grateful to the experts at Dana Point Shipyard for handling it with such skill. -MS
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📸 Matt Stumpf
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02/03/2025
“Nature always wears the colors of the spirit.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
May your spirit be one of adventure! As we journey forward into February, we hope that you find the moments that fuel your soul, spark your love for exploration, and quench your thirst for knowledge. Do you have any ‘whaley’ big plans for February? -JO
Looking for a fun February? Make it one with whales! Join us at dolphinsafari.com.
( 📸: Jay Spring Photography 11.3.24)
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02/02/2025
If a dolphin sees its shadow do we get six more weeks of stampedes? Whichever way we see dolphins in the not-too-distant future, we’ll be glad for it! How do you think a dolphin would celebrate Groundhog Day? -JO
For endless fun, join us for dolphin and whale watching! Book now at dolphinsafari.com
(📸: Matt Stumpf, Caitlyn Nieblas, Jay Spring Photography & Hannah Walsh)
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02/01/2025
We are always surprised by orca sightings, and getting to see them on Thursday means this week's cetacean Saturday spotlight celebrates them. It's hard to think we'll ever tire of seeing these incredible apex animals in the wild, and knowing they swim free at home in their natural environment makes it all the more meaningful. Orcas are rare here in Dana Point, but that doesn’t mean impossible to see! How do you feel about orcas? -JO
The ocean is there to explore! Come see it with us at dolphinsafari.com.
( 📸: Matt Stumpf 1.30.2025)
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01/31/2025
Today is National Inspire Your Heart With Art Day! We’d love to see your marine mammal and sea life-inspired art. Art can be a wonderful way to connect to the ocean world, through various media like drawing, painting, sculpture, the written word, photography, or videography.
(Those last two are something we’re so especially grateful to be able to share with you.)
We'd love to read about or see your creativity in action. Show us your inspired works in the comments below!
Looking for a way to get inspired? Join us! Book your trip at dolphinsafari.com.
( 📸: Jay Spring Photography 10.21.24)
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01/30/2025
Nothing beats the experience of being mugged by a whale. No one knows when or why a whale will choose to be friendly toward a boat, but we do know that it is one of the most profound encounters a person can have. - MS
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(📸: Lauren Reid 12.8.2024)
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01/29/2025
Happy Lunar New Year! It’s the Year of the Snake.
Sea snakes aren’t something we usually see on our trips, so we’re hoping humpback whales can be an okay stand-in to wish you harmony, laughter, and endless blessings.
We may not have had many actual sea snakes, but we probably have had year of the snake passengers while whale watching without even knowing it! If you were born in 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, or 2013 you were also born in the year of the snake.
For a wonderful time in 2025, slither your way on board with family and friends to make some magical memories with marine mammals! Are you planning to join us this year? -JO
Give your year a sense of adventure! Book your tour at dolphinsafari.com.
( 📸: Jay Spring Photography 11.4.24)
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#2025
01/27/2025
“We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch – we are going back from whence we came.”
-John F. Kennedy
We hope these dolphins will help carry this little moment of motivation your way to start the week off swimmingly. What are you looking forward to this week? -JO
Winter whale watching isn’t out of reach! Book your Californian winter fun at dolphinsafari.com.
(📸: Hannah Walsh 1.17.2025)
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01/26/2025
Today we’re celebrating International Environmental Education Day!
We’re thankful for the continued impact of environmental education. Today is a day to celebrate, learn about, and help our planet Earth. Our world is interconnected and globally we can make a difference. We’re especially grateful for the many marine scientists of all kinds who help to foster inspiration, interest, and awareness in our oceans and the life within.
What are some ways to celebrate? Participate in ecotourism and thank a naturalist onboard a whale watching tour. Ask them about their favorite wildlife facts! You can also make small environment-friendly choices like not releasing balloons, using reusable containers, and picking up litter in your local outside areas. -JO
Want to be an ecotourist? Book your trip at dolphinsafari.com!
(📸: Matt Stumpf 2023)
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01/25/2025
It's Cetacean Saturday! Today's celebrated cetacean is the humpback whale. These fantastic feasting friends were simply stunning to see.
Do you know what else is stunning? 30% off trips in honor of our 30th anniversary. Are you ready to come have a whale of a time? -JO
Your next adventure awaits! Book now at dolphinsafari.com.
( 📸: Jay Spring Photography 12.7.24)
01/24/2025
Dolphins might not throw snowballs or make snow cetaceans here in Dana Point during winter, but they certainly find their own seasonal fun. What do you think? Would you rather hang with dolphins or play in the snow? -JO
Looking for some winter fun? Come aboard and book your ocean excursion at dolphinsafari.com!
(📸 Matt Stumpf 12.16.24 & 12.22.24)
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Address
24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive Dana Point, CA 92629
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Videos
“There's nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you've been missing the whole point of the ocean. Staying on the surface all the time is like
going to the circus and staring at
the outside of the tent.“- Dave Barry
~MS
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(📸: Matt Stumpf 4.27.2024)
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#finwhale #whale #relax #takeabreak ##whales #whalewatching #whalewatchingtour #splash #makeasplash #animalbehaviour #creatingmemories #funthingstodo #stayandwander #beautifuldestinations #letsgosomewhere #outdoorlife #thingstodoinoc #mydanapoint #danapointharbor #visitdanapoint #visitcalifornia #explorecalifornia #californiaadventure #captdaves @mydanapoint@danapointharbor
@DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia @festivalofwhales
Last week, our large power catamaran, Hoku Nai’a, was hauled out for its annual hull inspection and a fresh coat of bottom paint. Maneuvering a vessel of this size is no small task, and we’re grateful to the experts at Dana Point Shipyard for handling it with such skill. -MS
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📸 Matt Stumpf
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#boat #boatlife #boattrip #boating #boatride #boatcruise #boatcharter #catamaran #optoutside #creatingmemories #funthingstodo #awesomeearth #naturesbeauty #natureaddict #naturephoto #nature_brilliance #naturephotography #welivetoexplore #whalewatching #dolphinwatching #ecotourism #oceanlife #connectwithnature @mydanapoint @danapointharbor
@DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia #socal #danapoint #visitcalifornia #californiaadventure #californiadreaming
Nothing beats the experience of being mugged by a whale. No one knows when or why a whale will choose to be friendly toward a boat, but we do know that it is one of the most profound encounters a person can have. - MS
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(📸: Lauren Reid 12.8.2024)
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#humpbackwhale #whale #whalewatching #wildlife #sealife #marinelife #marinewildlife #oceananimals #wildlifephotography #wildlifepage #optoutside #creatingmemories #funthingstodo #awesomeearth
#artofvisuals #naturesbeauty #roamtheplanet #exploreourearth #beautifuldestinations
#californiaadventure @mydanapoint @danapoint_harbor
@DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia #socal #danapoint #captdaves
Whales can be so grand and majestic, but sometimes they are just silly! - MS
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(📸: Lauren Reid 11.30.2024)
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#humpbackwhale #whale #whalewatching #wildlife #sealife #marinelife #marinewildlife #oceananimals #wildlifephotography #wildlifepage #optoutside #creatingmemories #funthingstodo #awesomeearth
#artofvisuals #naturesbeauty #roamtheplanet #exploreourearth #beautifuldestinations
#californiaadventure @mydanapoint @danapoint_harbor
@DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia #socal #danapoint #captdaves
This past weekend was incredible! With dolphins everywhere, there were many trips where our boats never stopped spotting them. It was a great reminder of how vibrant and alive the ocean off the coast of Orange County is! -MS
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(📸 Matt Stumpf 1.28.2024)
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#commondolphin #dolphins #dolphin
#dolphinwatching #dolphinswimming #cutedolphins #wildandfree #dolphinlove #dolphinlovers #splash #makeasplash #discoverwildlife #wildlifefirst #cuteanimals #wildlifeonearth #seacreatures #discoverocean #lovethesea #naturephotography #naturallife #discover @mydanapoint @danapointharbor @DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia #hellofrom #socal #orangecounty #visitdanapoint #explorecalifornia #californialife
#californiacoast #captdaves
From all of us here at Dolphin Safari, we wish to offer our heartfelt condolences to those who have been affected by the recent fires across Southern California. We also offer up our thoughts and prayers to those brave firefighters who have been working tirelessly to save lives and homes.
On Friday, we were incredibly fortunate to witness a pod of Common Dolphins stampeding for over 30 minutes! We may never know exactly when or why a group of dolphins decides to exhibit this behavior, but one thing is certain: it’s always a favorite among both our crew and passengers. -MS
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(📸 Matt Stumpf 1.3.2025)
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#commondolphin #dolphins #dolphin
#dolphinwatching #dolphinswimming #cutedolphins #wildandfree #dolphinlove #dolphinlovers #splash #makeasplash #discoverwildlife #wildlifefirst #cuteanimals #wildlifeonearth #seacreatures #discoverocean #lovethesea #naturephotography #naturallife #discover @mydanapoint @danapointharbor @DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia #hellofrom #socal #orangecounty #visitdanapoint #explorecalifornia #californialife
#californiacoast #captdaves
These cold winter days remind us of the warm summer afternoons we got to spend with our Bryde’s Whale friends. These beautiful whales make their way to our coast when the water is warm, usually in the late summer. -MS
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( 📸: Matt Stumpf 9/22/2024)
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#whale #whales #whalewatching #brydeswhale #awesomeearth #naturesbeauty #natureaddict #naturephoto #wildlife #wildlifepage #sealife #marinelife #marinewildlife @mydanapoint @danapointharbor @DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia #socal #danapoint #visitcalifornia #californiaadventure #californiadreaming #captdaves
As we wind down the year, we look back on all the exciting moments we experienced. However, some of the moments that stayed with us the most were the quiet, serene, and beautiful ones we shared with those we love. -MS
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(📸 Matt Stumpf 6.15.2024)
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#commondolphin #dolphins #dolphin
#dolphinwatching #dolphinswimming #cutedolphins #wildandfree #dolphinlove #dolphinlovers #splash #makeasplash #discoverwildlife #wildlifefirst #cuteanimals #wildlifeonearth #seacreatures #discoverocean #lovethesea #naturephotography #naturallife #discover @mydanapoint @danapointharbor @DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia #hellofrom #socal #orangecounty #visitdanapoint #explorecalifornia #californialife
#californiacoast #captdaves
What a day! Passengers aboard our RHIB AllSwell got to cross seeing ORCAS off of their bucket list! This pod, identified as members of the CA51 pod, moved up the coast throughout the day and we got lucky enough to see them for many breath cycles. It is likely that they have moved out of our area, but today’s sighting shows you can never guess what you will see on the water!
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📸 Hannah Rich 12.27.24
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#whalewatching #whalewatchingtour #dolphins #orca #orcaencounter #orcapod #orcalove #killerwhale #blackfish #natureshots #naturecaptures #aerialphotography #droneofficial #intense #drama #omg #predator #wow #apexpredator #danapoint #ExperiencetheConnection #captdaves #wildlifephotography #wildlife #ocean @visitdanapoint @danapointharbor @DanaPointChamber @visitcalifornia
Over 20 years ago Capt. Dave was living on his boat in Dana Point Harbor and taking small groups of people out to see the huge herds of wild dolphins and amazing whales off the Southern California coast. When he told other boaters about what he saw they were amazed. Capt. Dave realized if the people who live on their boats don't know what lives off their coast, then who does?
Capt. Dave eventually traded in his small sailboat for a 35-foot catamaran sailboat with a capacity to carry 24 passengers. It was aboard this vessel, “DolphinSafari.com”, during regular trips, that Capt. Dave filmed his documentary, Wild Dolphins & Whales of Southern California. It ended up winning eight awards at two of the world’s biggest wildlife film festivals: the International Wildlife Film Festival and Wildscreen in England, the ‘Academy Awards’ of wildlife films. “DolphinSafari.com” was the first vessel in Southern California to offer YEAR ROUND dolphin watching trips.
In 2007 Capt. Dave added a second catamaran sailboat to his fleet. “Manute’a” was 50 feet long and carried up to 49 passengers. Like his first catamaran, “Manute’a” also had Eye-Spy Tram Nets for up close and personal viewing of the whales and dolphins. A couple of years later Capt. Dave upgraded “Manute’a” with one of his most innovative ideas: an Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pod. The Pods (he added second Pod two years later) gave passengers the opportunity to feel what it’s like to swim with wild dolphins without having to jump in the water!
In 2007 Capt. Dave added a second catamaran sailboat to his fleet. “Manute’a” was 50 feet long and carried up to 49 passengers. Like his first catamaran, “Manute’a” also had Eye-Spy Tram Nets for up close and personal viewing of the whales and dolphins. A couple of years later Capt. Dave upgraded “Manute’a” with one of his most innovative ideas: an Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pod. The Pods (he added the second Pod two years later) gave passengers the opportunity to feel what it’s like to swim with wild dolphins without having to jump in the water!
“Lily”, a 65-foot power catamaran, was welcomed into the expanding fleet in October 2013. In addition to luxury accommodations such as a bow with cushioned bow seating and rails enclosed with Lexan® glass for wind protection, “Lily” is also equipped to respond to a whale in distress. She can host and feed an entire rescue team and stay with the whale for days until it is successfully disentangled.
During the summer of 2009, Capt. Dave launched another special feature on “Manute’a”: WhaleWatchingTV. Long before Facebook, Instagram, and other social media apps were doing live video, Capt. Dave had the idea to broadcast his trips live on the internet. He outfitted the boat with seven cameras and microphones on the crew so everyone around the world could see whales and dolphins live on their computers.king events that help feed starving children and families. Proceeds from the sales of Capt. Dave’s award-winning book and DVD go to support this cause.
From special trips and custom boat features to drone photography and more, Capt. Dave continues to seek new and ground breaking ways to introduce passengers to the incredible wildlife off the coast of Dana Point, California. And yes, we continue to serve Mrs. Capt. Dave’s famously delicious Triple Fudge Brownies! We are committed to providing the most unique whale watching tour in the world!
In addition to our daily, year-round, dolphin and whale watching safaris, we are proud to be giving back to the environment and to the community. Capt. Dave founded and organized Orange County's first whale rescue group. He persists in his efforts to rescue entangled whales and find new methods for reducing the number of entanglements. We are also honored to partner with Kids Around the World for annual meal packing events that help feed starving children and families. Proceeds from the sales of Capt. Dave’s award winning book and DVD go to support this cause.
To reserve for our safaris, give us a call at 949-488-2828 or visit www.dolphinsafari.com
