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.

Common Dolphins, TWO Elephant Seals, and an Osprey!With an Osprey perched on the jetty marker as we departed the Dana Po...
11/20/2025

Common Dolphins, TWO Elephant Seals, and an Osprey!

With an Osprey perched on the jetty marker as we departed the Dana Point Harbor, we headed west. Captain Steve soon spotted an Elephant Seal, and a second a couple miles farther after we turned south. About five miles off San Mateo Point, several active feeding frenzies were ongoing with Common Dolphin and seabirds.

As the herds devoured the tightly corralled bait just beneath the surface, the entire ecosystem moved west. Energetic dolphins raced alongside us to bow-ride, while others surfed and breached in our stern wake on their way to the next feeding frenzy. More dolphin were found as we turned north back towards the harbor!

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez (11/18-11/19)

11/19/2025

☀️🐬🌊 Sunshine, sea breeze, and dolphins for days in Dana Point!
Video by 🐬

11/19/2025

We are always happy to see our “Dolfriends” leading the way! We are often asked where they are going. While we can’t be sure, these Long-beaked Common Dolphin are likely searching for their next meal. Scientists believe they spend about 60 percent of their time hunting for food!

🎥 Laura Lopez

11/18/2025

Feeding Long-beaked Common Dolphin and hundreds of sea birds including plunge-diving Pelicans!

🎥 Laura Lopez

This month Dana Wharf Unveiled our New Boat Wrap from Artist Wyland on our upscale catamaran, the Ocean Adventures featu...
11/17/2025

This month Dana Wharf Unveiled our New Boat Wrap from Artist Wyland on our upscale catamaran, the Ocean Adventures featuring Humpback Whales and Bottlenose Dolphin!

https://www.picketfencemedia.com/danapointtimes/eye-on-dp/dana-wharf-unveils-new-boat-wrap-from-artist-wyland/article_c2731c7f-d036-4884-8d07-f150dcc3638d.html

Wyland Foundation

Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching announced its latest collaboration with world-renowned marine artist Wyland, whose original artwork now adorns the hull of their Ocean Adventures catamaran.

Join us tomorrow for our whale watch at 2:30p on the Ocean Adventures!After the recent storm, several California sea lio...
11/17/2025

Join us tomorrow for our whale watch at 2:30p on the Ocean Adventures!

After the recent storm, several California sea lions hauled out on docks throughout Dana Point Harbor, their loud barking echoing as they jostled for the best haul out spots and steaked out their “territory!” Our morning trip was calm, with beautiful clouds and even a rainbow stretching over the harbor.

In the afternoon, we encountered a nursery pod of several hundred long-beaked common dolphins, widely spread out. First spotted more than six miles offshore and trending north, the herd veered toward the coast before continuing their northbound journey, creating plenty of splashing and energetic beaching along the way.

On our return, we saw both ospreys with one perched on a marked jetty and the other atop the mast of the Curlew, enjoying a fresh-caught fish.

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez

11/15/2025

Nothing but happy humpbacks out here in Dana Point — pure ocean joy! ✨🐋Yesterday was full of flukes, splashes & smiles! 🤩🐳
Video by

Before the rain moved in, we managed to squeeze in a noon whale-watching trip aboard the Dana Pride. As we cruised out ...
11/15/2025

Before the rain moved in, we managed to squeeze in a noon whale-watching trip aboard the Dana Pride. As we cruised out of Dana Point Harbor several California sea lions swam and rolled playfully in the water. Less than three miles offshore, we encountered a pod of 100 Long-beaked Common Dolphin feeding alongside Black-vented Shearwaters, Western Gulls, and Northern Fulmars.

Captain Brandon then headed farther out to sea, where we spotted a feeding Humpback Whale (Happywhale CRC-18684) just over 9 miles offshore. With very short dive times (aka split dives), taking 3–4 blows at the surface each cycle, we were able to enjoy extended, close-up views of the whale for the entire second half of our trip. Several times this adult whale surfaced alongside our starboard giving us more great looks!

Report & 📸 Laura Lopez
📸 Ernie Leal

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.