Dana Wharf Whale Watching
Dana Point, CA
~$50 adult / $35 kid
By Simir Shah
Updated September 13, 2026
★★★★★4.8(8,122 Google reviews)
From our editor — we've been
We took my sister's family out on this and it's one of the best mornings on the water you can have in Dana Point. You get out into open water, dolphins show up almost every time, and every once in a while you catch a whale. It's a genuinely great way to get out on the coast and see how beautiful it is from the water — then grab a bite at the harbor afterward.
💡 Local tip: Dana Wharf backs it up too — if the captain doesn't call a good whale or dolphin showing, they'll give you a free return trip that never expires.
What parents say
AI summary of 4 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
Reviewers report friendly crews, naturalists who explain what you are seeing, and a storybook handed to children. Sightings vary by trip, from whales to large dolphin pods. One family says crew found a bench for a child who stays in a stroller. On fishing trips the boat is tight and first-timers get little briefing.
Dana Wharf has run whale-watching trips out of Dana Point Harbor since 1971, making it Orange County's original operator in a town trademarked the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World. Dolphins show up on nearly every trip year-round, while gray whales pass through November through May and blue whales arrive May through October.
Good for
- Ages 0–2
- Shade
- Restrooms
- Food on-site
Happening near here
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34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629, USA
Hours via Google — confirm before a special trip.
Map
What visitors say
- Carol Powell★★★★★
We are from Omaha Nebraska and have been to San Diego 3 times. All 3 times we have went whale watching with Dana Warf! Each time out was very different one time we saw 3 different whales and a few dolphin! The second time we saw a great view of a huge whale and some dolphin, this last time, we caught a quick glimpse of a two different minke whales (or i guess it could have been the same one LOL), and bunch of pelican diving in to catch fish, but the best part of the trip, we saw hundreds of dolphin!! Chasing the boat, racing next to us, mommas and babies jumping together! Such a unique experience! Just when we thought they had gone away and moved on, they would surround us again! This probably went on for at least 30 minutes! Absolutely incredible! My grandson even said, " it feels like they are trained to chase us!" The crew is very friendly and we had a handicapped child who is in a stroller that we use as a wheelchair, and they even brought us a bench so we could sit and hold him so he wasn't confined to his stroller the whole time! I would highly recommend Dana warf as I know i will always use their services! Thanks for the wonderful memories guys!!
2 months ago
- Chris Neel★★★★★
Our family had a fantastic experience on the Dana Wharf Whale Watching tour. This truly felt like a five-star adventure guided by professionals who brought smiles to our faces and excitement to our hearts. The trip perfectly balanced the thrill of searching for whales with the joy of actually finding them. Everyone in our group—especially our six-year-old grandson—was absolutely captivated watching these incredible mammals of the sea. Seeing them rise gracefully from the water, lifting their snouts and blowing their spouts above the surface, was unforgettable. On two occasions we were even lucky enough to see their flukes (tails) lift high above the water, which was a breathtaking moment we were thrilled to capture on video. The crew did an outstanding job making the trip fun and educational. Each child even received a special storybook about their adventure, which was such a thoughtful touch and made the experience even more memorable for our grandson. This tour is perfect for families, nature lovers, and anyone who wants to experience the beauty of the ocean up close. We highly recommend it—you won’t be disappointed. And if you go, be sure to say hello to Laura, one of the naturalists on board. She shared wonderful insights about the marine mammals and made the experience even more meaningful.
6 months ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
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