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Get Personal with Dolphins and Whales on Captain Dave's Safaris!
While
visiting Southern California, a memorable experience awaits your
family. Climb aboard Captain Dave's hi-tech sailing catamaran and take
part in a Whale or Dolphin Safari along the Orange County coast.
At the helm is Captain David Anderson, who is Coast Guard licensed and
a qualified marine naturalist. Captain Dave's goal is to give his
guests an unforgettable experience that is enhanced by sharing his
wealth of information about local marine and mammal life. Excursions
usually last a generous two and a half hours.
However, if it's time to head back to the dock, and dolphins or whales
have just been sighted, Captain Dave is known for staying out longer so
guests can thoroughly enjoy the trip.
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| A
mother Blue Whale and her calf enjoy the waters off Dana Point on their
summer migration from Costa Rica to Southern California. |
The
sailing catamaran is Coast Guard certified for 26 passengers, but
Captain Dave and his crew recommend that a trip has no more than 20 so
everyone has ample room to stretch out and enjoy the adventure. If the
wind is right, the sails are hoisted and passengers can enjoy the quiet
thrill of sailing, too. The vessel, designed especially for dolphin and
whale excursions, is completely outfitted with the latest in
communications systems, global positioning satellite (GPS) equipment,
digital video camera, hydrophone, underwater speakers, and a protected
cockpit area, making the outing a complete sensory experience.
The coast just off Dana Point in southern Orange County is home to a
number of dolphin and whale species. Offshore, Bottlenose dolphin have
been sighted in pods up to 100, the Pacific white-sided dolphin in pods
up to 50, the Risso dolphin in similar pod sizes and the Pacific Common
dolphin in mega-pods numbering as many as 5,000! From December through
April, approximately 500 to 700 California Gray Whales migrate past
Dana Point. In the summer months, giant Blue Whales, the largest
animals to ever roam the planet, are frequently spotted. From time to
time, Humpback Whales, Minke Whales, Orcas, Sperm Whales, Fin Whales
& Dahls Porpoise might also be seen.
Scale models of Cetaceans as well as actual whale baleen, authentic
whale teeth, actual 18th century harpoon, Fin whale ear bone and a
variety of other items can be found in Captain Dave's on-board
micro-museum, adding an exciting and educational dimension to the
dolphin and whale safari experience.
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| Captain
Dave's sailing catamaran offers passengers the latest in listening and
viewing technology, and provides close looks at dolphins and whales. |
A trip aboard Captain Dave's hi-tech sailing catamaran includes many unique features, including:
o A specially designed underwater video camera that offers one of the
most exciting experiences available on the water. View dolphin
underwater from the cockpit's color monitor as they swim, feed and play
beneath the boat.
o A research-quality hydrophone enables passengers to hear underwater
sounds of the mammals, such as clicking, whistling and other
echo-location sounds.
o A special transducer system approved by the National Marine Fisheries
Services (NMFS) lets Captain Dave play low-frequency sounds underwater,
such as piano music or the voice of a child sitting in the
cockpit.
o Just forward of the cockpit area, the vessel has a special 'Tram Net'
designed to let guests suspend themselves just inches from the water,
where they can almost touch the dolphins as they play directly below on
the wake of the catamaran's dual bows.
o Homemade triple-fudge brownies sent along by Mrs. Captain Dave!
A special collection from around the world of whale and dolphin
items; Gray Whale baleen, Sperm Whale teeth, shark teeth, vertebrae,
scale models of the various cetaceans we see, and other artifacts used
during our 'Dolphin & Whale talk' on the ride back home add an
exciting dimension to the trips.
CAPTAIN DAVE'S DOLPHIN SAFARI - Year Round
It's time to get up-close and personal with the playful dolphins that
live right off the Orange County coast in pods up to 5,000 strong! Four
different species of dolphin call this area home and will come to the
bow of the boat when it gets near them. A very personal experience with
wild dolphins awaits you aboard Captain Dave's sailing catamaran.
CAPTAIN DAVE'S BLUE WHALE SAFARI - May through November
The largest concentration of endangered Blue Whales in the Northern
hemisphere is right off the coast of Southern California every year
between May and early November. Measuring up to 100 feet in length and
weighing as much as 200 tons, these rare and beautiful animals are the
largest mammals to have ever lived on earth. Often seen in pairs or
with calves by their side, these creatures are curious and will
sometimes approach the boat, giving you a close encounter never to be
forgotten.
CAPTAIN DAVE'S GRAY WHALE SAFARI - December through April
One of the most awesome displays of nature takes place along
California's coastline between December and April. It's the longest
marine mammal migration in the world by the California Gray Whales.
They travel from the Chuckchi Sea in Alaska to the warm lagoons of Baja
where they mate and have their young. Dana Point is believed to be a
migration marker for these animals, so you'll see these magnificent
animals and newborn calves within just a mile of the harbor.
Open charters are $40 for adults and $35 for children. Private charters
are available for $875. For further information call
949.488.2828. Click here for discount tickets.
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