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.

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. 

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.