Get Personal with Dolphin and Whales on Captain Dave's Safaris
Captain Dave's sailing catamaran offers passengers the latest in listening and viewing technology and provides close looks at dolphins and whales.
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 have 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,
research hydrophone 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.
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 Association (NMFA) 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!
o 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 the 'Dolphin & Whale
talk' on the ride back home add an exciting dimension to the trips.
Captain Dave's Dolphin Safaris depart daily at 9:00 a.m.,
11:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. in Dana Point. Open charters are
$45 for adults and $35 for children. Private charters are
available for $1,000. For further information, call
949.488.2828, 949.487.3836 or 949.510-7245 or visit www.dolphinsafari.com
WSC
Whether you're visiting Southern California in the winter, spring, summer or fall, dolphins or whales, and sometimes both at once, can be seen. Safaris are available year round aboard Captain Dave's hi-tech, United States Coast Guard certified sailing catamaran, designed to give you and your family the most intimate experience you could hope to have. This ultra-stable vessel is equipped with an underwater video camera, research hydrophone, and underwater sound system. Experienced marine naturalists, Captain Dave and Captain Bob, will teach you all about these animals, and you'll enjoy Mrs. Captain Dave's famous homemade triple fudge brownies on the way back home! Bring your camera!
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 $45 for adults and $35 for children. Private charters are available for $1,000.
For further information, call 949.488.2828, 949.487.3836 or 949.510.7245 or visit www.dolphinsafari.com
The
sailing catamaran is Coast Guard certified for 26 passengers, but Captain Dave and his crew recommend
that a trip have 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,
research hydrophone and a protected cockpit area, making the outing a complete sensory experience.
A trip aboard Captain Dave's hi-tech sailing catamaran includes many unique features, including:
Whether you're visiting Southern California in the winter, spring, summer or fall, dolphins or whales, and sometimes both at once, can be seen. Safaris are available year round aboard Captain Dave's hi-tech, United States Coast Guard certified sailing catamaran, designed to give you and your family the most intimate experience you could hope to have. This ultra-stable vessel is equipped with an underwater video camera, research hydrophone, and underwater sound system. Experienced marine naturalists, Captain Dave and Captain Bob, will teach you all about these animals, and you'll enjoy Mrs. Captain Dave's famous homemade triple fudge brownies on the way back home! Bring your camera!
