Safari Details:
Capt Dave's Whale Watching and Dolphin Safari's are a 2½-hour tour. Come alone, bring a friend, or plan a party! We can accommodate groups up to 22 persons. Whale Watching and Dolphin Safari's are the most ultimate experience you can have with wild dolphins and whales!
Departure Times:
More departure times are offered during whale watching and in the summer months)
DAILY
9:00 AM, 11:30 AM & 2:00 PM
Capt. Dave is a dolphin & whale pro! He has recently finished a video documentary called 'Wild Dolphins & Whales of Southern California'; he spends more time with these animals than anyone! Their specially designed Sailing Catamaran will get you UP CLOSE! You can stay dry in the protected & comfortable cockpit area or venture out on the special 'Tram Net' for a really close encounter! You'll see what the dolphins and whales are doing below the surface with the 'Dolphin & Whale Cam'. You'll hear the unique languages of the dolphins and whales with research-quality hydrophone. And last, but not least, Mrs. Capt. Dave's famous triple fudge brownies on the ride back to the harbor!
Dolphin Safari (Year Round)
It's time to get up-close and personal with the playful Dolphins that live right off the 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. Your Dolphin Safari is aboard a new hi-tech, USCG certified, sailing catamaran designed to give you the most intimate experience you can have with wild dolphins. This ultra-stable vessel is equipped with underwater video camera, hydrophone, and underwater sound system so you can actually talk to the dolphins, too! Your guides, Capt. Bob and Capt. Dave are experienced marine naturalists and will teach you about the whales, dolphins, California sea lions and other marine life of historic Dana Point and on the way home you'll enjoy Mrs. Capt. Dave's famous homemade triple fudge brownies!
GRAY WHALE SAFARI (December through April)
One of the most awesome displays of nature takes place along California's coastline between December and April - the longest marine mammal migration in the world by the California Gray Whales 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. We've arranged for a Whale Safari aboard a hi-tech, USCG certified sailing catamaran designed to give you the most intimate experience you could hope to have. This ultra-stable vessel is equipped with underwater video camera, hydrophone, and underwater sound system. Experienced marine naturalists will teach you all about these animals and you'll enjoy Mrs. Capt. Dave's famous homemade triple fudge brownies on the way back home! Bring your camera!
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. These rare and beautiful animals are the largest mammals to have ever lived on planet Earth, measuring up to 100 feet in length and weighing as much as 200 tons. Often seen in pairs or with calves by their side, these animals are curious and will sometimes approach the boat, giving you a close encounter you will never forget. We've arranged for a Whale Safari aboard a hi-tech, USCG certified sailing catamaran designed to give you the most intimate experience you could hope to have. This ultra-stable vessel is equipped with underwater video camera, hydrophone, and underwater sound system. Experienced marine naturalists will teach you all about these animals and you'll enjoy Mrs. Capt. Dave's famous homemade triple fudge brownies on the way back home! Bring your camera!
LOCATION:
Dana Point Harbor
34675 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA USA 92629
(949)488-2828
Fax (949)369-7276
Map
courtesy of Dana Wharf Sportfishing
 From
the Los Angeles area, take the Interstate
5 Freeway South and exit at PCH North.
Proceed on PCH North and turn left at the second
traffic light which is Dana Point Harbor Drive.
Proceed down Dana Point Harbor Drive. About
1/4 mile later, turn left on Golden Lantern.
Follow Golden Lantern all the way - where it ends
in a parking lot. (It's free!) From there,
look for the signs that say Dana Wharf
Sportfishing, Catalina Express and Charter Boats.
Come on in to the ticket area for Dana Wharf
Sportfishing and tell them that you're there for Captain
Dave's Dolphin Safari and they'll take good
care of you.
From the San Diego Area, take the
Interstate 5 Freeway North and exit at Beach
Cities North. Proceed on PCH North and turn left
at the second traffic light which is Dana Point
Harbor Drive. Proceed down Dana Point
Harbor Drive. About 1/4 mile later, turn
left on Golden Lantern. Follow Golden
Lantern all the way - where it ends in a parking
lot. (It's free!) From there, look for the
signs that say Dana Wharf Sportfishing,
Catalina Express and Charter Boats.
Come on in to the ticket area for Dana Wharf
Sportfishing and tell them that you're there for Captain
Dave's Dolphin Safari and they'll take good
care of you.
From
Newport, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach,
etc., traveling south on Pacific Coast Highway,
turn right on Golden Lantern. Follow Golden
Lantern all the way - where it ends in a parking
lot. (The parking is free!) From there, look
for the signs that say Dana Wharf
Sportfishing, Catalina Express and Charter Boats.
Come on in to the ticket area for Dana Wharf
Sportfishing and tell them that you're there for Captain
Dave's Dolphin Safari and they'll take good
care of you.
What
To Bring:
Think
of your trip as if you were coming sailing with a
small group of friends. What would you like to
have along? Water? Sodas? Crackers &
Cheese? Wine? Feel free to bring it aboard. We do
recommend plastics cups. If you bring alcoholic
beverages, we ask that you use them responsibly
and be respectful of others.
Other
items you might like to have with you:
Cameras. Extra film. Binoculars. Sunscreen.
A jacket or windbreaker. You get the idea!
What
to Wear:
It's generally about 10 to 15 degrees colder out
on the water, so a good idea is to layer your
clothes. A shirt, sweatshirt and jacket make
a winning combination. Whenever
possible, wear tennis or deck shoes, preferably
with non-marking (non-black) soles. If it looks
like it may rain, it's always a good idea to have
a raincoat or jacket on hand.
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