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High Speed Zodiac Whale Watching Safari from Dana Point | 2 hours

276 Reviews | Dana Point
From $89.00 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (6-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Non Refundable All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Zodiac Safari
2 Adults x $89.00
$178.00
Approx Total
$178.00
2-hour Zodiac Adventure Safari

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English
  • U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified vessel
  • Cetacean Declaration - Join us again for free within one calendar year if you don't see any dolphins or whales
  • Live commentary on board
  • Licensed Captain and professional crew member
  • Food and drinks (available to purchase at check-in)
  • Gratuities

Overview

A fast and fun wildlife adventure awaits your family aboard our zodiac-style vessels (rigid inflatable boats). This cruise of up to 20 passengers gives you a thrilling 2-hour look at Southern California’s year-round whales and dolphins. With speeds of 30 knots or more, you’ll spend less time looking for animals and more time enjoying them! Your zodiac adventure will have you incredibly close to the ocean’s surface and within arm’s reach of wildlife. At the conclusion of your cruise, you'll receive one of Mrs. Capt. Dave's famously delicious Triple Fudge Brownies. (Some folks love the brownies more than the whales!) We are a certified Responsible Whale Watching partner with the World Cetacean Alliance located in Dana Point, CA, the Dolphin and Whale Capital of the World®, and the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas.

Meeting points

Please arrive 45 minutes in advance. Check-in upstairs at our waterfront Dolphin Deck building. Located next to Baby Beach and OC Sailing & Events Center in Dana Point Harbor (Dana Point, Orange County, California)

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Your exhilarating adventure departs from Dana Point, the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas, and the Dolphin & Whale Watching Capital of the World®. May through October you could see the largest animals on earth, magnificent Blue Whales. December through April you could witness the incredible Gray Whale migration. And throughout the year you’ll have the opportunity to see Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales, sometimes Orcas (Killer Whales), and so much more. Several species of wild dolphins, some in pods numbering up to 10,000, are seen year-round. Upon arrival you’ll find free parking and a warm smile from our “Dolphin Deck” team. If you or one of your guests is celebrating a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, be sure to let us know when reserving so that we can arrange for a special greeting. Check in about 30 to 45 minutes in advance. Then relax under a blue umbrella and enjoy a sandwich, snacks, ice cream, cold beverage, or hot coffee with the best view of Dana Point Harbor, until you’re escorted to the boat. Nearby restrooms are available to use prior to boarding.

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Minimum age is 6 years
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • You may encounter occasional ocean spray
  • No over-sized bags or coolers please.

Non Refundable

This experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.9

276 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    263
  • 4 stars
    10
  • 3 stars
    1
  • 2 stars
    2
  • 1 star
    0

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 263 reviews with 5 stars

Well worth the money!

Published on Jan, 2025

Great experience! No whales on our trip but it was a beautiful day and our captain was lovely, and we got to follow a large pod of dolphins for about 20mins and stand on the bow to watch them. The ride was surprising smooth for such a fast and low boat, no sprays of water in the boat but chilly in January so bring those layers!

Another great whale watching trip

Published on Dec, 2024

Took our third whale watching trip with Capt Dave's. And as usual it was fantastic. Only saw Common Dolphins but still great fun and informative. Captains Maria and Caitlin were great.

Excellent, exciting fast ship, great captain.

Published on Dec, 2024

What I most desired was to be out on the ocean again in a small fast boat and this was excellent! The weather was perfect - sunny, few swells, no wind - captain Marie was knowledgeable and in great control of the boat, and sincerely interested in the customers on board. Sadly there were few whales, but that is just the luck of the draw. There were enough seabirds for me to fill in the gaps. Yes, I would go on a cruise with them again.

BEST DAY EVER

Published on Dec, 2024

This was our second time booking with Capt. Dave’s at 2pm on 11/29 and we had a fantastic afternoon with these beautiful creatures, thanks to the super kind Captains Chuck and Janel. Highly recommended and we will return soon!

Best whale watch ever!

Published on Dec, 2024

My wife and I were discussing " how in the world do they have so many awesome reviews?" We thought their might be some fibbing but were pleasantly surprised to find out its because they are awesome! They did everything in their power to give us a great experience and it was! We were celebrating my birthday and in the trip we saw several lunge feeding humpback whales, hundreds of dolphins(3 different species), and several other nice touches. The experience and pictures were awesome. We were having such great luck they even stayed late to let us strike while the iron was hot. Some whale watches will leave right in the middle of a great experience, so I really appreciated this. Highly recommend!!

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