--- title: Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour slug: whale-and-dolphin-watching-tour-dana-point type: attraction sub_type: whale watching source_url: https://www.tripster.com/detail/whale-and-dolphin-watching-tour-dana-point city: Dana Point state: CA country: US address: 34675 Golden Lantern geo: lat: 33.46001 lng: -117.69214 duration: up to 2 hrs cancellation_policy: Free cancellation up to 3 days before the experience. extracted_at: 2026-06-16T21:57:21.080Z price_from: amount: 30.5 currency: USD unit: per_adult availability: InStock rating: value: 4.5 count: 4320 scale: 5 ticket_options: - group: Other Options options: - name: Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure Tour price: 30.5 regular_price: 32.5 savings: 2 ticket_types: - name: Person (3+ yrs) min_age: 3 - name: Adult (13-54 yrs) min_age: 13 max_age: 54 - name: Senior (55+ yrs) min_age: 55 - name: Child (3-12 yrs) min_age: 3 max_age: 12 - name: Infant (0-2 yrs) min_age: 0 max_age: 2 --- ## Overview Experience a wide variety of majestic underwater wildlife and beautiful scenic views on this Dana Point dolphin and whale-watching tour. Dana Wharf offers an exciting 2-hour tour featuring up-close views of gray whales, blue whales, playful bottlenose dolphins, sea lions, nautical birds, and possibly a shark. ## What's Included - 2-hour sightseeing boat tour narrated by expert marine naturalist captains - Viewing opportunities of whales, dolphins, sea lions, and other marine wildlife - Free return voucher with no expiration date if no whales or dolphins are seen ## What's Not Included - Food and beverages (available to purchase on board) - Ice chests or alcoholic beverages brought onboard (alcoholic beverages available for purchase) ## Ticket Options - **Whale and Dolphin Watching Adventure Tour** — $30.50 (regularly $32.50, save $2.00) Embark on a 2-hour Dana Wharf whale-watching and dolphin-watching tour. Explore Dana Point, CA, on a state-of-the-art boat–equipped with an onboard restroom. Snacks and drinks are available for purchase on board. - Person (3+ yrs) - Adult (13-54 yrs) - Senior (55+ yrs) - Child (3-12 yrs) - Infant (0-2 yrs) ## Good to Know * Approximately 2 hours sightseeing boat tour for all ages. * Please arrive 30 minutes prior to boat departure to check in and find parking. * Free-to-use public parking space available for less than 4 hours. * Whale and dolphin watching season is year-round. * Bring a light jacket and camera for pictures and videos! * You are welcome to bring a “brown bag” lunch. * Food and beverages are available on board to purchase. * Tour runs in light rain or shine. Offers whale check when weather conditions are not good for the touring on water. * Dana Point Harbor has public parking but there is a four-hour limit. Violation of this limit results in a $45 parking ticket. If staying for four hours or longer, park in the designated parking space for Dana Wharf employees and fishermen and secure a permit at the front counter. * There are life jackets on board, but it is not required for any passenger to wear one during the cruise. * Restrooms are available on board. * Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before the cruise departs. * The tour will run in light rain but may be cancelled if it becomes extremely windy for safety reasons. * There is no age limit for passengers; all guests require a ticket due to boat capacity limits. * The tour is wheelchair accessible—please notify special needs when booking. * Only ADA-defined service animals are allowed. * Cameras are allowed and encouraged for photo opportunities. ## Cancellation Policy Free Changes & Cancellations — See details upon selection. ## FAQs ### How long is the tour? The tour takes approximately 2 hours. ### Where is it located? Dana Wharf is located 30 minutes south of Disneyland in Anaheim, one hour south of LAX airport in Los Angeles, an hour south of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and 30 minutes north of Oceanside, and an hour north of San Diego. It's basically in the heart of Orange County. ### Is parking provided? If so, what is the fee? Dana Point Harbor has public parking but there is a four-hour limit. Violation of this limit results in a $45 parking ticket. If you're planning to stay for four hours or longer, you should park in the designated parking space for Dana Wharf employees and fishermen. Secure a permit at the front counter when you check in and display it on your dashboard with the correct date stamped on it. ### Are there life jackets on board? There are life jackets on board, but it is not required for any passenger to wear one during the cruise. ### Are there restrooms on board? Yes, there is a clean marine head on board. ### How early should I arrive for my tour? Please arrive no later than 30 minutes before the cruis departs. ### Does the tour still run if it rains? The tour will run in light rain, but if it becomes extremely windy, the tour might have to cancel the trip for safety reasons. If the trip has already left the dock and conditions become unsafe, they will issue a “whale check” that will allow you to come back another time for another cruise! ### When is whale watching season? It’s always whale-watching season at Dana Wharf! Gray whale season starts the day after Thanksgiving every year and typically runs until the end of April. January to March are the peak times for gray whales, and they coincide with our annual Festival of Whales. Blue whale season runs from May until November. Whatever the season, you will typically see pods of dolphins, sea lions, squadrons of pelicans, and other seafaring birds. ### Is the tour appropriate for children? Yes! There is no age limit for our whale-watching cruises. Everyone is welcome, and the boats are very safe with high rails. All guests require a ticket because the boats can only hold up to a certain amount of people and cannot exceed that number even for toddlers or infants. ### Is the tour wheelchair accessible? If you or anyone in your party will come whale watching in a wheelchair, please leave a comment in the "Have Special Needs?" section above when booking your reservations. ### Can I bring my pet? Only ADA-defined service animals are allowed. ### Can I bring my camera? Yes! There are lots of great photo opportunities to capture with your camera or smartphone. ### Can I bring my own food/beverages? You are welcome to bring a “brown bag” lunch. However, you may not bring ice chests or alcoholic beverages onboard. Alcoholic beverages are available for purchase onboard. The boats offer a variety of grilled sandwiches such as cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, BLT, and burritos. They also have soda, water, and beer. ## Reviews > "The captain and crew were very knowledgeable and maintained a great pace for spotting whales and dolphins. We saw several pods of dolphins as well as a gray whale and its calf. The views of the coastline were stunning and the boat was comfortable for our family. A truly memorable experience!" > — melissag401, March 19, 2026 > "We had an incredible day whale watching with Dana Wharf. The naturalist guide was informative and engaging, and the staff made sure everyone was safe and enjoying themselves. We spotted blue whales, sea lions, and lots of birds. Highly recommend this tour!" > — ClevelandBill, March 05, 2026 > "Amazing experience from start to finish. The boat ride was smooth, the staff friendly, and the wildlife sightings were fantastic. I brought my camera and got some great shots of dolphins playing near the boat. Would definitely do this again." > — Journey59017769244, January 17, 2026 > "Exceptional service from the team on the boat. They went out of their way to ensure everyone had a good time despite the slightly choppy seas. Got to see whales breaching and numerous dolphins swimming alongside the boat. A highlight of our California trip." > — dksd42019, March 23, 2026 > "A great way to spend a couple of hours on the water. Very relaxing and educational. The boat has restrooms and is easy to get around. Highly recommend for families and nature lovers." > — I8284CMsusans, April 04, 2026