Whale watching season never really ends on the california coast, according to many tour guides and boat operators. During peak season, december through march, 40 to 50 whales pass by dana point every day, making dana point harbor one of the best places to whale watch in southern california. During this peak season, 40 50 whales pass by dana point each day, using the dana point headlands 200foot cliffs near the harbor as a landmark to check their migration path. We are the premier yearround whale watching facility in southern california. The ocean is a magical and mysterious place, and dana wharf sportfishing and whale watching give families the opportunity to experience the marvels of nature first hand first up fishing trips. Dana wharf whale watching and more dana point festival. Mar 25, 2016 whale watching at dana point when i thought of whale watching tours and holidays, california would never have been somewhere id have considered going. Whale watching at dana point, california wander with laura. Just click the redeem offer button, print the coupon, make a reservation, and bring the coupon with you to daveys locker whale watching when checking in for your trip. Dana wharf whale watch 34675 golden lantern, dana point, california 92629 rated 4. Whale and dolphin watching from dana point orange county. Gray whales are migrating along californias coast right now.
But when we planned to spend our final full day in the usa relaxing at dana point beach, whale watching was instantly recommended as a mustdo activity while we were there. With some of the worlds largest mammals migrating past coastal points, feeding near the coast and swimming in inlets, youll find plenty of ocean creatures to see. The harbor offers easy access, free parking and the small towns locals tout to those who come to enjoy a boat ride during the whale watching season and throughout the year. For all of those fishing lovers in the family who thought ocean fishing was something just for professionals think again. Dana point is the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world. Dana point harbor is a key migration point for a variety of whales and other sea life. Rescuers in southern california looking for tangled whale. Whale watching excursions, sailing, parasailing, stand up paddle boarding, diving, fishing and more. We get wild life migrating down to mexico and up to northing california, oregon and canada. He says this is the 2nd largest mammal ever to have lived, after the blue whale, and is the fastest whale of them all. From november to april is whale migration time for the gray whales, while may through november the blue whales are passing through. Dana point is teeming with festivities every winter during this special time of year, offering something for everyone.
Boaters were asked sunday to be on the lookout for a gray whale tangled in an unknown material heading north along southern californias coast. Best time for whale watching in california condor express. Of course, this means they pass right through dana point, making for incredible whale watching. Download some of our favorite birding apps, and then start looking up. From magical yearround whale watching to stunning coastlines, dana point whale watching tours offer a worldclass experience for all ages. Captain daves dolphin and whale safari, dana wharf whale. Cruise the pacific ocean off dana point on a whale watching excursion aboard a comfortable 95 vessel. Nearly half of the migrating gray whale population follows the coast of southern california, many come close to shore at dana point. The best time for whale watching in california usa today. Aug 08, 2017 baby gray whale coaxed back to sea laguna niguel dana point, ca the possibly ill, young whale, that looks really skinny, was swimming directly underneath a paddle boarder. A scenic harbor in southern california known as the whale capital of the west, dana point makes an ideal spot for spotting majestic marine animals. It was a unique experience to see the natural migration of whales from the arctic going south. The wonders of whale watching in california visit california.
With nearly thirteen species of whales and dolphins seen along our southern california coastline, dana point whale watching season is some of the best in the. Right now is blue whale season which goes till about december and our sightings have been really great. From migrating gray whales in the winter to blue whales in the spring and summer, dana point harbor is a reference landmark for the whales. Dana point is the best spot for whale watching in the oc. Apr 26, 2012 whale watching on a sunny day at dana point, california. If you want to whale watch, do it from dana point with dana wharf, the industry pioneers. How to go whale watching in orange county orange county. Enjoy live narration from your experienced captain as you watch for whales, sea lions, and dolphins, and learn about the stunning diversity of marine life that flocks to the california coast.
Soon we were on board, and we set off bang on time at 5pm. Known as the whale watching capital of the west, tours are offered 365 days a. Dana point festival of whales march 2021 dates not updated event promoter has not updated for this year, last years event was march 7 15, 2020 orange countydana point harbor. Finbacks are long lived with an average life span of 8590 years old. Whale watching in dana point book now at captain daves. When is the best time to go whale watching in dana point.
According to wyland, dana wharfs tours are californias best for whale watching and when you see the whales, dolphins and sea lions frolicking in the surf. Dana point harbor is known as the whale capital of the world. Discover why dana point, in southern california, is the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world. Whale watching in dana point orange county whale watching. Dana wharf is the premier yearround whale watching facility in southern california. Beginning in 1971 we are the pioneer of whale watching adventures in orange count. Seeing a blue whale while whale watching in dana point is a rare treat. Whale watching has, in fact, become a traditional winter activity in dana point and california. The coast line off dana point is located on a steep underwater shelf that extends over a 1,000 feet deep just a couple miles off shore. Whale watching is the most popular in the winter months when gray whales are heading down the coast to baja california. Blue whale season runs may october and gray whale migration runs november april.
Whale watching on a sunny day at dana point, california. Finback whales are the fastest baleen whale, nicknamed the greyhound of the sea, capable of top speeds of 23 mph. We are pleased to provide the areas only dolphin and whale watching cruise that allows your family to. The warm waters right out of dana point harbor are flourishing with sea life including whales, dolphins, harbor seals, and california sea lions. There is no more spectacular place to watch whales in california than dana point. In california, whale watching is a popular thing for tourists to do, and its no wonder why. The coast line off dana point is located on a steep underwater shelf that extends over a. This humpback whale was freed from fishing lines laguna nigueldana point, ca researchers, rescue crews and others gathered to help free. These massive, itinerant mammals travel from feeding grounds in the bering sea to mating and breeding lagoons along baja california in mexico. We opted for a whale and dolphin watching trip on a calm and sunny halloween day. Whale watching at dana point when i thought of whale watching tours and holidays, california would never have been somewhere id have considered going. That could be because of dana point s twomilewide, eastwest facing coastline.
Dana point offers the best whale watching along the california coast dont miss it. Whale watching at dana point and coastal orange county. Finback whale another amazing spectacle for dana point whale watchers, finbacks are the second largest animal in the world after the blue whale. South of laguna in dana point, youll find the heart of whale watching in the the whale capital of the west. Tangled humpback whale freed in dana point laguna niguel. Dana wharf is the premiere yearround whale watching company in dana point. There are various companies in dana point that offer whale watching.
Check the whale migration season california calendar and schedule your cruise. Each year, about 20,000 gray whales make an epic 6,000mile journey between alaska and mexicoand then back again. On a boat designed specifically for whale watching, come facetoface with the gentle giants on. Dana point is the premier location for whale watching along the california coast and home to over 400,000 common dolphins and 4 species of whales. A baby gray whale swims with its mother off dana point. Dana point whale watching tours take off from dana point harbor, the pride of the southern california small craft harbor system. You can also see them from land, especially from any part of the coastline that juts into the sea, where they typically come closest to land. The dana point festival of whales is one of southern californias largest seafaring celebrations and reaches out to whale admirers around the world. Dana wharf 34675 golden lantern dana point, ca 92629. Book a whale and dolphin watching tour with us from dana point today. Experience the ultimate adventure at dana point harbor. Dana point whale watching tours california beaches. The largest mammal on earth, blue whales can reach over 100 feet long and weigh over 100 tons.
The warm waters right out of dana point harbor are flourishing with sea life including. Dana point is the perfect costal hot spot to catch marine life in action. And this, in part, is why i am standing at dana point harbor at 7. During peak season, december through march, 40 to 50 whales pass by dana point every day, making dana point harbor one of the best places to. It draws the whales and dolphins close to the shore. Whale watching in california pacific coast highway travel. Its one of the most amazing wildlife migrations on the planet. Explore how you can get upclose and personal with dana point s whales and dolphins. San franciscotours by sf bay whale watching take you to the. We operate all year round and see whales throughout the year plus up to 4 different species of spectacular dolphins on a regular basis.
With a number of companies offering whale watching excursions, dana point whale watching is the perfect day trip for a family outing with life long memories. Dana point whale watching pacific coast highway travel. Whale watching tours leave daily from dana point, california where the huge mammals can be viewed right off the coast. Dana point festival of whales 2021, an event in dana point. Winter celebrates the gray whale, and yearround, regularly viewed whales include blue whales, fin whales, humpback whales, and minke whales. After researching the various options, i decided to splurge on the money side and booked a trip with captain daves dolphin and whale watching safari from dana point. Due to the unique shape of dana point harbor, it is ideally located for easy and quick access to board a boat and be in open ocean in 5. Newport landing whale watching proudly supports crystal cove alliance, the nonprofit partner of crystal cove state park, which is dedicated to education, conservation, and restoration efforts within the state park and its marine conservation area. Whale watching excursions, sailing, parasailing, stand up paddle boarding, diving and fishing give thrill seekers and ocean lovers a chance to embrace the open sea. Redeem offer this offer is valid for up to 10 fares. Baby gray whale coaxed back to sea from dana point photos. Private boat rentals limited time special rates book online. Whale watching cruises operate from san diego, dana point, long beach, ventura, santa barbara, monterey, half moon bay and san francisco. Dana wharf whale watching began in 1971 and was the first whale watching company in orange county.
Dana wharf sportfishing and whale watching in dana point. Activities experience the ultimate adventure at dana point harbor. Tripadvisor whale watching excursion in dana point. Aug 03, 2017 this humpback whale was freed from fishing lines laguna niguel dana point, ca researchers, rescue crews and others gathered to help free this juvenile humpback whale from its plight off the.
Due to the unique shape of dana point harbor, it is ideally located for easy and quick access to board a boat and be in the open ocean in 5 minutes. Baby gray whale coaxed back to sea laguna nigueldana point, ca the possibly ill, young whale, that looks really skinny, was swimming directly underneath a paddle boarder. For all of those fishing lovers in the family who thought ocean fishing was something just for professionals. Enjoy stunning views and photo opportunities while traveling along orange countys beautiful coastline. If you want to find whale watching cruises in orange county california, youll find them leaving from dana point harbor. California is one of the best places in the world for whale watching. Juvenile gray whale is heading north after a day thrilling. Families will love all of the endless options there are such as the socal woodie display, harbor music series, and an art show along the harbor walkway and mariners village. Catch an exciting peek with whalewatching cruise in dana point. In the 1950s and 60s, the rightbreaking waves that tended to form here could produce 12. That could be because of dana points twomilewide, eastwest facing coastline. You can watch whales almost anywhere along the california coast, any time of year, and you may be wondering what makes dana point more special than other locations.
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