Captain Dave's Whale Watching and Dolphin Safari
(This experience was hosted by Captain Dave's Whale Watching and Dolphin Safari. However, the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own. View my full disclosure here.)
Discover Year-Round Whale and Dolphin Watching Day Cruises in Southern California!
During our recent California getaway, my husband Rory and I embarked on Captain Dave's Whale Watching and Dolphin Safari. This excursion fulfilled a long-held dream of mine, and I'm thrilled to say it exceeded all expectations, delivering an unforgettable experience.
Captain Dave's operates out of Dana Point, California and you can book their Whale Watching and Dolphin Safari Cruises year-round. Depending on the time of year you are more likely to spot different types of whales in addition to Dolphins (and sometimes even orcas, sharks and sea lions).
Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safaris boasts an impressive track record, spotting dolphins or whales on over 95% of our trips throughout the year. But on the rare occasion that your safari yields no sightings, fear not! Regular fare guests are entitled to a complimentary return trip on either our Signature Safari or Zodiac Safari within one year from the original journey date. (*Commencing July 6, 2016, a free ticket will be provided for "no sightings" safaris.)
It's important to note that your "no sightings" ticket is non-transferable and must be used within one year from the date of your initial safari with no sightings. Don't miss out—be sure to redeem your free ticket before it expires!
Upon receiving our tickets via email, we were pleasantly surprised to find comprehensive instructions accompanying them. In addition to the address, there were detailed driving directions provided. Furthermore, we were advised to arrive at least 30 to 45 minutes in advance to ensure ample time for parking in the nearby public lots. While parking is free, it operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
But the helpfulness didn't stop there. The instructions also included valuable tips for optimizing our experience. One such tip emphasized the importance of dressing in layers, as temperatures on the water can be 10-15 degrees cooler despite the sun's warmth. Another suggestion was to bring along tasty snacks and drinks to enjoy during the whale-watching excursion, which typically spans over 2 hours on the catamaran. Not to fret if you forget provisions—there's always the option to purchase refreshments at the Dolphin Deck, where you check in before departure.
Moreover, the advice extended to considering items like hats or visors, sunglasses, and sunblock to shield against the elements during the outing. Such thoughtful guidance truly enhanced our anticipation for the upcoming adventure.
Following the guidance provided with our tickets, we arrived early, affording us the opportunity to explore their gift shop after checking in. Afterward, we took a leisurely stroll around the harbor. As departure time approached, we were directed to the nearby bathrooms before boarding the MANUTE'A, the catamaran that would be our vessel for the day's whale and dolphin-watching cruise. While there are onboard facilities, it was recommended to utilize the shore-based facilities before departure, as accessibility might pose a challenge for some.
Once everyone was onboard, our captain and his crew delivered safety instructions before we embarked on our exciting adventure! I love the fact that they keep these cruises small. We had less then 40 people on board including a few children. This meant we all had plenty of room to move around and watch the sealife around us.
Shortly into our voyage, we encountered a majestic grey whale. Although it didn't breach the surface dramatically, we caught glimpses of its presence. We observed it exhaling air followed by fleeting sightings of its back and tail as it descended into the depths in search of food. Remaining in its vicinity for over half an hour, we enjoyed the thrill of anticipation each time it resurfaced, patiently awaiting another sighting.
Because of the storms the previous morning and day, the water was churned up and somewhat murky. In response, we quickly headed towards deeper ocean waters in search of clearer conditions and, hopefully, other marine life. Fortunately, our decision proved fruitful as we soon encountered a playful pod of dolphins.
The captain skillfully matched the catamaran's speed with that of the dolphins, allowing us to witness their playful antics up close. The crew opened the underwater viewing pods, allowing us to descend one by one and observe the dolphins as they gracefully maneuvered around the boat.
As Rory and I patiently waited our turn, we delighted in the spectacle of the dolphins swimming alongside us and leaping joyfully out of the water.
Before our turn came up for the underwater viewing pods, the dolphins dove deep in search of food and didn't resurface. We decided to venture off in search of another pod, and fortunately, we succeeded. This gave Rory and me the chance to finally experience the underwater viewing pods.
I'm incredibly grateful we did because the experience was truly remarkable!
As we prepared to return to the harbor, the marine life photographer, a member of the crew, presented each of us with a personalized photo collage. These collages featured our individual photos taken at the beginning of the cruise, surrounded by images she captured of the grey whale and dolphins we encountered on our voyage. Rory and I were so impressed with ours that we decided to purchase it to take home with us. While I had taken numerous photos and videos with my phone during the trip, these professional camera shots were truly exceptional.
As a final treat as we disembarked from the MANUTE'A back at the harbor we were each given one of Mrs. Capt. Dave’s famous fudge brownies! They were soo good and the perfect way to end our adventure.
If you're planning an upcoming trip to Southern California and seeking an exciting, one-of-a-kind adventure, I wholeheartedly recommend Captain Dave's Whale Watching and Dolphin Safari. You can conveniently book your tickets through Get Away Today, which also offers packages for other Southern California attractions such as Disneyland or Universal Studios, along with great deals on Southern California hotels. They're my top choice for Southern California vacations!
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