Ocean Institute
Under $25Non-profit ocean education center on the Dana Point Harbor waterfront with exhibits, touch tanks, and tall ship and research vessel trips.
Dolphin and whale watching cruises from Dana Point Harbor, including catamaran trips with underwater viewing pods.
24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive · Dana Point, CA
Capt. Dave's runs dolphin and whale watching trips from Dana Point Harbor Drive. The 2.5-hour Signature Safari sails on a catamaran for up to 49 passengers with underwater glass viewing pods and an onboard micro-museum, and a 2-hour Zodiac trip for ages 6 and up rides low to the water. Blue whales are typically seen May through October and gray whales November through May, along with several dolphin species. Public tours were listed from $86.92 online on 2026-10-18.
The closest stops to Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.
Non-profit ocean education center on the Dana Point Harbor waterfront with exhibits, touch tanks, and tall ship and research vessel trips.
0.2 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
Whale watching, dolphin cruises and sportfishing charters departing daily from Dana Point Harbor.
Transit: reachable by public transit
0.7 mi awayMore like this
A popular Orange County surf beach with a visitor center, tide pool, campground, and paved beachside trail.
1.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Sports & Outdoors
Historic 18th-century Spanish mission and museum known for its ruined Great Stone Church and swallow legend.
Transit: reachable by public transit
3.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums
A 600-passenger catamaran ferry making the roughly 90-minute crossing between Newport Beach and Catalina Island.
15 mi awayMore like this
Year-round whale and dolphin watching cruises departing from Newport Beach harbor.
15 mi awayMore like this