We went out on the Zodiac tour. It was amazing. From start to finish we felt welcome, all our questions were answered. Captain Cass was awesome and the brownies were to die for. Can't wait to do this again. We didn't see any whales but as an avid whale watcher, some days it's epic and others...nada. But the dolphins were incredible. Thank you!!! read more

We love Capt Dave's cruises. Today was our 4th or 5th. We were expecting raining so originally planned to book a cruise on one of the larger ships out of San Diego, but my daughter loves Capt Dave's. We did receive a nice courtesy message the day before, offering the option to rebook for a day with better weather, but glad we went ahead with our original plans. The smaller boat means we 're closer to the pods of dolphins we saw. And we were so close to the grey whale that we could see the barnacles on it as it breached. The crew is great. First mate was also an EMT, which was very comforting. Learned lots of new things about the sea creatures. You can tell that they enjoy their jobs. Weather held up and it only started raining as we were headed back. Even with the heavy rainfall we stayed dry under the awning, and the rain added to the experience. Despite the rougher waves my daughter actually nodded off for the half hour ride back to the dock. We've done lots of whale watching cruises but Capt Dave's is our favorite. Also highly recommend the zodiac option - we've done that a couple of times and it's a very fun experience too. read more

Had so much fun today on the whale watching trip out of Dana Point with Capt. Dave's. Our crew was Captain Maria, first mate, Michael and photographer, Hannah. All of them worked to make sure everybody on board was comfortable and having a great time. Also, we learned a lot about the ocean life from their vast stores of knowledge. The underwater viewing pods are very cool. You see the dolphins swimming right beside you. Definitely an experience I will want to repeat again. read more

Capt Dave's - Common Dolphin - Boat Charters Near Me - Dana Point, California

We bought our tickets 3 weeks ago for a new years sun set cruise. Today it's raining!!! They will NOT refund our 2 tickets read more

I have cuzzin's here from New Mexico who really wanted to see the whales and dolphins. So I got us tix with Capt. Dave's. We traveled out to sea for awhile and I was really getting discouraged 'cause there was no action, when all of a sudden the oceans God's arrived and we were sitting amongst 1000s of dolphin. They were flying in the air, spinning, breaching abreast 4 at a time. Almost like they knew they were there to entertain our boat. It lasted for long time too. Then as we started to return to the harbor, we spotted the biggest sunfish ever. About 1000 lbs, who just laid right next to the boat the entire time. Never left us. We got back to the harbor a little late because we were all so entertained. The crew was so kind and accommodating and we even got a brownie as we all disembarked. I live very nearby, and I have to admit that hearing all the tourist getting excited with their "oohs, ahh, sqeeels and laughter" was heartwarming for me. The way the world should be. I only remember Capt. Matt's name but wish I remember the rest of the deck members. Truly a Blessed afternoon. Will return soon. read more

Service : 2025 Holiday Cruise (1.5-2 Hours ~ Loop around the Dana Point Harbor) Captain Dave and his crew were very understanding of our short time delay and it was fairly easy to contact the company to find out more details about the boat and other information not stated in the confirmation booking email. The boat is very clean equipped with an outdoor patio deck, roof deck, mini kitchen and a 1 bed + 1 bath (Boat Ocra). Trash was easy to dispose and vouchers were given for the guest parking. The event was so nice and such a great experience to do the with family and friends! I would recommend Captain Dave for any excursion in South OC! Will definitely be checking out the other excursions. read more

Had the most amazing experience with Captain Dave's! Our crew, Captain Marie, first/photographer Hannah, and second Michael were SO informative and helpful the entire trip! We saw a huge pod of dolphins and we got to hang out in their area for about 45 minutes and got so many great photos. Hannah also provides a portrait photo of you and your family with photos of the dolphins around the border! Highly recommend Captain Dave's, they're legendary! read more

Capt Dave's - Boat Charters Near Me - Dana Point, California

The staff and crew really out did themselves with hospitality. Captain Marie, Andy and Hannah were experienced and knowledgeable. They made sure that we got to see as many species as possible which was amazing!! We saw two gray whales, a very large pod of dolphins and four sea lions! I can't wait to go out on the water with them again!! read more

Capt Dave's - So many dolphins came to interact with us. - Boat Charters Near Me - Dana Point, California

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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! read more

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Great time on the water and saw tons of dolphins! Super crew Capt Alex and 1st mate Sophia(?) and photographer Daelyn. Fun time .. thank you!! The brownies are to die for .. great job to Mrs Dave read more

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As always, the staff at Capt Dave's is so great. Communication is great, information about the sea animals are great and they are always super nice and helpful. We missed the last couple years but when we went back last week, everything was the same. I would highly recommend. We saw a minke whale, lots of common dolphins and bottlenose dolphins, birds, and sea lions. Was fun for the whole family. read more

A Rare, Immersive Dolphin Experience in the Pacific An epic adventure aboard a beautiful custom catamaran. The MANUTE'A stands out, and the underwater viewing pods add a rare, immersive dimension that makes the experience unforgettable. We sailed smoothly into the Pacific and joined a pod of roughly 100 dolphins--an extraordinary sight. I went with my best friend and my 2 1/2-year-old son, and the experience was engaging, calm, and well-suited for all ages on board. The crew made the day exceptional: Captain Alex navigated us effortlessly, Hannah, the photographer, was bright and skilled, capturing the experience beautifully, and Daelyn brought deep knowledge and a warm presence that invited everyone into the moment. Thoughtful, well-run, and special. Highly recommend. read more

It was the best whale watching tour we have been on. Lots of dolphins and one whale. Crew was excellent. Boat is comfortable. Dana point harbor office and registration was efficient. Brownies at the conclusion were excellent. You really don't know what will happen on these tours during the peak migration season. You have to be lucky. Our crew ran late because of their patience and we got to see a huge whale. read more

Capt. Dave's Dana Point gave our family a day we will cherish forever. From the moment we arrived, their crew treated us with incredible compassion, respect, and professionalism during such a deeply meaningful time. They made the entire process of scattering my dad's ashes at sea feel peaceful, dignified, and beautifully handled. What happened next was something we will never forget. Just after we scattered my dad's ashes, birds began flying around the boat, and then dolphins appeared and started swimming alongside us. It felt like nature itself was joining us in honoring him. The moment was overwhelming in the best possible way -- emotional, serene, and truly magical. The crew allowed us the space and time we needed while quietly ensuring everything was perfect. Their knowledge of the ocean and genuine care for the families they serve made all the difference. We couldn't have imagined a more meaningful way to say goodbye. Thank you, Capt. Dave's Dana Point, for giving us such a beautiful, unforgettable experience and helping us create a memory that will live in our hearts forever. read more

Captain Dave's is the best dolphin and whale watching company. Captain Jim and first mate Jannel? are knowledgeable and passionate about their work. That made it enjoyable and fun to spend the day on the boat for a couple of hours. I can't wait to get back on the water with them soon. read more

Great experience! Beautiful day. Saw so many beautiful dolphins...they have an underwater viewing window. A must see. Amanda the 1st mate was informative and engaging, and I'm pretty sure I'll be making a career change! Thank you Jaida for taking pictures, and thank you Captain Catlyn... everything was smooth sailing! read more

I went for the first time after living in Orange County for almost 20 years yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I took my mom who was visiting from out of town and the staff along with the live music was very enjoyable. We met some people who were all having a great time too and for the price it was definitely worth it. I plan to do another excursion soon and the only reason I didn't leave a 5 star review was they ran out of Pinot Grigio wine at the bar. Everything else was awesome! read more

Great trip. Foggy weather turned into sunny skies. So many dolphins. Just as we were about to head back we were circled (mugged) by a Fin Whale. So spectacular to see. Then at very end we came across a Gray Whale which was exciting! The crew from Capt. Matt to 1st Mate Mike and photographer/biologist Safa made the trip extra special with great energy and friendliness. Getting a famous triple chocolate brownie at the end is always a sweet treat and perfect end to a fun outing. We'll definitely be back for another tour with Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari! read more

THE BEST dolphin and whale watching experience!! Beautiful views and amazing staff! Daelyn, Safa and Alex were so welcoming and friendly, my boyfriend and I felt so comfortable on the boat because of their awesome service. All of them were very educated on ocean life and Daelyn even took wonderful pictures of everyone that we were able to take home! Highly highly recommend this company! We'll definitely be back read more

Professional staff that care about the client's experience even when things don't go as planned as with no animal sightings during this weekend's trip. This still made the trip worthwhile and comp's us a free trip For next time. read more

The Catalina Island Cruise and Whale Watching adventure was such a wonderful day excursion! We saw scores of animals including 2 different humpbacks, a Minke whale, bottlenose, common and Risso's dolphins, sunfish, seals, loads of sea birds and a giant tuna that jumped right in front of the boat. From start to finish we were treated with marine life, and while that was our primary focus, we had an awesome time hiking around Two Habors and a very cozy, food-filled time on the boat. The catered meals were perfect & the boat crew was spectacular. So knowledgeable, eco-focused and professional. We've done several shorter cruises with Captain Dave's and were more than impressed with our first day trip! read more

Capt Dave's - Humpback feeding - Boat Charters Near Me - Dana Point, California

We booked the Hoku Nai'a Private Boat for a company event outing & it was amazing! Truly had a great experience. The catering (veggie / fruit / charcuterie platters) was good & had good options. The bar package was perfect & everyone had something to their preference. All staff were amazing! Michele (galley), Gary (Capt), Safa (2nd mate) & Michael (naturalist) They made the experience very fun with their amazing service & smiles. Would definitely remcommend! read more

Great experience on the Dolphin Safari - Captain Matt and Dailina (sp??) were amazing. My husband and I did a private charter and it was incredible. They helped with my husbands mobility issues and made the experience memorable. read more

Capt Dave's - Sea lions sunbathing - Boat Charters Near Me - Dana Point, California

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You Must try this is great experience with fantastic staff. I saw a thousand of dolphins swim around the boat. Definitely worth a visit.

It was our first time going, we book the Zodiac tour to get closer to the water to see the mammals. We got there early and was able to park right within the lot and bought tickets online ahead of time. The day that we went good the water wasn't so rough, so the boat ride wasn't bad. My kids went and loved it. They gave us information prior to getting on the boat for safety precautions. It was a perfect sunny day, highly recommend you dress warmer especially if you don't like wind. On the mini boat it is super windy until the boat slows down. I love how as we were coming back the team had to stop because they saw gold balloon in the middle of the ocean. And they kindly stop to pick it out if the ocean. Shows how much they also care about the marine environment. That was nice how our tour guide Captain Marie, Stacey and Jacob gave us info our the mammals while boating out. We saw plenty of dolphins swimming and a few hopping. We did get lucky and saw a fin whale and waiting for another 8 mins or so because it took a dive. So we stayed and followed the whale for another round. Was about to get 2 videos. On the way back saw seals.. 2 was being playful which I also got on camera. We enjoyed it! read more

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We had a fantastic adventure. No whales but lots of dolphins and a few sea lions. The dolphins were so fun to watch. Capt Marie and her shipmate Caitlyn were wonderful. Caitlyn is a marine biologist, a diver and wears many other hats too. We totally recommend this tour! read more

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We did a 2 1/2 hr private charter on ORCA with Captain Gary. Gary was GREAT and provided lots of info on the animals. The ship was clean and comfy. The highlight was sitting on the bow watching dolphins swim right next to us! We also saw gray whales and sea lions. I definitely recommend this excursion and we will be back for sure! read more

Pretty rad experience, everyone on the trip got half off for the next ride. So maybe I'll bring a buddy instead of my mom next trip and actually have the balls to talk to the cute blonde that was first mate on today's boat ride lmao. read more

This review is solely based on my excursion. Staff and crew were very nice. Vessel: Hoku Naia was nice. Two levels for viewing. Plenty of room. Spotted and followed a few grey whales. Nothing out of the ordinary. No dolphins no orcas. Weather and sea condition were nice. read more

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Far and away the best whale watching cruise there is. And their customer service is just great. I have been on many trips with them and they have all been great. I recommend them for a wonderful whale watching cruise. read more

My husband and I had an amazing trip yesterday and we saw many blue whales, including one who was fluking! The boat was so clean and comfortable. I'm incredibly impressed with the customer service of this company. When my guest and I woke up sick the original day of our excursion, these guys went out of their way to accommodate us and reschedule to another day. Staff on boat was also kind and super knowledgeable. I highly recommend Captain Dave's! read more

I've always had a great experience with Captain Dave's, over several trips over several years. I've come to love the Zodiac safaris. Faster boat so less time traveling out and back and more time watching, and sitting close to the water gives the whole experience more intensity and intimacy with the ocean. Highly recommended. read more

Captain Alex, Daelyn, and Hannah were on the boat I went on today and they made my first ever whale watching experience amazing. Daelyn made a great whale DJ, playing songs that lured in nearby whales, we ended up seeing three gray whales, which was fantastic. She was very knowledgeable on marine biology as well, which made for a fascinating trip. We also spotted a pod of about 800 dolphins which was also really cool. Hannah was super sweet and nice and took pictures of everybody on board. I really love how the donations on the boat go towards providing freshwater to communities in Uganda that don't have access to it. All in all an amazing experience. They also give you brownies when you exit. So good. read more

Outer Captain, Chuck, was very informative. The two ladies, Hannah and Jada, were great. One of them kept asking for each person how they were doing. We saw a lot of dolphins. Sadly we did not see any whales. Wild life likes to be wild !!! I had a great experience. read more

Absolutely phenomenal trip! Captain Chuck was wonderful! Super friendly and extremely knowledgeable. We WILL be going again, and we will do whatever we need to make sure he is our skipper again! From booking, (and even changing dates at the last minute) Kim and Lizzie were very accommodating and helpful. It was such a pleasure to deal with a company that understands what old fashion customer service does for you long term! What a breath of fresh air to be treated like we were their only customer! Thank you Dave and your entire team! You all are amazing and really "get it" still. This was hands down the single best New Year's Day we have ever experienced! read more

Capt Dave's - Boat Charters Near Me - Dana Point, California

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Great morning out in the boat. Saw large pod of dolphins--at least 200. They started to stampede while we were out which was neat to see so many dolphins move that quickly--and many of the dolphins were mother-baby pairs! Boat received word of potential Orca in the area but they did not surface in our time on the boat. Would recommend this experience when visiting the area. Hannah, the naturalist and first mate on the trip seemed knowledgeable and genuinely excited about the trip and the animals. read more

Captain Cass and Soffa were amazing both very knowledgeable, friendly, and as interested in the wild life as the people aboard. Definitely will be back. read more

So fun! Today was my third trip with Capt Dave's. Shoutout to first mate Hannah and Capt Neil. Hannah was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic! She checked on everyone to see if they were feeling ok/sea sick, to take pictures, and to share some fun facts. We saw a ton of dolphins! Can't wait until my next trip with them. read more

My husband and I really enjoyed our 21/2 hour safari on Manute'a was very enjoyable. The day was perfect to be on the water. While on our tour we only sighted two gray whales and the whales never really came out of the water. For whatever reason today they stayed right below the surface of the water. Not the fault of our crew but a little disappointing since we've read other safaris with Captain Dave experienced QCuhhu whales right beside the boat. We only observed a little of their blowhole spouts from afar. The highlight of our trip was a pod of about 30-35 pacific white sided dolphins that swam right beside our boat! What a joy to watch them!played all around our boat. The crew and captain Marie were such a pleasure and we will definitely return in hopes of sighting more active whales and other marine life. read more

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We decided to book a private charter for two on a zodiac boat in honor of a birthday. Booking and payment was easy online and they called to confirm the details as well. We arrived about 30 mins early as instructed and the check in process was super easy. Parking is available behind cones for their customers, but it is a smaller lot and first come first served. Definitely plan ahead for time to park if the lot is full. If you noted that you were celebrating a birthday or other special event, they make an effort to acknowledge it with signage and a button which was cute. They will also give you a chance to use the restrooms before you depart. We got Capt. Gary for our charter and he was SO awesome! He gave us a quick rundown of all of the safety equipment on board as we headed out, then shared fun facts about the gray whales we were hoping to see and all of the other wildlife we encountered. We really appreciated how friendly he was and he made us feel right at home. Overall, the experience was everything we hoped for and more. We got to see two gray whales, bottlenose dolphins, white sided dolphins, sea lions, and a few different birds. It was worth every penny. I'd highly recommend taking a tour through them and also highly recommend Capt. Gary! Moments after our trip was over we were already talking about potentially returning in the summer. Five stars! read more

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