The blue whale s continue to stun passengers off dana point, dana wharf whale watching is having one of the best blue whale seasons on record come join us in dana point. Dana wharf whale watch 34675 golden lantern, dana point, california 92629 rated 4. Dana point is teeming with festivities during this special time of year, offering something for everyone. Whale watching dana point ca sunsets recovery center for. 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.
On a boat designed specifically for whale watching, come facetoface with the gentle giants on. 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. That could be because of dana point s twomilewide, eastwest facing coastline. The dana point whale festival is one of southern californias largest whale celebrations.
The festival is held in march, but whale watching excursions begin the end of december, and are offered through the first of april. We didnt see any whales, but we did come across a pod of dolphinshundreds of them. Cruise the pacific ocean off dana point on a whale watching excursion aboard a comfortable 95 vessel. Dana point whale watching tours take off from dana point harbor, the pride of the southern california small craft harbor system. Book a whale and dolphin watching tour with us from dana point today. Dana point preserve, hilltop conservation park and the south. Dana point harbor is known as the whale capital of the world. The pilgrim is a replica of the original ship that was built in 1825 for shipping back and forth between the east coast and california.
It draws the whales and dolphins close to the shore. All too familiar a scene, whale watchers got to see a grim. 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. Video laguna niguel dana point, ca families on board a dana wharf whale watching vessel got. Special events are integral to the enchantment of dana point. Whale watching at dana point, california wander with laura. The warm waters right out of dana point harbor are flourishing with sea life including whales, dolphins, harbor seals, and california. Tripadvisor whale watching excursion in dana point. His writings document the voyage from boston around cape horn to california on the merchant ship, pilgrim, and describe the area once known as capistrano bay, as the most romantic spot on the. From november to april is whale migration time for the gray whales, while may through november the blue whales are passing through. Tripadvisor whale watching excursion in dana point provided. Whale watching excursion in dana point 2020 viator.
Rare pilot whales spotted off dana point for first time in two decades. Whale and dolphin watching from dana point orange county. Whale, whale, whale this week, over twodozen lucky surfers at doheny state beach in dana point got the experience of a lifetime when a massive gray whale decided to check out its new neighbors. We get wild life migrating down to mexico and up to northing california, oregon and canada.
Boaters were asked sunday to be on the lookout for a gray whale tangled in an unknown material heading north along southern californias coast. Whale gets close enough to pet off southern california. Filmed on june 27, 2016 near dana point, southern california under noaa mmhsrp permit. They are planning to go to sacramento and ask that the state declare california home to dana point, the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world. A video shows great white shark making a meal of scarlet, a. Underwater footage of a blue whales fluke entangled in line. The whale was observed by whale watching boats from captain daves dolphin and whale safari and dana wharf sportfishing, but it. 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. 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. The dana point festival of whales, the worlds oldest whale festival and one of southern californias largest seafaring celebrations, reaches out to whale admirers around the world. Drone footage captures a whale swimming up to surfers in dana point, california one surfer was startled as the whale passed by. Massive blue whale salutes dana point laguna niguel, ca.
A pod of about 9 or 10 rarely seen orcas were spotted less than three miles off the coast of dana point by captain chuck gathers of capt. Rescuers in southern california looking for tangled whale. 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. Dana point dolphin and whale watching tickets capt. Ap a delighted passenger on a whalewatching cruise was able to pet a 35foot 11meter gray whale that surfaced. The incredible 5000mile migration of the majestic california gray whale from alaska to mexico begins in december and continues through march. Orcas off dana point california, rare eastern tropical. Drone footage captures a whale swimming up to surfers in. Whale watching cruises operate from san diego, dana point, long beach, ventura, santa barbara, monterey, half moon bay and san francisco. 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. 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. San clemente whale watching deals in san clemente, ca.
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. Massive whale joins surfers in california teton gravity. 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. Activities experience the ultimate adventure at dana point harbor. All too familiar a scene, whale watchers got to see a. Whale watching in dana point orange county whale watching. Click here to view location 24440 dana point harbor drive dana point, ca 92629 24440 dana point harbor drive dana point, ca 92629. The southern end of californias highway 1 offers some gorgeous drama, like beach town and whalewatching mecca dana point. Built exclusively for whale watchers, the sleek vessel features a viewing deck, a large salon, and a snack bar, so you are able to observe the action in high style. 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. Home to the worlds first and longest running annual whale festival, the dana point. Custom private charters are also available for whale watching. Explore how you can get upclose and personal with dana point s whales and dolphins. How to go whale watching in orange county orange county.
Dana point whale watching tours, dana point, ca california. Dana point whale capital of the world dana point whale. Dana point is the dolphin and whale watching capital of the world. Students drone footage shows whale swimming around. Setting off dana point whale watching soon we were on board, and we set off bang on time at 5pm. Dana point, california whale watching press release. In the 1950s and 60s, the rightbreaking waves that tended to form here could produce 12. This 5,000mile migration brings much of the pod past dana point, where pods of giant grays can be easily seen and photographed. Tangled humpback whale freed in dana point laguna niguel. Rare pilot whales spotted off dana point for first time in two. The festival of whales parade kicks off the twoweekend celebration of the california gray whale migration. Whale swims under paddleboarders and kayakers in california. There are various companies in dana point that offer whale watching.
With 19 sites and counting in california state, the whale trail provides access and best tips to viewing marine mammals. This funfilled event draws thousands of visitors to dana point harbor each year over the first two weekends in march. The town was named after richard henry dana, who first arrived there on a trading ship circa 1835 and was entranced by the romantic clifflined area. A dana point teenager captured a rare moment on monday, nov.
Contact us for more information and book your unforgettable adventure today. Whale watching season never really ends on the california coast, according to many tour guides and boat operators. 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. View a chronological event schedule for the 2020 festival of whales.
The warm waters right out of dana point harbor are flourishing with sea life including whales, dolphins, harbor seals, and california sea lions. Watch whale swim with surfers near doheny state beach. Dana point is the best spot for whale watching in the oc. Public dolphin and whale watching tours are offered every day, all year long. Buy tickets online or call 949 6731434 to schedule a cruise.
Festival of whales parade dana drive island way dana point harbor drive. It has one of the few harbors along the orange county coast, and with ready access via state route 1, it is a popular local destination for surfing. If you are coming to whale watch, you want to do it from dana point with dana wharf, the pioneers of the industry. Welcome to the dana point festival of whales in light of the announcement by governor newsom and the california department of public health advising the postponement or cancellation of public mass gatherings of 250 or more to slow the spread of covid19 coronavirus, weekend two of the dana point festival of whales has been canceled. Entangled humpback whale off dana point, california youtube. Visitors come from all over southern california to celebrate the annual migration of gray whales from alaska to mexico. Dana point festival of whales events and information. From dana point harbor, gray whales can be seen just seconds away by boat, and nearby are gigantic and gentle blue whales, fearsome killer whales and marine. A drone pilot captures a huge whale swimming right under surfers off dana point, california. 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 located in south orange county dana point is an excellent place to spot passing whales. Beginning in 1971 we are the pioneer of whale watching adventures in orange county, california.
Book your whale watching cruise online to prepare for your visit to dana point. Baby gray whale coaxed back to sea from dana point photos. During this peak season, 40 50 whales pass by dana point each day, using the dana point headlands 200foot cliffs near the. Ap a delighted passenger on a whale watching cruise was able to pet a 35foot 11meter gray whale that surfaced near the boat off southern california.
Dana wharf whale watching began in 1971 and was the first whale watching company in orange county. The tour is a docentled walk along the cnlm dana point preserve trail where guests learn about the whales and dolphins frequently seen in the southern california area and, depending on the time of year, may spot a whale or two from shore. On a boat designed specifically for whale watching, come facetoface with the gentle giants on this exciting cruise off the coast. Dana point whale watching tours offers several different types of boats, from sail to power, large to small, and everything in between. There are five overlooks with comfortable bench seating. From magical yearround whale watching to stunning coastlines, dana point whale watching tours offer a worldclass experience for all ages.
Climb aboard the dana pride to begin your wildlife tour of the californian coast. A baby gray whale is back out to sea after hanging out in dana point harbor for several hours. Dana point each winter, thousands of california gray whales leave the cold artic seas and follow the coastline to the warm, calm waters of southern california and baja. Aug 03, 2017 dana point, ca an entangled humpback whale was seen off the dana point coastline by captain daves dolphin and whale safari boats. Book the best dana point harbor whale watching cruises online now at capt. Nov 20, 2015 a humpback whale was found entangled off dana point harbor today. The southern origin of californias highway 1 winds through some gorgeous locations, like beach town and whalewatching mecca dana point. Dana point whale watching pacific coast highway travel. If you want to find whale watching cruises in orange county california, youll find them leaving from dana point harbor.
The festival of whales, dana points most famous annual event, is a celebration of the annual migration of the magnificent california gray whale. A playful gray whale hung out close to boats off dana point and laguna on monday, feb. Giant whale swim under surfers in southern california. Whale watching at dana point and coastal orange county. Whale watching in dana point book now at captain daves. Whale gets close enough to pet off southern california california. Whale watching cruises in california captain daves. Whale gets close enough to boat for passenger to pet it. 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.
We are the premier yearround whale watching facility in southern california. The marine mammal was spotted in the harbor around 8 a. Watch whale swim with surfers at doheny beach laguna niguel dana point, ca a san juan hills student flying his drone over 20 surfers noticed this whale. Video shows curious gray whale swimming under unsuspecting. Explore the sites using the interactive map below or click the button to find a filterable listing of sites, amenities, and commonly seen marine mammals. Enjoying the sun on our first whale watching trip out of dana point harbor. Dana wharf is the premiere yearround whale watching company in dana point. The 16foot great white shark sank its sharp teeth into the whales bloated carcass, taking a few bites of her breakfast in the early morning hours saturday about 14 miles off dana point. Giant marine park off laguna beach provides amazing whale watching year round. Dana wharf 34675 golden lantern dana point, ca 92629. Best places for whale watching from shore in southern california. Dana point, ca an entangled humpback whale was seen off the dana point coastline by captain daves dolphin and whale safari boats. Unlike other southern california harbors, dana point has no towering buildings, oil rigs or large ships that distort the whale watchers sense of the pristine and spectacular encounters. Dana point harbor is a key migration point for a variety of whales and other sea life.
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