Up-Close Dolphin & Whale Watching Zodiac Adventure in Dana Point

Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari
4.9
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KenTennis
1 day ago
6 of us went out on a Dolphin/Whale watch trip on a Wednesday morning at 11am in December 2025. We saw hundreds of dolphins and several whales. Capt Gary was great. He explained what we were looking at and gave us interesting facts about the animals we were witnessing. The boat was comfortable and yet high speed, so we could get to where the dolphins & whales were feeding.

A fast and fun wildlife adventure awaits your family aboard our zodiac-style vessels (rigid inflatable boats). This cruise of up to 20 passengers gives you a thrilling 2-hour look at Southern California’s year-round whales and dolphins. With speeds of 30 knots or more, you’ll spend less time looking for animals and more time enjoying them! Your zodiac adventure will have you incredibly close to the ocean’s surface and within arm’s reach of wildlife. At the conclusion of your cruise, you'll receive one of Mrs. Capt. Dave's famously delicious Triple Fudge Brownies. (Some folks love the brownies more than the whales!) We are a certified Responsible Whale Watching partner with the World Cetacean Alliance located in Dana Point, CA, the Dolphin and Whale Capital of the World®, and the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas.

Departure Point

  • Please arrive 45 minutes in advance. Check-in upstairs at our waterfront Dolphin Deck building. Located next to Baby Beach and OC Sailing & Events Center in Dana Point Harbor (Dana Point, Orange County, California)
Return Details
  • Please arrive 45 minutes in advance. Check-in upstairs at our waterfront Dolphin Deck building. Located next to Baby Beach and OC Sailing & Events Center in Dana Point Harbor (Dana Point, Orange County, California)
Duration2 hoursLanguages Available
  • Human tour guide - English

Additional Information

  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Minimum age is 6 years
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • You may encounter occasional ocean spray
  • No over-sized bags or coolers please.
Inclusions
  • U.S. Coast Guard inspected and certified vessel
  • Cetacean Declaration - Join us again for free within one calendar year if you don't see any dolphins or whales
  • Live commentary on board
  • Licensed Captain and professional crew member
Exclusions
  • Food and drinks (available to purchase at check-in)
Redemption InstructionsPlease check in 45 minutes before trip time. Public parking is free and first-come, first-served. IMPORTANT: Please allow ample time to arrive and check-in. Unfortunately, we cannot delay the boat's departure nor rebook you on another trip if you are late. • Minimum age is 6 years old.• Participants with head, neck, or back problems or other serious medical conditions and pregnant women are not allowed.Voucher InfoMobile or paper ticket accepted

The tour identified in this promotion is made available through Viator. Groupon is not affiliated with or sponsored by the Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari in connection with this deal. Please contact Groupon customer service for all inquiries related to this offer. Inquiries placed to Viator will be directed back to Groupon. This offer is not eligible for promo codes.

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Customer Reviews

4.9
based on Groupon 343 reviews
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All Groupon reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant. Review requests are sent by email to customers who purchased the deal.
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KenTennis
6 of us went out on a Dolphin/Whale watch trip on a Wednesday morning at 11am in December 2025. We saw hundreds of dolphins and several whales. Capt Gary was great. He explained what we were looking at and gave us interesting facts about the animals we were witnessing. The boat was comfortable and yet high speed, so we could get to where the dolphins & whales were feeding.
coryn537
We had an amazing experience! We did the private 2 hour zodiac tour. Everyone at Capt. Dave's was kind and knowledgeable. We saw more dolphins and whales then we could have imagined. Thank you for the wonderful experience!
Y3120MFjohna
This is our second time going out on a Zodiac whale watching trip with Capt. Dave's at Dana Point. Always informative information about the marine wildlife. Saw humpbacks and thousands of common dolphins. Great experience!
cathyp324
We've toured with Captain Dave's multiiple times. They are our go-to whenever we have anything to celebrate. Capt. Maria and Safa are wonderful guides and are always all about the environment! We'll definitely book again!
davidsJ3386ZF
Had a great time. Decided to go since I had time and the price was very reasonable. Small group since it was off season. The atmosphere was excellent. The passengers were all friendly and worked together well to spot the whales. Passengers shared photos and videos. Captain Jim was great. He was on a mission to find whales since he knew they were out there. He kept us out a little longer until we found them. We saw hundreds of dolphins very close to the boat and several whales in the distance. Kudos to the owners for providing signature brownies at the end of the 3 hour trip. Bottom line ...I would take this trip again in a heartbeat. Excellent value for a once in a lifetime experience.

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