About
Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari offers dolphin and whale watching eco tours, including the Eco-Hero Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari, Zodiac Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, Whale Geek Cetacean Exploration, and the Pacific Airshow & Whale Watching Safari. The program also offers private boat charters and educational whale watching field trips, with live narration from a knowledgeable crew while guests observe marine wildlife in its natural habitat. Some cruises with this company feature exclusive underwater glass viewing pods, described as the world’s only underwater viewing pods, and complimentary Mrs. Capt. Dave’s homemade brownies are provided onboard, with additional snacks and beverages available for purchase.
• Ages: 0–12 years old
• Schedule: Eco-Hero Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari on Saturday, March 7, 2026, with a duration of 2½ hours
• Price: Eco-Hero Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari: Adult (Age 13 & up) $100 with instant discount to $82.68; Child (Age 0–12) free with paid adult (regular $70); Additional Child (Age 0–12) without a paid adult $70 with instant discount to $57.88
Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari operates Hoku Nai’a, a 65-foot power catamaran that is the largest vessel in the fleet, with a double-deck design, a partially covered upper deck, a fully enclosed first deck with surfboard-style tables and bench seating, ample seating on both decks, two onboard restrooms, and an onboard bar with drinks and snacks available for purchase; Hoku Nai’a does not have underwater viewing pods. The program notes that assorted dry snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, hard seltzers, and wine are available to buy on the boat, and that guests have a chance to purchase drinks and snacks before boarding, with complimentary homemade brownies provided onboard. One testimonial states that masks are required for the whole duration of the ride, and another notes that this cruise runs at reduced capacity for a more spacious experience.
Local environmental partners and guest educators, including Shark Stewards, are on board some trips to provide insight into marine conservation, sharks, and ocean stewardship, and the Eco-Hero Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari is offered in celebration of the Dana Point Festival of Whales, during which kids 12 and younger are free with paid adults. Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari is a Responsible Whale Watching–approved partner with the World Cetacean Alliance, and Dana Point is recognized as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World® and the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas.
Testimonials describe crews and captains as knowledgeable, engaging, and attentive, and mention feeling safe, including around COVID-19 precautions such as mask requirements and reduced capacity. Families and other guests report seeing humpback whales, blue whales, gray whales, Bryde’s whales with a calf, bottlenose and common dolphins, large dolphin groups, sea lions, and underwater views of dolphins from viewing windows on some catamarans. Several testimonials mention that trips sometimes last longer than advertised with group permission, that the boats allow easy movement for viewing wildlife, and that some guests plan to return and recommend the trips to friends and family.
Last updated July 5, 2026.
• Ages: 0–12 years old
• Schedule: Eco-Hero Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari on Saturday, March 7, 2026, with a duration of 2½ hours
• Price: Eco-Hero Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari: Adult (Age 13 & up) $100 with instant discount to $82.68; Child (Age 0–12) free with paid adult (regular $70); Additional Child (Age 0–12) without a paid adult $70 with instant discount to $57.88
Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari operates Hoku Nai’a, a 65-foot power catamaran that is the largest vessel in the fleet, with a double-deck design, a partially covered upper deck, a fully enclosed first deck with surfboard-style tables and bench seating, ample seating on both decks, two onboard restrooms, and an onboard bar with drinks and snacks available for purchase; Hoku Nai’a does not have underwater viewing pods. The program notes that assorted dry snacks, water, soft drinks, beer, hard seltzers, and wine are available to buy on the boat, and that guests have a chance to purchase drinks and snacks before boarding, with complimentary homemade brownies provided onboard. One testimonial states that masks are required for the whole duration of the ride, and another notes that this cruise runs at reduced capacity for a more spacious experience.
Local environmental partners and guest educators, including Shark Stewards, are on board some trips to provide insight into marine conservation, sharks, and ocean stewardship, and the Eco-Hero Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari is offered in celebration of the Dana Point Festival of Whales, during which kids 12 and younger are free with paid adults. Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari is a Responsible Whale Watching–approved partner with the World Cetacean Alliance, and Dana Point is recognized as the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World® and the first Whale Heritage Site in the Americas.
Testimonials describe crews and captains as knowledgeable, engaging, and attentive, and mention feeling safe, including around COVID-19 precautions such as mask requirements and reduced capacity. Families and other guests report seeing humpback whales, blue whales, gray whales, Bryde’s whales with a calf, bottlenose and common dolphins, large dolphin groups, sea lions, and underwater views of dolphins from viewing windows on some catamarans. Several testimonials mention that trips sometimes last longer than advertised with group permission, that the boats allow easy movement for viewing wildlife, and that some guests plan to return and recommend the trips to friends and family.
Last updated July 5, 2026.
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