Event occurs annually January
through March
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. This 5,000-mile migration brings
much of the pod past Dana Point, where pods of Giant Grays can
be easily seen and photographed. Many believe Dana Point is a
reference “landmark” for the whales and is famous as a gathering
area; they trace one of nature’s longest migratory paths. The
Gray Whale has become symbolic of the vast, mysterious and
fragile marine resources of the Pacific Coast. The Gray Whale is
the most accessible for human observation. During their southern
migration, they tend to hug the shore. This allows for visitors
to approach the whales in a peaceful manner, letting us make
more intimate contact with them. Today’s whale watchers hunt
with cameras and binoculars, not harpoons. 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 the open ocean in 5
minutes. Whale watching has, in fact, become a traditional
winter activity in California. Dana Point Harbor is the official
“Whale Watching Capital of the West”. The following
companies offer various types of whale watching trips from
public to private, contact each of them to set sail for your
particular adventure. Dana Wharf Sportfishing – (949) 496-5794
www.danawharfsportfishing.com; Dana Island Yacht Charters –
(949) 248-7400 www.danaislandyachts.com; Ocean
Institute – (949) 496-2274 www.ocean-institute.org;
Aventura Sailing Association – (949) 493-9493
www.aventurasailing.com; Captain Dave’s Dolphin Safari –
(949) 488-2828 www.dolphinsafari.com
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Dana Point
Hotels
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