Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari

Specialties

Dolphin & whale watching aboard hi-​tech catamaran with Underwater Viewing Pods! Capt. Dave’s never-​crowded catamarans can get you up close and personal with dolphin mega-​pods and magnificent whales all year long.

Bring the kids, family, and friends to see dolphins up to 10,000 strong, Gray Whales (Dec — Apr) and giant Blue Whales (June — Oct). Throughout the year also see Fin, Minke, and Humpback Whales and occasionally Killer Whales. Capt. Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari in Dana Point will take you aboard a hi-​tech catamaran sailboat with two Eye-​to-​Eye Underwater viewing PODs for an educational and exciting experience where you’ll get a chance to get within arm’s reach of wild dolphin. Hear the animals, too, with our hydrophone while an experienced marine naturalist explains how these animals live. Capt. Dave’s luxury power catamaran «Lily» features state-​of-​the-​art whale research & cushioned bow seating. Mrs. Capt. Dave’s triple fudge brownies are served. Departures daily.

History

Established in 1998.

Capt. Dave Anderson… changing the way people watch dolphins and whales. The first in So. CA to take people out Dolphin and Whale Watching daily and on a sailboat, too. His first catamaran got people even closer to the animals. Adding a hydrophone, passengers could hear the animals vocalizing, as well as special netting on the front of the boat to get you within arm’s reach. In 2004 Capt. Dave completed, «Wild Dolphins and Whales of Southern California» which captured eight awards at two of the world’s largest wildlife film festivals. Next Dave added the world’s first underwater viewing pod… so you can actually move through the water surrounded by dolphins, and later added a second pod. What could be more fun that experiencing dolphins and whale up close all these exciting features? Sharing it with friends and family at home, of course! Capt. Dave then launched the world’s first live broadcast from sea at dol​phin​sa​fari​.com

Meet the Business Owner

Dave A.

Business Owner

Dave Anderson: Expert naturalist, popular speaker to a wide audience, his documentary «Wild Dolphins and Whales of Southern California» won 8 prestigious international awards. Has appeared on ABC, CBS, NBC, MTV, Animal Planet, Travel Channel.

In 2009, Capt. Dave organized Orange County’s first whale disentanglement group, which was later successful in removing nets wrapped around a Gray Whale, ‘Lily’ in 2010. Sadly, Lily died, but Dave continues the crusade to stop the entanglement of nearly 1000 dolphins and whale in nets DAILY with the publication of his award-​winning book, «Lily, A Gray Whale’s Odyssey». His book won eight awards in 2013 including the prestigious Benjamin Franklin award for Best New Voice from the Independent Book Publishers Association. ‘Lily’ is a captivating and scientifically accurate tale of a gray whale’s migration with breathtaking photographs. The Ellen Show and CBS Morning News have featured Captain Dave for his conservation efforts.