Pacific Whale Tours Dana Point

Pacific Whale Tours Dana Point is a locally owned and operated whale watching company based out of Dana Point Harbor in Orange County, California. Founded by lifelong waterman Captain Chris Bogseth, our tours are designed for guests who want a more personal and immersive experience than large commercial whale watching boats can offer.

We specialize exclusively in private whale watching tours, allowing us to tailor each trip to current wildlife activity, sea conditions, and the interests of your group. With comfortable, well-equipped vessels and expert captains at the helm, our goal is simple: create meaningful marine wildlife encounters while respecting the ocean and its inhabitants.

Dana Point is a marine wildlife hotspot where the ocean’s baleen whale giants and nimble residents come together in a breathtaking ballet. The most commonly spotted whales here are California Grey Whales, Blue Whales, Fin Whales and Humpback Whales—each species playing a unique role in the ecosystem and offering its own kind of spectacle for observers.

The Grey Whale’s epic migration journey between Baja California and Alaska is a highlight during winter and spring months, while the summer brings the chance to witness Blue Whales. These giants dwarf everything else in the sea, with hearts as big as cars and spouts that soar impressively high.

Humpback Whales also grace these waters, renowned for their acrobatic breaches and haunting songs that travel miles beneath the waves. Each species’ feeding habits, migration timing, and behaviors add layers of excitement and unpredictability that keep even regular visitors engagedand coming back for more fun.

Alongside these majestic whales swim a lively cast of smaller cetaceans and marine mammals that add color and variety to every trip.

Dolphins are almost guaranteed companions on your voyage; Common Dolphins or Bottlenose Dolphins are spotted on about 90% of tours leaving Dana Point Harbor. These quick, playful animals often surf and play games in the boat’s wake with remarkable agility, and bring an energy that contrasts beautifully with the slow, stately movements of whales. Their sleek bodies cut through water at speeds approaching 27 miles per hour, making them thrilling to watch in action.

Sea Lions with their distinct barks and curious pups round out this marine community, often lounging on nearby rocks or bobbing alongside boats without a care. Encounters with Orca Whales, rarer but equally captivating apex predators, add an element of surprise—reminding us that Dana Point’s waters are part of a vast interconnected oceanic wilderness teeming with life.

Each sighting is a reminder that these tours offer more than just whale watching they provide a window into a complex marine ecosystem alive with intricate relationships and stunning adaptations. The thrill of spotting a rare Finback Whale dorsal fin slicing through the waves or witnessing dolphins leap joyfully beside your boat creates memories that extend far beyond the trip itself.

Beyond the extraordinary wildlife encounters, the Dana Point, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente coastline paint a stunning backdrop that enhances every journey offshore—inviting you to appreciate nature’s artistry both above and below the waterline.