This Month at Dana Wharf
Check availability and buy tickets online:
DanaWharf.com
http://www.zerve.com/DanaWharf
Call: 800.979.3370
DANA POINT 40th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FESTIVAL OF WHALES
March 5, 6, 12, 13
The 40th Anniversary Festival of Whales starts this weekend!
FESTIVAL OF WHALES EVENTS AT DANA WHARF
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Dana Point Festival of Whales with Dana Wharf! The incredible 5000-mile migration of the majestic California Gray Whale from Alaska to Mexico begins in December and continues through March. During this peak season, 40 – 50 whales pass by Dana Point each day, using the Dana Point Headland’s 200-foot cliffs near the harbor as a landmark to check their migration path. Dana Point offers the BEST whale watching along the California Coast – don’t miss it! For more information on the Festival of Whales, visit http://www.festivalofwhales.com
Whale Watching Cruises
Trips depart EVERY HOUR!
9:00am – 4:00pm
$29 Adults / $19 Kids 3-12
2 and under are FREE!
The originator of Whale Watching in Orange County invites you to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. Take a 2-hour adventure cruise to see the California Gray Whales in their natural environment. Fun for all ages and sightings of whales or dolphins are guaranteed or come back again and ride free!
Catamaran Whale Cruises & Marine Mammal Lecture Series
11:30am – 1:30pm
1:30pm – 3:30pm
3:30pm – 5:0pm
$39 Adults / $29 Kids 3-12
2 and under are FREE!
Dana Wharf Whale Watching is also hosting a special two-hour Whale Watching excursion following their Marine Mammal Lecture both weekends at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM. A variety of guest marine biologists will present recent findings on local whales, dolphins and other marine mammals aboard their 63-foot, state-of-the-art OCean Adventures catamaran – featuring an incredibly spacious viewing deck and full-service deli-style gallery – for those that want a one-on-one educational experience. Prior to the 11:30 AM departure, a special lecture session from 10 AM to 11 AM and continental breakfast at Harpoon Henry’s will be included with all 11:30 AM reservations.
March 5th – Mary Blasius, Professor, IIRMES – Great White Shark expert speaking on current research on the Great White Sharks
March 6th – Dennis Kelly, Professor, Director of Coastal Dolphin Survey Project – speaking on Bottlenose Dolphin.
March 12th – Alisa Schulhman-Janiger, American Cetacean Society – speaking on Orca Whales
March 13th – Doug Thompson, author, marine naturalist – speaking on Gray Whales
DAILY WHALE WATCHING CRUISES
We have seen over 130 Gray Whales this season! Gray Whale Season is here and will run through the end of April! Each winter, the Pacific Gray Whales pass by Dana Point, many believe that Dana Point is a landmark on their journey. After spending the summer feeding in the food-rich waters of the arctic, the Grays swim south along the coast to the bays of Baja California, where they mate and nurse their young. Along the way they pass Dana Wharf, where you can witness the annual winter journey. We saw 272 Gray Whales last season!
Gray Whale Watching Trips
Depart Daily!
12pm – 2pm
2pm – 4pm
*Times may vary. Please call or look online to verify times.*
Adults – $29
Kids (3-12) – $19
Join us and delight in the exciting sights and sounds of the magnificent ocean creatures at Dana Wharf. Known as a landmark for marine life sightings, Dana Wharf’s ocean adventure cruises offer rare glimpses into a huge variety of underwater wildlife and gorgeous scenic views you’ll never forget. Join us as we search for gray whales, dolphin, sea lion and other exciting marine life! All of our cruises are narrated by our seasoned captains who will educate you on the abundant ocean life on our coast. Trips are all 2 hours long, plenty of time to discover the world that lies beneath! Remember that sightings are guaranteed! If you don’t see A GOOD SHOWING of whales or dolphin, you will get your ticket back and are invited to come out again with us! These “whale checks” never expire.
Catamaran 3-Hour Whale Watching Adventure Cruise
Saturdays & Sundays
11:30am – 2:30pm
*See special times the catamaran is running during the Festival of Whales*
Adults – $49
Kids (3-12) – $34
Come aboard our new luxurious catamaran for a 3-hour, affordable cruise and you’ll have a totally different, intimate and unforgettable experience. The 63-foot OCean Adventure catamaran is a beautiful, NEW, state-of-the-art vessel with a full-service deli-style galley. These extended, 3-hour whale watching cruises will view the Gray Whale migration as these gentle giants pass by Dana Point on their 10,000 mile journey. In addition to the whales, we also see large pods of dolphin, sea lions, birds and other exciting marine life. Every trip is a new experience, so be sure to come out often!
DAILY SPORTFISHING ADVENTURES
Sportfishing trips are departing daily! Rockfishing just reopened on March 1st, so rock cod trips are running now! Our 3rd Annual Halibut Derby will also be running through the end of April. Drift days are running Fridays and Sundays. The jackpot is over $2,500! We have some great spring fishing specials including:
March 15th – April 30th we will have 1/2 price fishing on Wednesdays! Remember that Tuesdays are 1/2 price all year long!
March 1st – April 30th – Buy any full price 3/4 day trip and get a coupon for a 1/2 off a future 3/4 day trip to use ANYTIME after May 1st!
Free Kid’s Fishing Clinic
Every Sunday
12:00pm – 12:30pm
Join us every Sunday for our free kid’s fishing clinic! Dana Wharf is proud to offer a dockside experience for young anglers! Ask the experts and learn new fishing techniques, new hook tying secrets, win raffle prizes and so much more! No reservations are needed! Try out your new techniques on the 1/2 day trip departing immediately after the clinic!
Kid’s Fish FREE!
Every Sunday
12:45pm – 5:45pm
Join us every Sunday (right after our Free Kid’s Fishing Clinic) for our 12:45pm 1/2 Day Fishing Trip and kids fish free! One child will get a free 1/2 Day Fishing Trip (a savings of $25) per paying adult! Rental gear is included for the kids too! A savings of $12!
For our full public fishing schedule, click here!
Find Dana Wharf on Facebook or Twitter for updates and great deals!
ABOUT DANA WHARF
Dedicated to helping locals and visitors alike enjoy the unique wonders of Dana Point Harbor and the Orange County coastline, Dana Wharf hopes for the privilege of escorting you on an awe-inspiring whale watching cruise or providing you with a memorable deep sea fishing adventure. The warm waters right out of Dana Point Harbor are flourishing with sea life including whales, dolphin, harbor seals, and California sea lion. Our thriving coastal waters provide bountiful fishing of sand bass, calico bass, halibut, bonito, yellowtail, yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, albacore, and dorado.
Whether coming to Dana Point for fishing or whale watching, or privately chartering one of our fishing or whale watching boats, our catamaran, or our sailboats, one thing is for certain; your trip through the beautiful and scenic Orange County coast will be unforgettable.
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching is conveniently located in Dana Point, Orange County. We’re located just south of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, and Laguna Beach. If you’re unfamiliar with the Orange County, Newport Beach, or Dana Point areas, we’re located about 30 minutes south of Disneyland and one hour south of Los Angeles and an hour north of San Diego.
For more information, visit http://www.danawharf.com or call 949.496.5794
