Dolphins, Whales, and Sharks, Oh My!
Orange County offers more than just the whale watching it is famous for. Our scenic waters are teeming with so many different types of wild sea creatures, sharks, dolphins, and whales that you never know what you may encounter during your whale watching trip. Every safari is different!
Do you “sea” lions? Yes, we do!
Dolphins and whales are not the only year-round animals seen during our whale watching safaris. Throughout the year we also see a group of animals called Pinnipeds. This group includes California Sea Lions, which are viewed on nearly every trip, as well as Harbor Seals and large Elephant Seals. Do you know the difference between a seal and a sea lion? Learn how to tell them apart from our expert naturalists during your safari!
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Harbor seal pups can dive for up to 2 minutes when they’re only a couple of days old.
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Sea lions are the 2nd most numerous marine mammal off the coast of Dana Point, California.
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Some of our other wild sea creatures beyond sharks, whales, and dolphins are elephant seals. Elephant seals spend much of their time offshore, diving to depths of 1,000 feet or more, and resting only briefly at the surface.
We see more than 50 species of beautiful marine birds including endangered Brown Pelicans, Cormorants, Blue Herons, Terns, Egrets, Shearwaters, Gulls, and more.
A few of our frequently seen birds include:
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Brown pelicans almost disappeared from North America due to pesticides in the food chain.
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We commonly see two types of gulls: California Gulls and Herring Gulls
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When it comes to other wild sea creatures you can see beyond sharks, whales, and dolphins, you may get to witness the Arctic Terns. Arctic terns make the longest migration of any bird; traveling from the breeding grounds in the Arctic to wintering grounds in Antarctica.
You won’t “need a bigger boat” to view sharks and other fish!
From tiny anchovies to the second largest fish in the world, Dana Point is host to a great variety of fish, many of which can be seen during our dolphin and whale watching excursions.
Among the wild sea creatures, sharks, whales, and dolphins it’s possible to see on Captain Dave’s cruises, you may also encounter Mola Mola. Also known as Sunfish, it is one of the most frequent fish our passengers see because sunfish like to lay flat on the surface of the water. Mola Mola are the largest bony fish in the world and can weigh up to 5,000 pounds.
Occasionally, various species of sharks and dolphins are seen at the surface including Great White Sharks, Mako Sharks, Blue Sharks, Thresher Sharks, and Hammerhead Sharks. During our regular dolphin and whale watching safaris we have also encountered very rare Basking Sharks, a filter feeder and the second-largest living fish after the Whale Shark! Take a look at our sightings log to find out when you’re likely to see some of these species.
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Sharks and dolphins are found in abundance in Southern California. In fact, Dana Point is one of only a handful of locations around the world to have seen a Megamouth Shark.
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Also known as Sunfish, they are the heaviest bony fish in the world, reaching lengths up to 14 feet across!
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Small fish like sardines and anchovies are often seen grouped tightly together during a “feeding frenzy”, when dolphins and sharks, birds, sea lions, and sometimes minke or humpback whales are enjoying a feast.
Uncommon Sea Creatures & Picturesque Landscapes
Unique and rare wildlife are also observed include beautiful jellyfish, sea turtles, devil rays, by-the-wind sailors, and more.
And on top of all the incredible animals, Captain Dave’s Dana Point whale watching safaris also view historic boats, gorgeous coastline and beaches, and many other memorable sights.
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There are 5 known species of sea turtle off the California coast: Green, Leatherback, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley, and Pacific Hawksbill.
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Although they resemble a jellyfish, By-the-Wind Sailors (Velella) are actually hydrozoans that “sail” with the wind and ocean currents.
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Only in southern California can you view white sandy beaches and palm trees along with snow-covered mountains at the same time!