Whale Watching Thoughts

TiggerTrigger

a.k.a. HouCuseChickie
Joined
Jul 16, 2010
We have a few days in LA for some non-Disneyland activities. I keep coming back to a whale watching trip, but I have some concerns.

First off, does anyone have any preferences ... both in companies and locations? I've found some that go from Dana Point and some from Newport Landing. Obviously drive times are different and prices vary, but is there any advantage of one location over another or is one company better than the other? I know sightings aren't guaranteed and they may not go out if weather is bad.

My other big concern is life jackets. I know all of the boats have to have them for emergency situations, but I was quite concerned that the one company I reached out to said that they aren't available under any other circumstance. So, basically the boat has to be going down for you to get a life jacket. I know these are not small boats, but we've been out on large party boats for fishing, glass bottom boats, and other types of large pleasure cruises/vessels in other states (even Mexico and Canada) and life jackets were always available to anyone who wanted to wear one. My coworkers think I'm overreacting, but we've done a lot of boating activities over the years and I've never been denied a life jacket...especially for a child.

Finally, aside from possible savings, can you think of any advantages to booking in advance? Just thinking we may want to play this by ear, but if sell outs are common, maybe it's worth it.
 
All boats have to have life jackets , coast makes sure of certain conditions. Which include life boat drill. You have to sign to show you have been instructed. I go whale watching quite a bit. Now companies may vary in price. And from where I go when there is a whale sighting they let the other boats know so they can catch up to them for all to view.
Here are a few sites to look under for bargains. Just type in the city. Newport Beach, Dana Point.

TravelZoo.com
LivingSocial.com
Groupon.com

Go with the ones that tell you they have life vests for the kids.

And if you are not comfortable with the whale watching, you could always go to Catalina island. Taking the golf cart around the Island is fun.
 
You must use Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. Best whale watching on the planet, hands down. The are the best along the entire So Cal coast. The whale are active now. I sail with them at least once month during the whale season.
 
I've been out with Dane Point Whale Watching a few times. Loved it. Easy drive down the I5 and free parking. Tuesdays are half price
Danawharf.com

Changed link to proper site
 
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Thanks for all of the suggestions! Life jackets ended up being the deciding factor for our choice. I appreciate the help :)
 
what you find is the dolphins can be a lot more entertaining than whales. Dress warm it is very cold out there now
 
Just was looking into the Dana Point one but can't figure out how to get half price for a Tuesday- I'm trying to book for October 4th, but it's charging me full price. Is there a coupon code or something?
 


Maybe they don't book that far ahead. I just checked the website and see the half price Tuesday's are still on. There is also a sign up for their emails, maybe that will help. Or check them out on facebook. They do not send out too many emails. I get maybe one a month unless there's something special going on.
 
Maybe they don't book that far ahead. I just checked the website and see the half price Tuesday's are still on. There is also a sign up for their emails, maybe that will help. Or check them out on facebook. They do not send out too many emails. I get maybe one a month unless there's something special going on.
I'm clicking on the link above, but there is nothing there about 1/2 price Tuesdays. Here's the page I'm going to: http://www.danapointwhalewatching.com/trips/daily-whale-watching-trips/
Is there a different place you are talking about? I did see some other places had 1/2 price Tuesdays, but I can't find it anywhere on the Captain Daves site that's linked above....Thank you!
 
Looks like there are 2 very similar websites for Dana Point.
Try
Www.danawharf.com/whalewatching/ or just danawharf.com
It isn't the Dave's site for half price.


Sorry I'm on a new tablet and haven't figured out all the tricks for copying
 
You must use Island Packers from Ventura Harbor. Best whale watching on the planet, hands down. The are the best along the entire So Cal coast. The whale are active now. I sail with them at least once month during the whale season.

I've gone whale watching from Long Beach, but if Ventura has a better experience I'd like to try it. Thank you.
 
FWIW, we went with Captain Dave's off of Dana Point since he offered life jackets and his boat offers a more unique experience.
 
FWIW, we went with Captain Dave's off of Dana Point since he offered life jackets and his boat offers a more unique experience.

How did you like his service? I've been considering going on one of his whale watches because of all the advertisement I've seen about them, and I think they're highly rated on tripadvisor/yelp.
 
How did you like his service? I've been considering going on one of his whale watches because of all the advertisement I've seen about them, and I think they're highly rated on tripadvisor/yelp.

Mind you, I have no comparison points with any other local (CA) wildlife cruises, but they were definitely better than wildlife cruises we've done in other places. The captain and crew stayed engaged with the passengers throughout the trip, explained a variety of things as we went along (both animal and local coastline community/history related), would detail their excitement over certain conditions - as they were conditions recently proving to be good for whale spotting, were quick to fix any unexpected problems (it was exceptionally windy that day, so there were a few issues), and really did everything they could to try and give us a great experience. There were at least 2 or 3 groups on board who were repeat customers (all locals) who said it's the best of the options. Unfortunately, the wind made for really choppy waters, which doesn't make for good whale watching conditions. He actually kept us out a little bit longer (causing his second cruise to run a little late) since he was hoping to see something as conditions started to improve. Of course, the cruises later that day saw a humpback and a gray whale (along with several thousand dolphins). The dolphins we did encounter were eating and not wanting to play, but they still let people into the glass pontoons before all was said and done, just so they could see what it's like.

They did push their book and video at the end of the cruise, but considering it's a nice rescue story and it got Captain Dave on the Ellen show, I can see why they'd take this route. They also do family pics...very low pressure sale on that...but it's one of the best pics we've ever been offered for a touristy activity. They put a pic of your family in the center and then surround it with pics (taken by their pro photog) of some of the wildlife you've seen during your cruise. The photographer also took several family pics until he had one that he liked. They offered a prize to the first person to spot a whale before the captain or crew, but I have no idea what that would have been since we didn't see any.

Our kids commented on how it really made them feel closer to the ocean and nature. Not sure how well it's conveyed in these pics, but the open area for bow-riding and the elevated area at the stern definitely provide a more close up experience than a standard commercial boat. You will get a bit wet standing up front, but it's probably not as big of a deal if you go during the summer months.

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And the brownies they advertise as part of your cruise really are as great as described.
 
Any chance you did the Wyland's Whale and Dolphin Adventure Art Lesson before this Whale Watch? Shows it's $5 and then the kids get a free ticket with purchase of adult.
 
We enjoyed Dana Point. Have gone several times over the years. On one trip we saw tons of dolphins, seals, numerous large fish and had a great time. But there were no whales. As we left they handed out tickets for a free return trip since there were no whales. Have been on other boats out of San Diego and Newport where no whales were found but no free return tickets were given.
 
Not sure if this is too late to be of any help, but seeing Dana Point and Captain Dave's mentioned here, I just had to chime in to say that I absolutely love both of them and think they're worth your time if you need an extra activity in southern California. We went out a few times when we lived in Orange County and I've made it a point to go back every time we've returned to visit. The late summer/early fall is probably the best time to go, as it's blue whale season. Of the four times we've been out, we've seen megapods of common dolphins three times, and we also got to see two blue whales during our last trip... and let me tell you, nothing prepares you for seeing those tail flukes for the first time!

I agree that while they do push the book and video, it's not nearly as hard a sale as I've seen at a few other tourist stops. We've never had anything short of amazing service every time we've gone out. And unless they've stopped doing them, the brownies are a nice bonus at the end of the trip. Plus if you've never been to Dana Point before, that's reason enough to venture out that way. I just love the vibe and atmosphere of the city, and there's some great places to stay and eat.

Here's a few shots of the megapod from our trip last year. I need more experience with taking pictures on a boat, but this gives you a little idea of what you might see if you ever give them a try.

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As others have mentioned all boats should have enough life jackets for all the passengers. As far as preferences for reputable company I can't suggest one because the majority of all my whale watching has been done when I'm on a scuba diving boat heading out to Catalina Island where we spot whales and stop to check them out.
 

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