It is about an hour and 10 minutes from Venice Beach at low traffic times and involves some toll expense (around $6). It is a fairly straightforward drive. San Diego is a big area. Without knowing where you are starting from, I am unable to make a comparison. To provide some reference, at the same low traffic time (Sunday afternoon) it is an hour and twenty minutes from the San Diego Airport to Venice Beach.

you can bring your own alcohol. on certain special cruises, you can purchase on board.

It would be pretty difficult for someone who isn’t sure footed.

Hi Ronald. All of our vessels have at least 1 restroom on board except for our zodiac "Fast Cat". There are also restrooms on land nearby that you can use before and after your trip. If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to call or email us.

Hi Nancy. Children of all ages are welcome aboard our regular 2.5-hour safaris. We do have Coast Guard approved PFDs (personal flotation devices) for children, however they are a big horse-collar type of flotation, and not comfortable to wear. Children are not required to wear our PFDs during the trip. If you have a comfortable life jacket for your 2 year old that you’d like to bring for him/her to wear throughout the trip, you’re welcome to do so. Kids are safe anywhere on the boat as long as you are with them. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to call us!

Hi, Thanks for contacting Captain Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari. I like to think that whales are smarter than us humans because they don’t bother with wearing watches or carrying cell phones. They eat when the want to eat, sleep when they want to sleep, and play when they want to play! And that means there is no particular time of day when you’re more likely to see animals. We see whales and dolphins throughout the day. There are some oceanic conditions that can aid in the spotting of animals though. After all, there are no fancy gadgets needed to spot whales, just a good pair of eyes! So sometimes it can be easier to find animals early in the morning, when the ocean is usually calmest. We see whales throughout the year, plus up to 5 different species of spectacular dolphins on a regular basis, including mega-pods that can number up to 10,000 dolphins. During the months of December through May we see gray whales on their annual migration. In between May and November we encounter the largest known animal to ever have lived, the giant blue whale. Throughout the year we also see fin whales, minke whales, and humpback whales. Rare whales that could be seen at any time include orcas (killer whales), Bryde’s whales, sei whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales.

Hi. There is not a particular time of day when you’re more likely to see animals. We see whales and dolphins at sunrise, mid-day, and sunset.

Hi Tim. We see whales, and dolphins too, all year round! During the months between December through May we see gray whales on their annual migration between the waters off Alaska and the lagoons of Baja. In the months between May and November we see the largest known animal to ever have lived, the giant blue whale. Throughout the year we see fin whales, minke whales, humpback whales, and occasionally orcas. Rare whales that could be seen at any time include Bryde’s whales, sei whales, sperm whales, pilot whales, and false killer whales. Visit our website to learn more about our trips, what we see and when, and sightings (both current and past). If you have any additional questions, or would like to make a reservation, feel free to give us a call.

Hi dgirl31, If you know you are prone to motion sickness I recommend reserving a morning safari, the earlier the better. There is usually less wind in the morning and therefore smoother ocean conditions. Keep in mind sea sickness can vary greatly from person to person and other factors such as sea surface conditions as well as the type of boat will have an impact. Our boats are catamarans (twin hull) and many people find catamarans to be more stable. There are also several things you can do to help prevent sea sickness. Dramamine or Bonine are effective for many folks. Be sure to take it at least one hour in advance though. Pressure-point wrist bands are a natural remedy that work very well for a lot of people and they can even be used simultaneously with medication. And products containing Ginger can help calm the stomach. We sell these items at our Dolphin Deck, where you check in. If you start to feel sick during the trip please let one of the crew know. They’re happy to assist and will guide you to the best spot on the boat for lots of fresh air and a view of the stable horizon, which can be surprisingly effective.

Hi Ava. Thanks for inquiring about Capt. Dave's Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari! Our current prices for our daily 2 and 1/2-hour Signature Dolphin and Whale Safari aboard our catamaran sailboats ("Manute'a" is the primary vessel used for our daily trips) is $59.00 per adult and $39.00 per child, 2 - 12 years old. Our luxury power catamaran "Lily", which is only available on limited select dates, is $65.00 per person, regardless of age, for 2 and 1/2 hours. If you sign up for our Email Club Newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, you can receive notifications of special discounts and promotions. There is no "best" time to go dolphin and whale watching. We operate all year round from Dana Point Harbor and see whales throughout the year plus up to five different species of spectacular dolphins on a regular basis, including mega-pods that can number up to 10,000 dolphins. Our area has the largest concentration of dolphins and Blue Whales on earth. During the months between December through May we see Gray Whales on their migration between Alaska and the lagoons of Baja. In the months between May and November we see the largest known animal to ever have lived, the giant Blue Whale. We also see Fin Whales, Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, occasionally Killer Whales, and several other types of whales throughout the year. In 2014 we had rare sightings of Sperm Whales, Pilot Whales, and False Killer Whales! TripAdvisor doesn't allow us to put a link here, but you can see detailed information about our trips, prices, sightings, etc. on our website. There is no food or beverages sold on board our catamaran sailboats but you can purchase sandwiches, snacks, and drinks at our Dolphin Deck location when you check-in and take them on board with you. You may also bring items from home. There are no printed tickets necessary. When you make a reservation, either online or over the phone, we'll send you a confirmation via email. When you check-in on the day of your safari, we'll just need your names to check you in electronically. Please feel free to contact us directly if you have any additional questions. We'd love to have you join us for an absolutely unforgettable adventure!