I took my 4 year old daughter on her first whale watching trip because it was her dream to see dolphins and thanks to captain Marie for making that dream come true! The catamaran we were on was full but not crowded at all. My daughter was still able to get around to see the wildlife. Special shoutout to Hannah for catching my daughter and safely carrying her to the front of the catamaran so she could experience the spray of the water and see the dolphins up close. Hannah was extremely informative about all the marine life we encountered. Of course my daughter loved hearing about stinky minke whales. The underwater viewing pods make for such a magical experience. I cannot recommend Capt. Dave’s enough!
Seriously one of the most magical experiences I have ever embarked on! It was as if the whole ocean came out to say hello, I was able to see dolphins as far as the eye could see and the holy trinity of whales (minke , fin , and humpbacks). The greatest pleasure beyond the ocean wonders was daelyn! what a wonderful photographer she is and what a beautiful personality she has. I am convinced her divinity called upon the ocean to greet us.
Overall the trip was worth the money. They did well with what was in their control. While we saw no whales, we saw common dolphin and the trip went well. Easy transactions via mobile, ease of check in , competent and safe travel, a lot of room on the catamaran. We had Captain Marie. It was time well spent in nature. That is a win any day.
Worth the Stop. Worth Going Back… But for a Different Cruise.
While spending Father’s Day in Southern California, we decided to take one of Captain Dave’s general marina cruises rather than one of their famous whale-watching excursions.
Somewhere in the middle of the afternoon, surrounded by a boat full of people, food, drinks, and enough activity to qualify as a floating social event, I realized there is probably a Gilligan’s Island joke buried in this story somewhere.
Overall, we had a great time.
The hospitality was excellent from the moment we stepped aboard. The crew was friendly, professional, and clearly knew what they were doing. Captain Gary and First Mate Tom did a fantastic job throughout the trip, keeping everything moving smoothly while making guests feel welcome and comfortable.
The real standout, however, was Michelle at the bar. She handled a constant stream of customers with a smile and somehow managed to keep things moving despite the crowd. Anyone who has ever worked hospitality knows that isn’t as easy as it looks.
The food was surprisingly good, and there was plenty of it. My boys certainly put that theory to the test and were welcomed back for additional trips through the line without anyone batting an eye. The drinks were good, the atmosphere was fun, and the overall experience felt very much like a celebration on the water.
My only hesitation comes from the nature of this specific cruise.
At times, it felt a little crowded. Between people moving around, grabbing food, visiting the bar, finding places to sit, and simply enjoying the event, there were moments when it felt more like a floating party than a sightseeing cruise. That’s not necessarily a criticism—it simply wasn’t quite what I expected.
The interesting thing is that none of that would keep me from booking with Captain Dave’s again.
In fact, quite the opposite.
The professionalism of the crew, the quality of the operation, and the hospitality we experienced left me wanting to come back and try one of their whale-watching tours. If this is how they handle a busy holiday cruise, I suspect their signature excursions are probably excellent.
So would I recommend this Father’s Day marina cruise?
Absolutely.
Would I do this specific cruise again?
Probably not.
Would I book with Captain Dave’s again?
Without hesitation.
Next time, though, I’m going looking for whales.
Worth the Stop. Worth Going Back… But for a Different Cruise.
This has been the third time I booked with Captain Dave. The first two trips were on the big boat and third on the zodiac boat. I think I’ll always book on the zodiac boat as you are right next to the wildlife. Captain Gary and first mate Andy (who is also a captain) made the trip great. They both made sure we got to see a whale as it was obviously very important to them that we did. I’ve never gone and not seen a whale. The dolphins put on quite a show for us today numbering over 300. I loved that both Andy and Gary were certified naturalists and could answer any questions we had about the ocean wildlife.
BBecJul 2026 · Google
★★★★★Captain Elier and his co captain with 26 years of experience were both very knowledgeable and made experience worth every penny. They treated us like family as we cruised alongside a pod of dolphins! Thank you Captain Dave’s for such an amazing and unforgettable memory.
Organized and personal. Boat was clean and comfortable. My six year old was with me and he loved the trip. I will definitely be taking another trip with them. Recommend Capt. Dave’s to anyone
Excellent tour in Dana Point! Our friends took us on a mid afternoon tour and it was amazing! The entire staff made the experience unforgettable! We absolutely loved the underwater viewing pods! A must see if youre visiting. Kudos to Captain Marie, First Mate Mike, Hannah & Andy