| Rating |
Date Attended [v] |
Reviewer |
Gender |
Age |
Where From? |
Group Type? |
 |
No Whales no dolphins |
| |
Sun, May 4 5:00 PM |
HenrySchill |
Male |
50-59 |
International Tourist(s) |
Individual |
| |
The boat was old, hardly any passangers.
Only found out there that the whale watching season was over.
Website of whale watching company is misleading.
Captain did not say anything that he will making an effort to spot whales, in contrast with another whalewatching experience from Monterey Bay last year.
There the captain and staff was zigzagging the area for us, and made an honest effort that we get our money's worth.
No whales there either, but at least we knew that everything was done what humanly possible.
It would have been much better to buy the ticket on site, that way I could have used the local coupons for discounts.
Since I preapid the tour, that option was lost.
Overall the experience was very negative. Cannot recommend it to anybody.
Received $10.00 discount for future trips, which I will not use, since I am a tourist from Canada, and will not come back to this area anytime soon. |
 |
Amazing |
| |
Tue, Apr 29 12:00 PM |
RobinSmith |
Female |
30-39 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| |
I took my elderly Aunt on the two hour whate watching trip and had a great time. I went aboard thinking I would probably see one dolphin being it was at the end of whale season, but immediately we spotted some seals. An hour into our journey we got notice there was a pod of dolphins up ahead and we headed right towards them. Soon we spotted the dolphins and the sight was amazing because this was a whole heard of dolphins and we were right in the middle of them. The dolphins were all around us as far as the eye could see in every direction. Though we never saw a whale the trip was worth every penny and I would highly reccommend the adventure. The captian and staff on the vessel were very informative telling us all about these dolphins. It was clear they were just as amazed as the passengers saying they have never encountered so many dolphins in all the years they have been doin this trip. It was estimated there were at least 7 thousand dolphins. I took video and am going to put it on youtube. search Dana Point Dolphins on youtube and you can view the footage. |
 |
Fun cruise of Dana Point Harbor |
| |
Mon, Apr 28 10:00 AM |
lasjacks |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| |
Even though we took our trip in late April and no whales were to be found, we enjoyed our 2 hour trip. The 2 man crew was friendly and pointed out a pod of dolphin and brought our boat to the middle of them so we could enjoy their antics close at hand. It was breathtaking to observe the dolphin in their natural environment, enjoying themselves. We ventured out a little further along the coast to try and spot any whales, but no luck. On the way back to shore we passed harbor seals sunning themselves on a bobbing buoy. Very affordable good time for anyone that might only have a short time in the area. |
|
A little disappointing |
| |
Sat, Apr 26 12:00 PM |
Kalimada |
Female |
70+ |
International Tourist(s) |
Family Without Children |
| |
Done this cruise many times and have always had a great time. This time the boat was small with no upper seating this ment we had to sit down below (which we did not want to do) or stand for 2 hours. Although we are in our 80's we are very active but standing in a moving boat for 2hrs is not pleasurable. We will think twice before doing it again |
|
It will be excellent short day trip for anyone |
| |
Fri, Apr 25 12:00 PM |
jeansookim |
Female |
50-59 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Group of Friends |
| |
Specially in California, nice sunny day on the oceanside will never forget.
All the services by Zerve well scheduled on time and the narrator on the boat
was excellent too. We had very good time and had fun.
I will recommand if you stay one night in the resort by the sea that added great value for our trip. Thank you Zerve!!! |
|
Great Trip!!!! |
| |
Wed, Apr 23 12:00 PM |
MarlenMoore |
Female |
60-69 |
Local |
Couple on a Date |
| |
We did not see any whales, but the boat trip was well worth every dollar! Did see Sealoins & a huge pod of Dolphins!
The crew were great & helpful, they every effort to make the trip worth while.
We will return for another trip!
We also appreciate the discount on Tuesday/Wednesdays.
Thanks for a beautiful day at sea!! |
 |
Not too satisfied |
| |
Tue, Apr 22 2:00 PM |
bethplatt |
Female |
50-59 |
Unspecified |
Unspecified |
| |
The trip was supposed to be a 2 hour trip. The boat was late coming in because the group before us found dolphins. That was understandable. But as a result, we were only out for 1 1/2 hours instead of 2. And we didn't get to see whales or dolphins! I understand that these things are unpredictable, but it would have been nice to get the full 2 hour opportunity to find these marine mammals!
The boat could have used a few more places to sit comfortably. I was with my 80 year old aunt and she was a little uncomfortable.
It was a beautiful day and the boat was really steady. |
|
A nice boat ride. |
| |
Tue, Apr 22 10:00 AM |
sunic0 |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Family Without Children |
| |
We went on a whale watching boat. We saw sea lions. No whales. We left on time and returned on time. Food and drinks may be purchased on the boat. Bring small money.
We did not see any whales. We were given a free ticket for the whale watching boat to be used at a later time. |
|
Enthusiastically Recommended |
| |
Tue, Apr 22 10:00 AM |
MakeItHappen |
Female |
50-59 |
Local |
Individual |
| |
Even though we didn't see any whales or dolphins on the morning that I went, it was a beautiful and relaxing day out on the water. I met a lot of nice people. At the end of the cruise, we all got a ticket to come back again, since we didn't see any whales. I would go again whether I saw any or not.
Having owned a boat before when I lived out here, I do know that you can see dolphins and whales and sea lions during certain times of the year. We almost always saw dolphins on our way to Catalina. They used to play in the wake our our boat. They are such a joy to see when they are around, but it's not something you can predict, only hope for. Either way, whether you see them or not, you will enjoy being out on the water for a relaxing day trip. I would go out every day if I had the time.
I will be back again soon! Just be sure to bring your camera's or video cam's. |
|
Great way to enjoy a Sunday Afternoon! |
| |
Sun, Apr 20 2:00 PM |
naysay007 |
Female |
40-49 |
Domestic Tourist(s) |
Group of Friends |
| |
Our 2pm Sunday cruise provided our first visit to Dana Point Harbor. We enjoyed the live music performed in the courtyard, courtesy of the Harbor Music Series. There were several restaurants and snack shops. While waiting at the dock for our boat to arrive, we watched kayakers and enjoyed the sea lions as they basked in the sun with flippers pointed upward. The boarding and launch for this cruise was quick and our crew was very excited to inform us that a pod of fin whales had been active for most of the day. Our boat speeds out and after forty minutes, the crew points out the whale spouts as we slow down and approach the area. There are three whales and we're able to view their dorsal fins and watch them blow out spouts of water into the air. There is no breaching or tale slapping behavior. One whale actually glides under the starboard area of our boat. Our boat is the only one out there and we're able to move 360 degrees around the deck. Our boat keeps stride with the whales and the crew helps point out where the whales will surface. Our crew is located up above the passenger level. Several passengers ask the crew to take photographs of their group from this upper level. The crew is very friendly and very obliging. Prior to our return to the harbor, a commercial sailboat arrives with a dozen tourists. Their adventure looks fun until one realizes that their viewing area is limited to the back of their boat and their view of the whales was often blocked by the boat itself. We heard a lot of disappointed moaning from their direction. |
