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Activity #1275 |
Catamaran Adventure Cruises |
What kind of whales have been recently sighted?
11/16/09 - We are still seeing Blue Whales and anticipating the first Gray Whale of the Gray Whale Migration any day now! We saw 371 Gray Whales last year! Here are some recent sightings of ours:
11/15 - Large Pods of White Sided, Common and Bottlenose Dolphin ///
11/14 - Large Pods of Bottlenose, Risso's and White Sided Dolphin ///
11/13 - Large Pods of Risso's Dolphin ///
11/12 - Large Pods of Common Dolphin ///
11/11 - 2 Blue Whales ///
Total Whale Sightings for the Blue Whale Season (May - October): 6 Humpback Whales, 32 Fin Whales, 291 Blue Whales, 9 Minke Whales, 2 Gray Whales, 1 Hammerhead Shark
---------------------QUESTIONS ABOUT TICKETS/POLICIES--------------------
Advance purchase is strongly recommended, and trips often sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the day and time you prefer, please buy your tickets well in advance. Tickets can only be purchased with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express.
What happens if it rains?
We do run in light rain, but if it becomes extremely windy we might have to cancel the trip for safety reasons. If the trip has already left the dock and conditions become unsafe, we will issue a "whale check" that will allow you to come back another time for another one of our whale watching cruises!
Are children allowed?
Yes! We have no age limit for our whale watching cruises. Everyone is welcome, and our boats are very safe with high rails. Children under two years of age are free of charge, but require a ticket because our boats can only hold up to a certain amount of people and we cannot exceed that number even for toddlers or infants.
Is this cruise suitable for pregnant women?
While we don't put a limitation on who may or may not attend, pregnant women should always consult with their doctors before participating in any active activities.
If this trip is sold out can I get on a waiting list?
Unfortunately we do not have waiting lists for our trips. If the date and time you want is sold out, please choose another date and time from the schedule for this activity.
How early should I arrive to check in before the trip?
Please arrive no later than 20 minutes before the cruise departs.
-------------------QUESTIONS ABOUT WHALE WATCHING----------------------
While we can’t guarantee a whale sighting every trip, our experience has allowed us to maintain an unsurpassed record for success in the Dana Point area!
When is whale watch season?
It's always whale watch season at Dana Wharf! Grey whale season officially begins on November 28th. The OCean Adventure runs affordable 2 hour cruises, with special 4 hour Grey Whale watching trips during the Festival of Whales (March 7 - March 15 on the weekend)!
What is the best time of the day to see whales?
Whales migrate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is no "best" time to see whales, but the weather on the water tends to be calmer in the morning.
How close do we get to the whales?
The Marine Mammal Protection Act requires that we stay 100 yards away from the whales, but some may swim right up to the boat! Dolphins usually come very close, but we do not touch, swim with, or feed the wildlife.
How far does the boat go out?
Grey whales are coastal navigators, so usually we travel about a mile offshore. The same is generally true for Blue whales. The boat does have the range of up to 7 miles if needed.
---------------------QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR LOCATION--------------------
Where exactly is Dana Wharf located within Orange County?
Hopefully these landmarks will help you to find us better: Dana Wharf is located 40 minutes south of Disneyland in Anaheim, 1 hour south of LAX airport in Los Angeles, and 60 minutes north of Sea World in San Diego. We are basically in the heart of Orange County!
--------------------------QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BOAT--------------------------
While the OCean Adventure's dual-hull catamaran construction makes it very safe and stable, we will be in the ocean. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, you might want to consider taking preventative measures beforehand.
Are there restrooms on board?
Yes, there is a clean marine head on board.
Is there shade on the boat?
Yes! Indoor seating and awnings are available. If you plan on staying outside to have a better view of the whales, please dress appropriately with a hat, sunglasses, and/or sunscreen.
Is the boat safe?
Absolutely. In addition to modern safety equipment (EPIRB, Life Floats, Life Jackets, etc.) the OCean Adventure is constantly maintained and inspected once a year by the United States Coast Guard, a Division of Homeland Security.
Is the boat wheelchair accessible?
If you would like to come whale watching with us in a wheelchair, please "contact this seller" and we will make arrangements to accommodate you.
Are there life jackets on board? Do I have to wear one?
We do have life jackets on board, but it is not required for any passenger to wear one during the cruise.
Will there be room on the boat to stow my belongings?
There is limited room to stow your belongings on board. Please only bring what is absolutely necessary for the trip.
Can I smoke on the boat?
Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas.
-----------------------------WHAT SHOULD I BRING-------------------------------
No personal food or drinks are allowed on board, except in the case of special dietary needs. Alcohol may not be brought on board. Food and drinks, including alcohol, are available for purchase on the boat. Please keep in mind that 4-hour Festival of Whales trips have a deli style lunch included, consisting of a sandwich, chips and soda.
What kinds of food and beverages are available for sale in the deli-style galley?
The OCean Adventure offers a variety of cold deli sandwiches (ham, turkey, etc), as well as chips, candy, soda, water, and a full bar at the on-board galley. 4-hour Grey Whale trips have a deli style lunch included, consisting of a sandwich, chips and soda.
What exactly is included in the lunch on the 4 hour trips?
Deli style sandwich choices include turkey, ham or vegetarian. Chips are included, as well as an assortment of sodas and juices.
How much money should I bring?
While no money is required from you on board, you may want to bring cash or credit for galley items and/or souvenirs (about $20).
How much should I tip the crew if any?
There is no gratuity required, but a recommended amount would between $2-$5 per person. The crew works hard to make your trip enjoyable!
Can I bring an ice chest?
No ice chests or coolers are allowed on board. We will make exceptions for special diets, however.
-------------------PRIVATE CHARTERS AND GIFT CERTIFICATES------------
Yes, all boats are available for private charters. Please "Contact this Seller" for more information.
Are gift certificates available for this trip?
No, unfortunately there are no gift certificates available specifically for this trip. There are, however, gift certificates available for the 2 hour whale watching trips (both Gray Whale Season and Blue Whale Season), ½ Day/Twilight Fishing Trips, and ¾ Day Fishing Trips, and they make a perfect gift for holidays, birthdays or any other occasion! To purchase a gift certificate for any of these Dana Wharf trips, please check out these other activities by clicking on the “About the seller” link on the left-hand side of this page. You also have the option of purchasing a gift card for a specific dollar amount, good for any activity, though you would need to visit the shop located at Dana Wharf in person to purchase one. Please click on the “Contact this seller” link for more information on this option.
