Dana Point Travel Guides (Updated September 2026)

Captain and crew were great. We were fortunate and came across hundreds of common dolphins in a large pod. We also came across a shark. It was our fifth time with this company and have seen ocean creatures every time. Go have a great experience!

We had captain Matt, second captain Amanda, and marine biologist Andy. When we started sailing out I really didn’t know what to expect. I was hoping to see a couple of dolphins. And the boat just kept on going. After what seemed like forever, suddenly there was a pod of hundreds of dolphins. HUNDREDS! And they hung around and danced and jumped. Matt was able to maneuver the boat to keep us around. Then we saw a gigantic mola mola! Amanda even caught a super close up under water video of it. The trip was EPIC! As the cherry on top, we were handed this super yummy brownie made by Matt’s wife as we wrapped up the tour. My favorite experience, ever!

Loved the truly loving passion and authentic enthusiasm of the young lady naturalist on board--sorry I'm blanking on her name. She was extremely knowledgeable and really re-kindled my long dormant interest and curiosity about the lives of dolphins (at least since John Lilly's early bombshell work) as well as the uniqueness of the local the ocean waters uniquely associated with our waters. (One small fact-check I'd recommend to her--please check AI about the actual 10-14,000 mile migration of the grey whales (they do indeed come down from the arctic Alaskan area though there is indeed a small, unusual population--mostly males--that remain in the central to northern California area only.)

This company is so awesome first off. The customer service was top notch. The crew on the boat was the best. Our captain and first mate were both so incredible. Although we saw no whales, we saw hundreds of dolphins swimming by the boat with us. Even if we hadn’t seen a thing, the ride was beautiful and so fun. I’ll definitely do it again and highly recommend this company.

What an incredibly fun day! We had been advised the ocean conditions might be unfavorable and the ride a little bumpier on the zodiac, but we’re so glad we went. We appreciated the multiple emails we received offering us to reschedule based on the potential for unfavorable conditions. It was a bit bumpy going out but we felt entirely safe with Captain E and Amanda. They were super entertaining and knowledgeable. We saw a sunfish, flying fish, sea lions, and two pods of common dolphins and they rode along with us for a good while—and we even got to stand on the bow and watch them from directly above. Highly recommend—can’t wait to go out again when we visit the area again!

Sam was such a wonderful travel guide. Very knowledgeable about Dana Point, California, and the world. He shared so many unique historical facts and enlightened us with interesting facts about the nature and wildlife surrounding us. Sam was very personable and tailored the experience to highlight our interests and likes. The kayaking was very easy and our favorite part of the excursion. Sam provided water and transportation to our mini hike and shared pleasant conversation throughout. We would love to book with Sam again.

Such a great experience. The hosts were warm, funny, personable, and genuinely fun to talk to — it felt more like cooking with friends than taking a class. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was relaxed, and we had a fantastic time. Highly recommend!

Loved getting out in the water kayaking. Got to see sea lion swimming next to us. My guide, Sam, was friendly and knowledgeable about the area.

This was our family's first-ever whale watching experience and we really enjoyed it! The staff were friendly and made sure we were both educated and attentive to spotting aquatic life while on the boat. We saw one whale and it was great to "park" for awhile for multiple views. We then saw tons of dolphins jumping up and down and swimming, which was a lot of fun. We were well taken care of!

The Dana Point Wine Cruise was a lovely experience. Tasty wine, delicious cheese trays, good music, friendly staff and beautiful scenery. Will do this again!

If you're visiting Dana Point — or even if you live there — book a walking tour with Lezlie. Full stop. We came in as a couple looking for something a little different, and left with stunning photos, a much richer appreciation for the area, and a list of local gems we never would have found on our own. Lezlie's knowledge of Dana Point is impressive — she wove in the history of the legendary surf scene and even the surprising connection to the creator of SpongeBob SquarePants, which was a genuine delight we didn't see coming. Her eye for photography is exceptional. She found spots that showcased the most spectacular California scenery and framed shots of my wife and me that we'll genuinely treasure. What made it work wasn't just her technical skill — it's that she's warm and funny, so what could have felt staged or posed instead felt completely natural and spontaneous. We were laughing our way through most of it. Beyond the photos, she was a fountain of local knowledge: restaurant recommendations, the best coffee spots, hiking trails, kayaking — the kind of insider tips you'd only get from someone who truly loves where they live. Two hours flew by faster than we could believe, and by the end we could see there was still so much more of Dana Point to explore. We're already planning our next trip — and another tour with Lezlie is already on the itinerary. Absolutely worth every penny. Don't hesitate.

Just experienced an unforgettable walking tour through beautiful Dana Point! 🌊☀️Lezlie made the entire experience so engaging—sharing local history, hidden spots, and fun facts you’d never discover on your own. Every stop had something unique, from stunning coastal views to charming streets and scenic overlooks.One of the best parts? The guide took amazing photos along the way! 📸 It was so nice to be fully present and still come away with professional-quality pictures to remember the day.If you’re visiting Dana Point and want a relaxed, informative, and picture-perfect experience, I highly recommend booking a walking tour like this. Totally worth it!

Julian super knowledgeable about Dana point ecology and history; He is also easygoing and flexible about the tour. He can adjust based on folks mobility, fitness and curiosity!

A good amount of walking and stairs Tennis shoes suggested Wonderful outdoor activity and great introduction to the Dana Point area

The class really exceeded our high expectations. The experience was so fun and the food we made was so tasty with written step by step instructions at the end to remind how to do everything including making the delicious welcome cocktail. Our hosts were incredible. So personable and lovely. It was like joining friends for an afternoon of cooking and learning.

Our guide was fantastic! He was very committed to us having a wonderful time. He encouraged questions regarding all the sea creatures and plants that were visible during low tide. My daughter experienced being touched by a small octopus under the guide’s guidance. The guide was fascinated with our finds and enthusiastically explained what it was. He then gave an incredible performance in the cave. This adventure provides our family with joy when we recall the experience.