Ocean Institute vs Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
Two whale watching operators in Dana Point, California. Ocean Institute starts at $40 and Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching at $72.08. Here is how their options line up on length, group size, age rules and cancellation.
Ocean Institute
- Professional naturalists brief guests before boarding and stay aboard
- Possible hands-on activities such as sorting mud samples and viewing plankton under a microscope
- Dates listed for October to December 2026, mostly weekends
Whale and Marine Life Tour
- From
- $40 per person
- Length
- About 2.5 hours (9:30 am to 12:30 pm)
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
- Family-run since 1971; says it was Orange County's first whale watching company
- Marine naturalist aboard every trip
- 8 hour Ultimate Whale Watch (from $232.14) runs a few times a year
- Annual whale watching pass from $412.34
Whale & Dolphin Watching Tour
- From
- $72.08 per adult
- Length
- 2 hours
- Min age
- All ages
Private Whale Watching Charter
- From
- $550 per group
- Length
- 2 hours
- Group
- 4 to 149 guests
Both checked against the operators' own pages on 2026-10-21. See every operator in Dana Point, California.