Trip Summaries

March 12, 2020 
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Kinoshita Elementary/ Mrs. Van’s / 92 Students 

Today’s trip departed early. As the students arrived at 9:30 am we immediately boarded them to get them out of the light rain. Departing at 9:35. 

The weather was calm winds with light rain. At 9:51 we had our first whale sighting. This couldn’t have worked out better. In 90 feet of water just 1 mile north of Dana point we had 3 northbound Gray whales. It was hard to identify for certain but we think one of the three was a calf. 

The 3 whales made for an exciting show for the students as they came up to breathe and frequently showed their tail flukes before making a dive. We followed them at 4.4 knots until 10:40. 

At 10:45 we spotted a pod of offshore Bottlenose Dolphin. What an added extra to an already great trip. The Dolphins were traveling North up the coast at 5 knots in 100 fathoms of water 4 miles off Dana Point. There were approximately 45 animals in the pod. After watching them play next to the boat and surf our wake we decided to head back. 

11:20 Arrive back To Dana Point Harbor. 

Total sightings

• 3 Gray Whales
• 45 Bottlenose Dolphins

March 9, 2020 
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Malcom Elementary / Mrs. Jennifer Butterworths / 92 Students 

Today’s Trip Departed at 10:00 am with Cloudy Skies but light wind. 

As we departed we had our local Sea lions to start the trip as they rested in the marina. The students always get excited when they see the Sea Lions in the Marina. It’s a great way to get them looking out for other sightings. 

Dana Point Harbor has so much marine life that our students not only get a chance to see Sea Lions but also all the different Marine birds like Pelicans, Gulls, Cormorants, Snowy egrets and many others. 

Today’s trip on the water was Short on Gray whale sightings but full of excitement. At 10:45 after what seemed to be an endless search for a whale one of the crew spotted an enormous pod of Common Dolphin. 

At 11:00 we had entered a pod of at least 1200 Common Dolphin feeding on sardines as they swam down the coast. The animals were nearly 6 miles off Dana Point. They played all around the boat giving the students a very exciting show. We noticed several calves, which made it even more exciting for our students. 

At 11:35 we had to head back. Sadly there were no other sightings. 

Total sightings

• 1200 Common Dolphin 

February 28, 2020 
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Concordia Elementary/ Mrs. Lavene Forminko / 116 Students 

Today’s trip left a little late at 10:10 am. The weather conditions were great zero wind with some high clouds. As we motored out of the boat dock the students were already seeing animals. We have several California Sea lions in our marina. Seeing them as we leave has become a regular sighting and for our students, an exciting way to start their trip. 

At 10:35 one of the crewmembers sighted a pod of common dolphins. Not having heard of any other whales in the area the captain headed out towards them. It appeared that they were feeding while they slowly moved down the coast 4 miles off Dana Point. 

Common Dolphin is amazing as they usually show interest in the boat giving students a great unclose look. Today however was even more exciting as there were dozens of newborn calves with their mothers. Total it looked like at least 300 Dolphin in the pod. We followed until 11:00 then left to look for Gray whales. 

At 11:35 we had spotted 3 Gray whales, two adults, and one calf. What an amazing find. At first, the whales were heading down the coast but, after a few breathing cycles on the surfaced they started heading North. These animals should be heading north towards the feeding grounds this time of year. The Calf was probably getting in some playtime and may have redirected them for a short while. After getting a great look at these animals we headed back to the harbor. 

Total sightings

• 300 Common Dolphins 
• 3 Gray whales 

February 12, 2020
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Vista Del Mar / Mrs. Kris Hostetler / 94 Students

Today’s trip departed at 10:00 am clear skies and zero wind. A great day to go look for whales.

As we left the harbor the students were enjoying all the marine life that takes refuge in our marina. They saw several Sea Lions and many different marine birds.

As we headed out to sea in search of whales we received a call over the VHF radio informing us of a large pod of Common Dolphin 5 miles off Dana Point Harbor. Not knowing of any other animals in the area we headed towards the Dolphin.

At 10:42 we were now caught up with what appeared to be close to 1000 Common Dolphin feeding on sardines. This was amazing in itself, however; as we followed we notice that, as the dolphins weren’t alone. Feeding with these amazing dolphins was a 45-foot adult Humpback whale. The students couldn’t believe what they were seeing thousands of Dolphins with an enormous Humpback whale. We had several close looks at all of these animals and at 11:10 we started heading in.

At 11:32 we were almost in the harbor when to our surprise was a southbound juvenile Gray whale in 40- feet of water just below the harbor entrance. We had very little time but were able to get some good looks at this whale as it took several breaths on the surface.

Total sightings

• 1000 Common Dolphin
• 1 Humpback Whale
• 1 Gray Whale

February 5, 2020
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Vista Del Mar Elementary / Mrs. Kris Hostetler / 92 students

Today’s Trip departed at 10:00 am with calm seas and overcast skies.
On the way out of the harbor, there were several California Sea Lions swimming and resting near the bait dock located close to the middle of the harbor. The students also noticed several different Marine birds, Gulls, Pelicans and Cormorants.

At 10:25 the Captain sighted 1 South Bound adult Gray Whale.
The Whale was in 120 feet of water 1.5 miles North of Dana Point.
Its behaviors were normal for a traveling Gray Whale. It would surface every 3 to 4 minutes and take 3 deep breaths giving the students a great opportunity to see this animal as it made its way down our coast to its mating and nursing grounds of the Baja Lagoons.

At 11:15 we decided to leave and search for others however, there were no others to be found at 11:40 we started to head back.

Total sightings

• 1 Gray Whale

Trip 10

May 24, 2019
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Ambuehl Elementary / 88 students
Departure 10:00 am

Weather calm and sunny

As we Headed out we already heard talk on the ships radio that there were dolphins about 6 miles out. This meant we had to drive strait there in order to be able to have time with them.

At 10:30 we we’re among over 1000 Common Dolphins a huge pod a super pod. As we watched and followed this amazing pod of Dolphins they we’re very playful with the boat constantly swimming under the bow of the boat as we moved along.

At 11:05 while still following the dolphins we thought we saw a whale come up. We looked in the area for over 20 minutes. Assuming it was a Minke whale a very small baleen whale that sometimes eludes boats we headed off back to the harbor.

Total sightings

• 1000 Common Dolphins
• 1 Minke Whale

Trip 9

April 24, 2019
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Estancia Elementary / 75 students
Departure 10:00 am

Weather calm sunny

At 10:15 arrive at Dana Point navigation buoy to look at Sea Lions hauled out on the buoy warming themselves.

As we left the Sea Lions we got a call on the radio from another boat that they had a pod of Common Dolphins about 3 miles out. With high hopes of also finding a whale we headed out towards the dolphins.

At 10:35 we found the pod of approximately 200 Common Dolphins feeding and playing with the boat. Hoping to find a whale at 11:00 we left the dolphins in search.

At 11:30 with no luck finding a whale we had to head back.

Total sightings

• 200 Common Dolphins

Trip 8

April 22, 2019
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Marion Bergeson Elementary / 118 students
Depart 9:45 am

Weather calm and sunny

As we headed out we decided to just go south. There hadn’t been many Whales sighted in the past few days so we we’re hoping to at least find Dolphins.

At 9:55 we sighted a pod of Common Dolphin approximately 100 in 60 feet of water feeding and playing with the boat.

At 10:10 we spotted a small pod of Whiteside Dolphins approximately 15 feeding close to the commons we we’re following so we headed over to take a look.

At 10:30 we spotted a very small northbound juvenile Gray Whale. It was so hard to see as it barely broke the surface to breath. Knowing the students wouldn’t be able to see it we left in search of other mammals.

At 11:00 one of the teachers asked if we could go in.

Total sightings

• 1 Gray whale
• 100 Common Dolphins
• 15 White sided Dolphin

Trip 7

April 19, 2019
By Todd Mansur Captain /Marine Naturalist

Kinoshita Elementary / 107 students
Departure 10:00 am

Weather 7 knots of SE wind and clouds

As we headed out we decided to head to a close navigation buoy where we knew there would be Sea Lions hauled out warming themselves.

At 10:15 we headed south hoping to find Whales or Dolphins. There had been no reports that day so we hoped to get lucky.

It seemed like we were never going to find any mammals when suddenly at 11:10 we spotted a pod of common dolphins 5 miles South of Dana Point harbor. Approximately 100 Common Dolphins traveling up the coast in 600 feet of water. they played with the boat and put on a great show. However this would be our only sighting at 11:30 we had to head back.

Total sightings

• 100 Common Dolphins

Trip 6

April 11,2019

By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Concordia Elementary / 90 students
Departure 10:00 am

Weather calm party sunny

As we left the harbor the students we’re enjoying the Sea Lions that we’re swimming next to the bait dock.

As we headed out there we’re boats talking on the radio about Dolphins 3 miles out so we headed that way.

At 10:20 we had joined up with approximately 200 Common Dolphins. We watched as they chased down fish to eat and played with the boat. At 10:50 we left to search for other mammals.

It took almost the entire trip to find a Gray whale. We actually spotted our only Gray whale just as we we’re heading into the harbor.

It was in 36 feet of water and we we’re able to get a coulee quick looks before heading in but it’s was to unpredictable to get photos of.

Total sightings

• 1 Gray Whale
• 200 Common Dolphins

Trip 5

April 8, 2019

By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Marion Bergeson Elementary / 104 students
Departure 10:05 am

Weather was calm with clouds.

At 10:15 we stopped 1 mile off Dana point at the navigation buoy to look at Sea Lions hauls out warming up.

As we looked at Sea Lions we saw splashes off in the distance. Knowing they would be Dolphins we headed out.

At 10:30 we we’re following approximately 150 Common Dolphins 2 miles off Dana Point.

They we’re feeding and playing giving the students a great show.

At 10:45 a boat called us on the radio and said they had seen a spout near us.

It turned out to be an 85-foot Blue Whale the first sighted in 2019 off Dana Point.

What an exciting show as it came up to breath then show us its enormous tail flukes.

At 11:45 we had to head home.

Total sightings

• 1 Blue Whale
• 150 common Dolphin

Trip 4

March 27, 2019

By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Del Obispo Elementary / 72 Students
Departure 9:30 am

Weather Cloudy / Calm

At 9:50 we spotted a small pod of Common Dolphins feeding off Dana Point spread out to Salt

Creek. They we’re feeding but took time to play with the boat approximately 100 Commons.

At 10:15 we left to search for other mammals.

At 10:30 we briefly stopped at the Dana Point Navigation buoy to look at Sea Lions hauled out warming themselves up. We didn’t stay long as we spotted a whale spout 1 mile up the coast from us.

At 10:50 we caught up with 2 north bound Gray whales in 150 feet of water. The Whales shoed great taking breaths every 5 minutes and showing their large tail flukes before diving

At 11:30 we headed home.

Total sightings

• 2 Gray Whales
• 100 Common Dolphins

Trip 3

March 20, 2019
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

San Juan Elementary/ 72 students
Departure 10:00 am

Weather rain and clouds with light winds

At 10:05 right outside the harbor we spotted a juvenile Gray Whale heading north.

The Whale was in 40 feet of water and stayed down for 10 minutes before coming up to breathe.

Thinking we would find others at 10:25 we left.

At 10:35 we spotted a pod of Common Dolphins feeding in 60 feet of water 2 miles south of Dana Point. We saw approximately 50 Dolphins in the pod. They played well with the boat.

At 10:55 we left to search for other mammals.

At 11:25 we finally spotted another Gray Whale. This whale was heading South late for the time of year. The whale showed its tail flukes before diving unfortunately we we’re only able to see it a couple of times and had to start heading home.

Total sightings

• 2 Gray whales
• 50 Common Dolphins

Trip 2

March 19, 2019
By Todd Mansur Captain / Marine Naturalist

Laguna Niguel Elementary/ 90 students
Departure 10:00 am

Weather Cloudy with 5 knots of SE wind

At 10:19 we spotted an amazing pod of 6 North bound Gray Whales.

They were heading North in 180 feet of water 2 miles off Dana Point and taking several breaths showing their tail flukes every 3 minutes.

The Whales put on such a great show that we stayed with them for almost 45 minutes.

At 11:05 we left to search for other mammals.

At 11:20 we spotted a pod of approximately 500 Common Dolphins.

They where feeding in 600 feet of water 3 miles off Dana Point.

At 11:36 we headed back

Total sightings

• 6 Gray Whales
• 500 Common Dolphins

Trip 1

March 18, 2019
By Todd Mansur Captain/ Marine Naturalist

San Juan Elementary / 58 students
Departure 10:00 am

Weather calm.

As the students departed Dana Point Harbor they immediately had marine mammal sightings with several Sea Lions swimming in the harbor.

At 10:10 the students had their first Whale sighting.

A small juvenile Gray whale in 40 feet of water heading north and was very shy of boats and hard to see. Our decision was to look for others.

At 10:22 we spotted another North bound Gray whale. It was 3miles North West of Dana point in 150 feet of water. The whale showed on the surface every 4minutes and took several breaths.

At 10:41 we noticed a small pod of Common Dolphins and decided to Leave the Gray whale and follow. It was a pod of approximately 30 Common Dolphin that played well with the boat.

At 10:58 we spotted two more North bound Gray whales that were about to join up with two more very close by. This was now a pod of four whales just off Dana Point.

At 11:15 we spotted more Common Dolphin near the whales feedi

At 11:30 We spotted Two more North bound Gray whales in 90 feet of water off Dana Point.

As we watched a small pod of Whiteside Dolphins Showed up swimming down the coast so we followed them back to the harbor.

At 11:53 we entered the harbor and saw three inshore Bottlenose Dolphins.

Total sightings

• 8 Gray whales
• 60 Common Dolphins
• 10 Whiteside Dolphins
• 3 Bottlenose Dolphins