The Golden State is packed with natural wonders, from rugged mountains and desert landscapes to dramatic beaches and abundant wildlife. Its Pacific waters are just as rich, home to an impressive variety of whales, dolphins, sea lions and other marine life, particularly along the Southern California coast.
One of the best ways to experience that coastal wildlife is aboard this cruise. Just about 30 minutes from L.A., this Newport Beach whale and dolphin cruise takes passengers offshore aboard a 65-foot vessel for the chance to see enormous pods of dolphins, including superpods that can number more than 1,000 animals, as well as massive blue whales.
A dolphin-filled cruise along the Orange County coast
Departing from Newport Beach, this two-hour cruise sweeps along the Orange County coastline toward Laguna Beach, offering front-row seats to one of the richest marine habitats in the country. An onboard naturalist guides the journey, helping you scan the horizon while sharing insights into the local ecosystem.
While seasonal giants like blue whales (May–October) and migrating grays (December–May) regularly steal headlines, the true stars of the show are often the dolphins. These waters are a haven for more than half a dozen species, including Risso’s and coastal bottlenose dolphins.
11 September 2026 09:00 + more dates
Most spectacular of all are the common dolphins, which frequently gather in massive pods of hundreds (or even breathtaking “superpods” exceeding a thousand individuals!), turning the ocean into an energetic, leaping spectacle.
Alongside the potential to spot finback, minke, or humpback whales, harbor seals, sea lions, and sharks, every outing remains unpredictable.
The spacious 65-foot vessel provides ideal viewing angles whether you’re watching a solitary blue whale surface in the distance or finding yourself surrounded by a seemingly endless stream of dolphins racing alongside the bow.
