The Dana Point Headlands are a key navigational point in the migration of gray whales between Alaska and Baja California and the community is again celebrating this weekend being the whale-watching capital.
Along with lots of opportunities to get on a charter boat to see the passing whales — though you can often spy them from the rocky outcroping of the headlands — the 54th annual Festival of Whales will feature three days of fun activities for families.
Members of the of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation, from left, Debra Cruze, Adelia Sandoval, and Mariah Doyle-Sandoval join members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the opening whale blessing on the beach behind the Ocean Institute on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Dana Point Surf Club head for the paddle out after the official whale blessing by members of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People sit on the rocks to watch the sunset welcoming ceremony by members of the local Acjachemen Nation, along with a Dana Point Surf Club paddle at the Marine Protected Area beach behind the Ocean Institute during the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Dana Point Surf Club, right, circle up during a paddle out on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Anabelle Simpson, 12, watches as members of the Dana Point Surf Club paddle out on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Dana Point Surf Club catch waves before the sun sets on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. Dana Point’s famous rock feature known as the “Indian Face,” can be seen to the right of the setting sun. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Guests attend the first day first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People attending the Welcoming of the Whales Kickoff Ceremony on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales enjoy drinks and a warm fire at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation, from left, Debra Cruze, Adelia Sandoval, and Mariah Doyle-Sandoval join members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the opening whale blessing on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A couple watches the sunset behind the Ocean Institute during the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. Dana Point’s famous rock feature known as the “Indian Face,” can be seen to the right of the setting sun. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Members of the Dana Point Surf Club head for the paddle out after the official whale blessing by members of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People gather to watch members of the of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation and members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the opening whale blessing on the beach behind the Ocean Institute on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Adelia Sandoval, right, of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation, blesses surfers with smoke from burning sage during the Welcoming of the Whales Kickoff Ceremony on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Members of the of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians of the Acjachemen Nation, from left, Debra Cruze, Adelia Sandoval, and Mariah Doyle-Sandoval join members of the Dana Point Surf Club for the opening whale blessing on the beach behind the Ocean Institute on the first day of the 54th annual Festival of Whales in Dana Point on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Still to come this weekend, there will be Wyland art sessions, marine conservation talks, classic cars and art shows, a treasure hunt, entertainment and more activities for kids and adults.
If you go
When: The carnival is 3 to 10 p.m. March 8 and 3 to 9 p.m. on March 9; activities go all day on March 8 and 9, see online for times
Where: Lantern Bay Park and around the Dana Point Harbor; using the free trolley and Harbor shuttle services are recommended for getting there, see more online
