Activities

10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Ocean Institute
Ocean Institute staff and volunteers stand ready to guide visitors through a wide range of experiences, from our horn shark touch tank, intertidal touch tanks, and much more.

Saturday & Sunday
Doheny State Beach
This stunning, life-size display features paintings of the majestic whales that migrate past our shores, offering visitors a unique opportunity to walk alongside these ocean giants. The Whale Walk stretches along the asphalt promenade, nestled between the park’s green lawn and the sandy shoreline, extending from the lifeguard headquarters tower to the Dana Point Harbor breakwater.

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Island Way
Festival of Whales attendees are in for a whale-sized surprise this year with the arrival of Winston the Whale, a 56-foot-long, anatomically correct inflatable whale. This life-sized exhibit offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the fascinating world of marine mammals up close.

Submissions Due March 2
The magical migration of the California Gray Whale is the theme for this art contest. To enter take a photo of your creative drawing or painting and email recreation@danapoint.org by March 3, 2025. Please include the child’s name and age on the entry. The winning submission will receive an ocean-themed gift basket and a whale-watching trip for a family of four. Open to children up to 12 years of age.

Friday, March 6, 4:30 – 7:00 PM at Ocean Institute
Saturday, March 7, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM in Dana Wharf
Sunday, March 8, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM on Baby Beach
Shop official Festival of Whales commemorative merchandise at select locations throughout the harbor, including the Wharf area on Saturday and Baby Beach on Sunday. Limited quantities available—grab yours while supplies last.