WHALE-WATCHING TOURS IN ORANGE COUNTY

Newport Beach

Davey’s Locker: Tours aboard the 120-passenger Western Pride are offered daily at 1 p.m. The schedule will expand beginning Jan. 6, with weekday tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. and weekend tours at 9 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m. The 2 1/2-hour tours are narrated by a docent from the American Cetacean Society. Fare: $10 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under (paid child admissions include a ticket for a free fishing trip). Group rates available. The company offers “whale checks”: if no whales are spotted, passengers are given a free pass for another trip. Information: (714) 673-1434.

Catalina Holiday: Whale-watching tours on this 300-passenger boat leave the Balboa Pavilion at 10 a.m. each Monday through Thursday. The trips, narrated by a docent from the American Cetacean Society, are popular with school groups. Fare: $10 for adults, $6 for children. Group rates: $5 per person for schools, $8 per person for groups of 25 or more adults. A pre-trip lecture about whales is included. Whale checks offered. Information: (714) 675-9881.

Newport Landing Sportfishing: Narrated 2 1/2-hour tours aboard the 70-foot Nautilus and two smaller powerboats will be offered beginning Jan. 9. Times will be 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. on weekends, and 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. weekdays. Fare: $10 for adults, $6 for children (a special fare of $6 for seniors is offered on weekdays). Newport Landing is on Balboa Peninsula between Adams and Palm streets, near the Balboa Ferry. Whale checks. Information: (714) 675-0550.

Dana Point

Dana Wharf Sportfishing: Boats leave at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. every day for narrated tours. Fare: $9 for adults, $5 for children (a special fare of $5 for seniors is offered on weekdays). Whale checks. Information: (714) 496-5794.

Orange County Marine Institute: Beginning Jan. 9, Saturday morning excursions will be offered in conjunction with Dana Wharf Sportfishing: a marine biologist will give a half-hour lecture at the institute, then accompany whale-watchers as they head to sea. Fare: $10 for adults, $7 for children. Also, the institute will offer free educational activities as part of its annual whale festival on weekends from Feb. 20 to March 6. Information: (714) 831-3850.

Related activities

American Cetacean Society: The Orange County Chapter of the American Cetacean Society has a general meeting the fourth Thursday of each month at the Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Meetings are open to the public and feature talks by experts on whales and other cetaceans. Information: (714) 675-9881.