Fishing for whale watchers

Captain Dave Anderson uses binoculars to spot migrating whales, as tourists also keep watch aboard Anderson’s Dolphin and Whale Safari 35-foot catamaran off Dana Point. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

March 31, 2014 9:14 AM PT

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In Dana Point, a city well-known for whale watching, two companies doing business from docks only half a mile apart compete over nearly 12 square miles of wide open sea.

A gray whale reveals its fluke as it dives, providing a treat for whale watchers aboard Anderson’s catamaran. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

A pod of dolphins swims off the bow of Anderson’s catamaran. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Captain Jack Van Dyke educates his whale-watching customers about whale and dolphin behavior during a whale-watching cruise aboard Dana Pride, one of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching’s boats, off Dana Point. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Captain Todd Mansur, center, teaches students about the marine environment aboard a Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching boat. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Ann Nash of Oceanside points out a minke whale to her son, Raiden, 9, as Jeannie Folk watches through a camera in the background during a Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching outing. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)