A long time ago, I got a LivingSocial deal to a whale-watching trip out of Davey’s Locker in Newport Beach. I had such a great experience that I have been buying tickets to all of their other trips, like the sunset cruise and the Christmas Balboa parade of lights, ever since!

The sunset cruise is a blast. It lasts over 2 hours, and you head out before sunset so you are in the middle of the ocean once it happens. This is NOT for people who get seasick! These trips usually happen in the summer, so you are coming back while it’s still light outside, but the lights on the Balboa Fun Zone ferris wheel are turning on. Dusk is such a perfect time of day anywhere, and especially in Orange County.


The whale watching cruise is another winner. Even if you don’t see whales (I didn’t), the chances are high that you’ll see dolphins, sea lions, seals or other aquatic wildlife. One time a school of dolphins followed us and tried to communicate with us! They turned the boat off so we could listen to their clicking sounds. Once we were moving again, the dolphins used their echolocation skills to follow us. They wanted to be friends! So so so cute.

You’ll often usually pass a buoy or too that is piled high to the sky with fat seals. Hold your nose – you can smell them from like a mile away.

The best part about these cruises is that they come with free drink tickets! The drink tickets are only good on boxed wine, cheap domestic beer and well drinks, but hey a free drink is a free drink. There are also better options available for a fee. And listen carefully – oftentimes the ship’s captain will come on the loudspeaker and announce a “limited-time drink special” like half off drinks, and the line to the bar will immediately fill up.

What is better than cruising out in the ocean, seeing wildlife, getting some sun and watching the sunset with a drink in your hand? Not much. Check out www.daveyslocker.com to look at upcoming cruises, and don’t forget to keep an eye on LivingSocial for a great deal.

Disclosure: This post is not associated with Davey’s Locker or LivingSocial in any way. I received no compensation for this post.

