Iconic Bottlenose Dolphin 'Patches' Makes Appearance In Dana Point

DANA POINT, CA — Orange County's beloved bottlenose dolphin was spotted this week during a Dana Wharf Whale Watch ride off the coast of Dana Point.

"Patches," as the community has come to call him due to the unique discolorations on his skin, coasted through the waters with a massive pod of dolphins.

Patches and his pod were spotted by Captain Steve just off the Dana Point Headlands. As the tour boat approached the pod, the dolphins breached several at a time and launched themselves high into the air.

Soon after spotting Patches, tourists aboard the boat found another pod of several hundred common dolphin.

"During this encounter, they turned toward the coast and started a stampede," Laura Lopez of Dana Wharf Whale Watch posted on Facebook. "Such a great way to end our day."

For more information on scheduling a tour with Dana Wharf Whale Watch, visit their website.