Page 60 - San Luis Obispo Visitors Guide - Summer 2025

60 SUMMER 2025 slovisitorsguide.com
From whale watching to a Tiki cruise,
sail away with Lost Isle Adventures
Summer is here, and June through
August is the peak humpback
whale watching season. These giants
of the ocean are migrating north to
cooler waters from their southern
wintering grounds. Lost Isle Adven-
tures departs from Morro Bay daily
at 9:30 a.m. for two to three hours of
watching whales, dolphins, sea lions,
pelicans, cormorants, and other sea-
going wildlife.
Owner and captain, Dane
Jacobs, is a local who grew up on
the Central Coast. During his time
at Cal Poly, His earliest dreams were
of owning his own business. “After
studying the world's oceans through
the Semester at Sea program, I was
inspired to create a business that
would showcase the beauty of my
hometown and promote ocean
conservation,” he said.
“Lost Isle Adventures was born
out of a lifelong passion for the
ocean, boating, and marine life.
With a lifetime spent embracing the
waves and safeguarding beachgo-
ers as a former lifeguard, my bond
with the ocean runs deep. From my
earliest days, I harbored a dream of
owning a business on the water — a
dream now realized.”
Expect unique encounters
The whale watching tours are
seasonal aboard the Angler, a 50-
foot U.S. Coast Guard–inspected
vessel built for safe, rugged, ocean-
going adventures. The vessel offers
a stable, comfortable ride designed
to handle coastal waters with ease,
giving guests peace of mind while
enjoying incredible marine wildlife
experiences. With a heated interior,
a restroom, and a cocktail bar, it’s the
perfect combination of adventure
and relaxation.
relax while taking in Morro Rock,
the Three Stacks, and, of course, the
marine mammals, while enjoying a
1950s-style cocktail. The Tiki Boat
is a retro-inspired cruiser that’s
mostly enclosed and covered, offer-
ing protection from the wind. It’s
perfect for any time of year!
Short on time but still want
to see whales? The 90-Minute Go
Fast Adventure tour is perfect for
smaller groups or the time-pressed.
Jacobs says, it’s, “a thrilling, fast-
paced tour on the Falcon designed
for the adventurous or anyone who
just wants to go fast!” The Falcon
is a 24-foot speedboat originally
designed for the U.S. Navy. Built
for stability and performance, it’s
perfect for those looking for a
fast-paced, adventurous ride while
viewing marine wildlife both in the
harbor and offshore.
Private charters for special
adventures
Lost Isle Adventures also offers
private charters for groups who
want custom experiences, such as
wildlife photography or a sunset
Every trip is born
from a lifelong
passion for the
ocean
cruise. Summer is busy, and tours
book quickly. Jacobs recommends
booking one to two weeks ahead,
but he’ll always try to accommo-
date last-minute bookings. He’s
passionate about the Central Coast
and loves to share his knowledge
about local wildlife. His goal on
every tour is to treat everyone like
family and “to impart my profound
affection for the Central Coast to
every guest who crosses my path,
ensuring they leave with cherished
memories of this breathtaking
locale.”
Lost Isle Adventures is located at
845 Embarcadero, Suite D, in Morro
Bay. Tours can be booked online at
morrobaytikiboat.com or call to make
a reservation (805) 771-9337.
— Karen Lycan
What kind of encounters can
guests expect? Morro Bay is a work-
ing harbor surrounded by a state
marine reserve. Open ocean-bound
guests usually see otters, seals, and
seabirds. Once in the open water,
the curious humpback whales
often approach the boat and, at
times, circle for over an hour. In
past trips, large pods of Pacific
white-sided dolphins rode the bow
wake! According to Jacobs, “In the
summer and fall, visitors typi-
cally see humpback whales. Winter
and spring grey whales — they're
incredibly active, often breaching
and tail-slapping. We've also seen
blue whales, the largest animals
on earth, and even the occasional
fin whale. On some trips, we see a
few whales; on exceptional days,
we’ve had pods of up to 30 or more
around us at once! Every day on the
water is a little different, which is
what makes it so exciting.”
If going onto the open ocean
for up to three hours is too long of
a time commitment, there’s always
the 45-minute Tiki Cruise around
the Morro Bay Harbor. Sit back and
Morro Bay
Get up close and personal with whales on a Lost Isle Adventures tour.