A larger than normal pod of about eight fin whales was spotted off the shores of Laguna Beach for the past two days, giving spectators a rare treat.

Dave Anderson, who runs Cpt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari, said it’s the largest pod of finback whales – spotted Tuesday and today – he’s heard of in 14 years of running charters.
The rare sighting of the second largest whales on earth delighted passengers who got to watch the whales breeching and following along the bow of the boat, much like dolphins do.

“We were all in shock, that many of us missed camera opportunities — it was hard to resist just watching with your jaw dropped, and your mouth wide open,” passenger DJ Duronslet wrote in an e-mail after Tuesday’s sighting. “At times, we were surrounded. Literally, there were whales all around us.”

CLICK HERE or on the image below (courtesy of Wade Ratzlaff) to view a video taken by Duronslet during Tuesday’s trip.

Passengers on the trip laughed after being sprayed with mist spouting out of the blow holes, which the kids on the boat called “whale snot.” 

“That’s how close they were. We could hear the inhale, as well as the exhale,” Duronslet wrote.
Anderson said the trip on Tuesday was extended for an hour so passengers could enjoy the experience.
James Ragsdale, an employee at Davey’s Locker in Newport Beach, said his whale watching charter saw about a dozen of the whales together. 
There’s not a lot known about the fin whales’ migration pattern, Anderson said. Fin whales usually hang out solo or with one other whale, and can be sporadically seen throughout the year, mostly in the summer months.
Anderson said the whales spotted recently were feeding, coming up out of the water with their mouths open and churning up the water.

Facts about the finback whale:  

Size: 45-70 feet.
Weight: full grown adults about 40 tons.
Characteristics: long thin body with a tall, erect, dorsal fin.
Diet: A wide variety of small fish, with some krill.
Where they are: Finback whales are seen worldwide, with three major populations located in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and southern oceans. There is a possible year-round resident group in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico.
Birth: Born during winter at 15-18 feet and about 3,000 pounds after a 12 month gestation. No one knows where the calving grounds of fin whales are located. Calf stays with its mother for 6 to 8 months.
Social organization: Fin whales are primarily seen as solitary animals, although coordinated groups of up to 15 animals together have been observed. There is considerable variation in grouping frequency by region.
Population status: Fin whales were killed extensively once ‘modern’ whalers had virtually extinguished blue whales. Between the 1930s and the 1960s, more than 500,000 fin whales were killed worldwide. Although whaling for fin whales took place as recently as 1989, kills were highly limited after 1970. Now protected worldwide, fin whales are estimated to number 60,000 – 100,000, and are listed on the Endangered Species list.

Source: www.whalecenter.org
 

Want to check them out? Here’s a list of local charter companies:

Capt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari
Daily departures on catamarans throughout the year, trips generally last 2 1/2 hours. Call for specific times and availability.
•Cost: $49 per person, $35 for ages 3 to 12. Age 2 and younger, free.
•Information: 949-488-2828 or www.dolphinsafari.com  

Dana Wharf Sportsfishing & Whale Watching
Three 2-hour trips held daily.
Cost: $29 for adults; $19 for children
www.danawharf.com

Davey’s Locker Sportfishing and Whale Watching:
Two trips Monday through Friday and three trips on weekends and holidays. Each cruise is roughly 2 ½ hours long and refreshments and snacks are available on the ship’s snack bar.
Cost: Adults $25; 12 years old and under $20.00, seniors $20 
Information: www.daveyslocker.com or (949) 673-1434

Newport Landing, California Whale Watching
Trips depart twice a day from Newport Beach.
Price: $25 For adults & $20 for juniors (12 years & younger).
Phone: (949) 675-0551

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