{"id":519016,"date":"2026-11-05T03:14:08","date_gmt":"2026-11-05T03:14:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/519016\/"},"modified":"2026-11-05T03:14:08","modified_gmt":"2026-11-05T03:14:08","slug":"watch-large-pod-of-pilot-whales-off-o-c-s-coast-a-first-recorded-in-more-than-a-decade-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/519016\/","title":{"rendered":"WATCH: Large pod of pilot whales off O.C.\u2019s coast, a first recorded in more than a decade \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

A large pod of about pilot whales was spotted off Orange County\u2019s coastline this week, a first recorded in more than a decade for the species typically found off tropical waters.<\/p>\n

The rare marine wildlife encounter happened on Nov. 3 when Capt. Erica Page aboard Newport Coastal Adventure spotted the pod of about 70 of the short-finned pilot whales, a dolphin species that typically prefer warmer, deeper offshore waters, said Jessica Rodriguez, education manager for Davey\u2019s Locker & Newport Landing Whale Watching in Newport Beach.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith a strong El Ni\u00f1o currently underway,<\/a> changing ocean conditions might be influencing the presence of these unusual visitors, although we cannot say for certain what brought them here,\u201d Rodriguez said in an email alert about the sighting. \u201cThe encounter was within reach of both our larger whale watching vessels and smaller adventure boats in Newport Beach to visit with the out-of-town whales.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"AA pilot whale, one of about 70 in a pod, showed up off Newport Beach on Nov. 3, 2026, the first time since 2015. (Photo courtesy of Christine Schultz\/Davey\u2019s Locker)<\/p>\n

The Capt. Dave\u2019s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari crew also got to see the pod and a separate group of about 10 humpback whales was spotted during the same outing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDespite their name, pilot whales are toothed whales like orcas and belong to the dolphin family,\u201d a Capt. Dave\u2019s announcement about the sighting said. \u201cThese highly social animals travel in close-knit groups and can form large gatherings. Adults can reach approximately 18 feet in length and weigh more than 2,000 pounds. They favor warmer waters and feed primarily on squid, often diving to considerable depths in search of prey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Short-finned pilot whales were once regularly observed around Santa Catalina Island, where winter gatherings numbered in the hundreds, according to Capt. Daves.<\/p>\n

Their numbers declined dramatically during the 1980s, following major environmental changes associated with the 1982\u201383 El Ni\u00f1o and a sharp reduction in local market squid populations, an important food source for the species, according to Capt. Dave\u2019s.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis was such a bucket list species for me,\u201d Capt. Matt Stumpf said in a statement. \u201cI\u2019ve been whale watching out of Southern California for close to 20 years now, and I have never gotten to see pilot whales.\u201d<\/p>\n

The last time pilot whales were recorded around this area was the last big El Ni\u00f1o in 2014 and 2015<\/a> that brought unusual encounters similar to what ocean charters and fishing boats are seeing this year: hammerhead sharks<\/a>, yellowtail,<\/a> tropical sea turtles and more.<\/p>\n

Pilot whales were once abundant in the area and were once used as bait for sharks, until the Marine Mammal Protection Act outlawed the practice in 1972.<\/p>\n

Wildlife photographer Patrick Coyne was aboard the Newport Coastal Adventure boat to document the encounter, calling it \u201cone of the most incredible days I\u2019ve had out on the water.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

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