A massive whale shark was spotted cruising between Malibu and Santa Barbara Island, offering local researchers a vivid glimpse of the exotic marine life migrating into Southern California waters.<\/p>\n
The rare gigantic filter-feeder was first spotted by Ryder DeVoe last week before Carl Sbarounis, who flies for the commercial fishing industry, flew over to record aerial footage of the gentle giant.<\/p>\n
\u201cRyder DeVoe found this 14 to 16 ft Whale Shark between Santa Barbara Island and Malibu. Sept 9, 2026. I happened to be nearby and came over to video and take some pics of it,\u201d he wrote in the video\u2019s caption.<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\tSign up for the California Morning Report newsletter\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe biggest news, opinion and culture shaping California right now.\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\tThanks for signing up!\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n A whale shark feeds near the surface with its mouth open on Monday, July 9, 2018, off Isla Mujeres in Mexico. Getty Images<\/p>\n Whale sharks are the largest living fish on Earth, capable of growing over 40 feet in length. <\/p>\n \u201cRare species are cruising through our SoCal waters. Hope to catch some more exciting species during this El Nino,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n Despite their massive size, whale sharks pose no threat to humans, feeding exclusively on tiny organisms like plankton, krill, and sardines.<\/p>\n A rare, massive whale shark is spotted swimming off the coast of California. Instagram\/@airpilikia<\/p>\n A whale shark swims beneath the surface at the Oslob Whale Shark snorkeling experience on Cebu Island, Philippines. Getty Images<\/p>\n They thrive in warm tropical waters (70s and 80s \u00b0F) \u2014 well above California\u2019s typical sea temperatures \u2014 and routinely gather in marine hotspots like Baja California<\/a>, Australia, and the Persian Gulf.<\/p>\n Alongside the whale shark encounter<\/a>, Sbarounis captured aerial footage of a school of spinetail rays drifting through Southern California waters last week \u2014 a rare sighting for a species that typically favors warm tropical seas.<\/p>\n Weighing up to 400 pounds with a massive 9-foot wingspan, these impressive rays are easily identified by their signature black marking across their back.<\/p>\n Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters <\/p>\n California Post News: Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a>, TikTok<\/a>, X<\/a>, YouTube<\/a>, WhatsApp<\/a>, LinkedIn<\/a> \t\t\t\t\t\t
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