Rare sighting: Humpback whale spotted off the coast

March 21st, 2009, 1:02 pm · 3 Comments · posted by Laylan Connelly, staff writer

Just got this amazing photo in from the folks over at Dana Wharf Sportsfishing and Whale watching of a humpback whale playing off the coast Friday, a rare sighting in Orange County waters.

A humpback whale playing off the coast. Photo courtesy of Dana Wharf Sportsfishing and Whale watching

“Whale watching is still in full force, and this shows you never know what you will see!” wrote Dana Wharf manager Donna Kalez.

The season is in full swing for gray whales, which cruise along Orange County’s coast from Baja to Alaska, the longest migration for any mammal. And blue whales - the largest mammals on the planet - have been coming out to the OC coastline in large numbers for the past few years, a migration change from years ago when it was a shock to see one or two during a year’s period.

But to see a humpback whale is a rarity. Last August, a humpback was spotted playing in kelp - a first-time humpback sighting for regular charter boats along the coast.

According to Dave Anderson, owner of Capt. Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari, about 800 humpbacks spend summer feeding up in Central California, but few come this far south.

They are known for their playful personalities, and do the most breaching of any of the whales seen off Orange County’s coast.

Newport Landing’s charter boats also spotted the whale, watching it breach about a dozen times.

” It is pretty rare for us to see a humpback right along the coast,” said manager Thor Brisbin.

More wildlife news from the Beach Blog:

How many blue whales visited OC this year?

Fin whales spotted off the coast

Gray whales out full force

Rare sighting of “Albino” dolphin awes spectators in Dana Point

Rare sighting of killer whales close to coast

Are grunion to blame for recent increased shark sightings?

Paddleboarder reports shark at San Onofre

Shark update: Another report out of San Clemente