Community Corner
About 40 False Killer Whales Seen Along OC Coast In Rare Sighting
It's the first time that these rare tropical whales have been spotted this year in Orange County, whale watchers said.
DANA POINT, CA — A pod of around 40 false killer whales were spotted for the first time this year off of the coast at Dana Point on Saturday, Corey Hall of Dana Wharf Whale Watching told Patch — a rare sighting.
Hall, who's been involved with whale watching tours for 30 years, said these whales usually make an appearance in Orange County at the beginning of spring.
"As rare as it is, we see them about once a year or so or every other year, typically this time of year," Hall said.
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The false killer whale — a member of the dolphin family — showed up four times in 2019, the Orange County Register reported. These whales weigh up to around 3,000 pounds, are about 20 feet long, can live up to 63 years and typically are found in warm, tropical waters around Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico, according to National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
Hall said they've arrived just in time to feast on seasonal fish.
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"They're fish eaters, they're looking for white seabass and yellowtail which is typically when we start seeing them," he said.
Hall said he's seen a slight uptick in those wanting to take a tour with Dana Wharf Whale Watching. The first tour started at 10 a.m. on Monday morning.
Whales were also seen in the Newport Harbor entrance, the Associated Press reported.
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