DANA POINT, CA — The first southbound gray whale sighting of the season was confirmed in Dana Point during a chance encounter at the Dana Point Harbor.
Dana Wharf Whale Watching's Nona the Naturalist witnessed the gray whale while out for a walk near the harbor.
Video posted to YouTube shows the quiet harbor with a few paddle boarders hanging nearby in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the rare giant.
"Sometimes gray whales wander into the harbor, only to realize it's a dead end. They make a U-turn and head right back out," Nona told Patch. "This guy did just that! He cruised right past Coffee Importers before turning around and heading back out of the harbor."
Nona said the gray whale was likely making a migrational journey to Mexico for the season.
According to Dana Wharf Whale Watching, that likely won't be the last gray whale that greets Dana Point waters — the mammal's annual migration period spans from January to November, though whale watchers are already seeing budding activity.
To learn more about Dana Wharf Whale Watching Tours, visit the agency's website.
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