Off the coast of Southern California, a thriving marine ecosystem is home to a diverse array of marine life. This area serves as a migration route for fish schools during winter and spring, making whale watching and dolphin viewing activities popular among locals and tourists alike. On the afternoon of September 6th, passengers aboard a whale watching boat departing from Newport Beach in Orange County were fortunate to encounter a pod of around 300 Common Dolphins.
Newport Landing Whale Watching, the company behind the whale watching excursions, has a history of over 20 years. Captain Dani mentioned that it was a relatively large group that day, with many baby dolphins among them. She explained, “Dolphin pods do not stay in one specific area; they migrate following their food source, such as fish schools. We look for dolphin pods by keeping an eye out for splashing water or bird activity on the surface of the ocean.”
The boat that the reporter was on set sail from Newport Beach, cruising south along the coastline towards the waters near Laguna Beach where the dolphin pod was sighted. Continuing further south to Dana Point, which is another departure point for whale watching boats in the area.
According to Newport Landing Whale Watching, on September 6th, they observed 1 Fin Whale, approximately 1,300 Common Dolphins, and 290 Bottlenose Dolphins. These numbers were cumulative reports from multiple boats that went out that day.
Those who went whale watching on September 7th likely had an even more fruitful experience. One passenger excitedly shared that they saw 5 whales, a group of dolphins, and a seal. The company’s record for that day included 6 Humpback Whales, 1 Minke Whale, 2,400 Common Dolphins, and 50 Bottlenose Dolphins.
The most remarkable record from the company was on May 27th, 2025, with the highest number of dolphins, including 27 Humpback Whales, 9,700 Common Dolphins, and 50 Bottlenose Dolphins. The more diverse and abundant the species of whales and dolphins recorded, the greater the chances for visitors to witness them.
Gray Whales and Common Dolphins are among the species commonly spotted by passengers. Additionally, in these waters, one can also see Blue Whales, Humpback Whales, Fin Whales, Minke Whales (also known as Orca or Killer Whale, the most aggressive among them), Pacific White-Sided Dolphins, and Risso’s Dolphins.
One traveler mentioned seeing a Blue Whale in August. The company website documented encounters with Blue Whales on three days in August, with August 16th recording 7 Blue Whales, 200 Common Dolphins, and 1 Bottlenose Dolphin. Summer is typically the best time to observe Blue Whales, as they are rarely seen after September.
Blue Whales are considered the largest known animals on Earth, akin to the size of a Boeing 737 jetliner. The longest Blue Whales can reach up to 30 meters. By the late 19th century, Blue Whales were nearly ubiquitous across all oceans but were pushed to the brink of extinction due to extensive hunting. The International Whaling Commission banned the hunting of Blue Whales in 1966, and in 2018, they were classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Gray Whales are more commonly seen in the Southern California waters, known for their extensive migration routes. They feed in the cold waters of the Arctic, including the Bering Sea, during the summer months and migrate south to the waters off Mexico to breed in the winter. Thus, during the gray whale’s spring journey back north, one may spot the calves. There have been records of gray whale sightings from January to July in 2025, with March 30th marking the sighting of 39 Gray Whales by several Newport Whale Watching boats.
Near Newport Beach on August 27th, approximately 100 Bottlenose Dolphins were spotted playing and jumping alongside the whale watching boats, leaping about 10 feet (around 3 meters) out of the water—an exhilarating sight for the excited passengers on board.
Spring, summer, and autumn are peak seasons for dolphin pods’ feeding activities in Southern California waters, providing the best opportunities for observing these fascinating marine mammals. Both whales and dolphins are mammals that require regular surfacing for breathing, leading to sightings of them surfacing and diving. Despite living underwater, they do not impact their breathing patterns while sleeping. Whales and dolphins have a unique “half-brain sleeping” phenomenon, where one hemisphere enters deep sleep while the other remains alert and vigilant.
Apart from extreme weather conditions, the whale watching and dolphin viewing boats of the company operate year-round. Tickets can be purchased both online and on-site, ranging from $38 to $85, with slightly higher rates during weekends and holidays. It’s advisable to buy tickets in advance during holidays due to the influx of visitors. The boat trips usually last around 2.5 hours, and it is recommended to arrive in the morning to avoid traffic congestion, as afternoons tend to draw larger crowds for beach outings or dining by the sea.
Safety precautions are vital while onboard, especially once the boat moves farther from the coast and the waves grow larger, causing the vessel to sway. The captain typically advises passengers through the broadcast system to maintain “three points of contact” with the boat, meaning to grasp the handrails or vertical supports with both hands while having one foot firmly planted on the deck. Children should be accompanied by adults as they might get overly excited upon spotting whales or dolphin pods. Therefore, it’s crucial to adhere to safety regulations, which prohibit running, leaping, climbing, or standing on any elevated surfaces on the boat.