Gray Whale Gives 'Flukey Wave' To Dana Point Whale Watchers

DANA POINT, CA — A gray whale was spotted off the coast of Dana Point on Sunday, as shared by wildlife photographer Loriannah Hespe for Dana Wharf Whale Watching.

"A gray whale in August?" Hespe said. "Odd."

The sight of the enormous leviathan waving its fluke for all to see was a huge treat for whale watchers on a cloudy Sunday morning.

Captain Todd Mansur says that gray whales are often referred to as "friendly whales" and are readily recognized by barnacles, whale lice and white freckled modeling skin, most frequently seen off the Dana Point coastline from November to April, with a peak season of February and March.

"Their migration is different than any other as they travel close to our shore, adding 3,500 extra miles to their already long adventure" up to the Bering Sea, he says.

According to Dana Wharf Whale Watching, their captains spotted not one but two Gray Whales, several Common Dolphins, a Mako Shark, and a Bluefin Tuna on Sunday.

Most recently, captains have seen Bryde's whales in the vicinity. See the full list of what you might see while onboard your next Dana Point whale watching adventure.

For more information on booking a whale watching adventure, visit Dana Wharf Whale Watching.