Gray Whale Stuns In First Sighting Of The Season In Dana Point

DANA POINT, CA — The first southbound gray whale sighting of the season was confirmed by Dana Wharf this month.

The whale was seen late Thursday afternoon just off Ritz Point near the Dana Point shore, Dana Wharf Naturalist Laura Lopez told Patch.

"The whale was traveling south and staying close to shore in very shallow water of less than 100 feet deep," Lopez said.

The whale, thought to be a sub-adult, traveled tight along the shoreline and passed in front of the headlands and Dana Point Harbor.

According to Dana Wharf Co-Owner Donna Kalez, California Gray Whales travel from Bering and Chukchi Seas down to Baja, Mexico to avoid freezing waters and scarce food supplies through the winter.

Orange County residents interested in seeing these majestic mammals for themselves were encouraged to schedule a tour with Dana Wharf, as sightings are predicted to become more common, Kalez told Patch.