VIDEO: Whale Watchers Catch a Rare Glimpse of a Pod of Pilot Whales

From a press release:

Whale watching passengers and crew aboard Captain Dave’s Dolphin and Whale Safari in Dana Point, celebrated another rare Southern California sighting this year when a very large pod of about 200 short finned pilot whales were spotted about four miles off the coast.

This is only the second time in more than 20 years that pilot whales have been seen off Dana Point. A smaller pod of around 50 pilot whales was seen in June of this year.

Passengers were able to feel what’s like to swim with pilot whales underwater, without getting wet, in Capt. Dave’s exclusive Underwater Viewing Pods. Whale watchers on deck excitedly watched as the whales, which included tiny calves, breached, spy-hopped, and even swam right beneath their feet while they stood on Capt. Dave’s Eye-Spy Tram Nets.

According to N.O.A.A. estimates there are an estimated 300 pilot whales off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington combined. They feed primarily on squid and can dive down to 1,000 feet or more to catch prey. Adult males average about 18 feet in length and can weigh over 2,200 pounds.

PHOTO Courtesy Captain Dave’s.

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