Dramatic & Rarely Seen Racing Blue Whales off Dana Point, CA
Published at : August 24, 2022
A group of lucky whale watchers experienced a very rare sighting when they witnessed three racing blue whales while aboard our Zodiac Safari. The dramatic and memorable encounter occurred just a few miles off Orange County's shoreline, near Dana Point.
The three blue whales raced up and down the coast at speeds reaching 15 knots while launching their massive bodies up and out of the water, thrashing their tails, and rolling around. Typically these gentle giants, who consume four tons of krill every day, prefer to conserve their energy and swim at about three to five knots.
Little is known about blue whale social interactions and it is possible this encounter consisted of two males competing for the attention of a female.
Blue whales are the largest known animal to have ever existed on earth. They vary in size by region and can reach lengths of over 100 feet.
During the spring and summer, Southern California is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. Endangered blue whales are a protected species after being hunted almost to extinction in the early 1900s. Although whaling is no longer considered a major threat to blue whales, ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are ongoing risks.
#whale #wildlife #bluewhale
*****
🐳 Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari offers five-star, eco-friendly, Dana Point dolphin & whale watching experiences with award-winning customer service.
Located in Dana Point, the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®. Multiple unique and uncrowded vessels include a Catamaran Sailboat with 2 Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pods and intimate, high-speed Zodiac-style vessels.
Tel: (949) 488-2828
Web: https://www.dolphinsafari.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptDavesWhaleWatching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captdaveswhalewatching/
*****
Dolphin and whale footage is copyright David Anderson/DolphinSafari.com and may not be used without permission.
📷 Video filmed by Gary Brighouse
The three blue whales raced up and down the coast at speeds reaching 15 knots while launching their massive bodies up and out of the water, thrashing their tails, and rolling around. Typically these gentle giants, who consume four tons of krill every day, prefer to conserve their energy and swim at about three to five knots.
Little is known about blue whale social interactions and it is possible this encounter consisted of two males competing for the attention of a female.
Blue whales are the largest known animal to have ever existed on earth. They vary in size by region and can reach lengths of over 100 feet.
During the spring and summer, Southern California is one of the best places in the world to see blue whales. Endangered blue whales are a protected species after being hunted almost to extinction in the early 1900s. Although whaling is no longer considered a major threat to blue whales, ship strikes and entanglement in fishing gear are ongoing risks.
#whale #wildlife #bluewhale
*****
🐳 Captain Dave's Dolphin and Whale Watching Safari offers five-star, eco-friendly, Dana Point dolphin & whale watching experiences with award-winning customer service.
Located in Dana Point, the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World®. Multiple unique and uncrowded vessels include a Catamaran Sailboat with 2 Eye-to-Eye Underwater Viewing Pods and intimate, high-speed Zodiac-style vessels.
Tel: (949) 488-2828
Web: https://www.dolphinsafari.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptDavesWhaleWatching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captdaveswhalewatching/
*****
Dolphin and whale footage is copyright David Anderson/DolphinSafari.com and may not be used without permission.
📷 Video filmed by Gary Brighouse
DramaticRarelyRacing