Dall's porpoise — SoCal Whales

Stats

At a glance

LENGTH

7–8 ft

WEIGHT

Up to ~440 lbs (NOAA)

LIFESPAN

15–20 yrs (NOAA)

DIET

Small schooling fish (anchovies, herring, hake), lanternfish, squid, octopus

RARITY

Uncommon — winter and spring

SEASON

Dec–May

Length/weight/lifespan/diet: NOAA Fisheries species page →

How to ID

What to look for

Stocky black-and-white, throws a rooster-tail spray. NOAA calls it the fastest swimmer among small cetaceans, reaching 34 mph over short distances.

BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR

Rooster-tail sprayHigh-speed bow-ridingRarely leaps clear of the water

When

Best months to see

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

Last 30 days

Total seen

Days active

0/30

Last seen

Not seen

DAILY SIGHTING COUNTHOVER A BAR

TODAY

Book

Where to go (operators publish dated sighting reports)

Newport & Long Beach operators share daily trip counts — you can see what was spotted before you book. Other operators don't publish daily reports.

Newport Coastal Adventure

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

Book Now

Newport Whales

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

Book Now

Davey's Locker

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

Book Now

Harbor Breeze

LONG BEACH · No sightings reported yet today

Book Now

Dana Wharf

1 common dolphin

Book Now

San Diego Whale Watch

250 common dolphins

Book Now