Balaenoptera physalus
The second-largest animal alive at up to 85 feet, fin whales are built for speed — they can hit 23 mph. Look for an asymmetric jaw: the right lower lip is white while the left is dark, visible when they surface near Channel Islands whale-watching grounds.
Newport & Long Beach operators share daily trip counts — you can see what was spotted before you book. Other operators don't publish daily reports.