False killer whale — SoCal Whales

Stats

At a glance

LENGTH

16–20 ft

WEIGHT

Up to ~3,000 lbs (NOAA)

LIFESPAN

58 yrs (males), 63 yrs (females) — NOAA

DIET

Fish and squid, hunted cooperatively

RARITY

Very rare — celebrate

SEASON

Warm-water years

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

How to ID

What to look for

Slender all-black, rounded head, tall falcate fin. Not an orca — no white patches.

BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR

Fast travel in spread-out groupsLeaping clear of the waterPrey-sharing

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

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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

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Newport Whales

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Davey's Locker

2,900 common dolphins · 1 minke whale

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Harbor Breeze

LONG BEACH · No sightings reported yet today

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Dana Wharf

1 common dolphin

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San Diego Whale Watch

250 common dolphins

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