Rare Pod of Killer Whales Spotted Off Orange County Coast
Unexpected Sighting off Newport Beach Harbor
A pod of killer whales made an unexpected visit off the coast of Orange County on Thursday. The pod of CA56 killer whales, also known as orcas, was spotted by a Davey’s Locker whale-watching boat at approximately 12:30 p.m., just two and a half miles from Newport Beach harbor.
Getting Up Close and Personal
Video footage captured the whales swimming remarkably close to the boat, as passengers and crew members looked on in awe.
A Rare Sighting
This particular pod of orcas is rarely seen, and Thursday’s sighting is believed to be the furthest southern documented sighting, according to Davey’s Locker & Newport Landing spokesperson Jessica Rodriguez. “This pod of killer whales is considered to be a type of ‘transient’ orca, which means that they have a large range they cover between southeast Alaska to the Mexico border,” Rodriguez explained.
A Rare Encounter
The pod made several passes near the whale-watching boat before disappearing into the water. Rodriguez noted that Newport Beach whale-watching boats had more than 11 encounters with a different pod of killer whales between December 2023 and February 2024.
Conclusion
The rare sighting of this pod of killer whales off the coast of Orange County is a remarkable event that will be remembered by those who were lucky enough to witness it. The whales’ remarkable behavior and proximity to the boat made for an unforgettable experience for all involved.
FAQs
Q: What is the name of the pod of killer whales spotted off the coast of Orange County?
A: The pod is referred to as CA56 killer whales, or orcas.
Q: How rare is this sighting?
A: This particular pod of orcas is rarely seen, and Thursday’s sighting is believed to be the furthest southern documented sighting.
Q: What type of orcas is this pod considered to be?
A: The pod is considered to be a type of ‘transient’ orca, which means they have a large range they cover between southeast Alaska to the Mexico border.
Q: How many encounters have there been with killer whales off the coast of Orange County?
A: Newport Beach whale-watching boats have had more than 11 encounters with a different pod of killer whales between December 2023 and February 2024.
