From 21 humpback whales in a single day to nearly 100 pilot whales and breaching mobula rays, October is delivering some unforgettable wildlife encounters off the coast of San Diego!
October is keeping us on our toes at San Diego Whale Watch! With unusually warm ocean temperatures, unexpected visitors, and some truly spectacular whale activity, this fall is turning into one for the books.
We’ve encountered everything from massive humpback whales putting on acrobatic displays to rare tropical visitors that have us feeling like we’re whale watching in Baja California rather than San Diego.
And we’re only halfway through the month!
21 Humpback Whales in ONE Day!
Just when we thought October couldn’t get more exciting, the ocean delivered an absolutely incredible day: 21 humpback whales spotted in a single day!
Multiple groups of humpbacks were spread throughout the area, giving our guests and crew an unforgettable look at these magnificent animals. We witnessed breaching, diving, and plenty of surface activity as whales appeared in different directions.
At times, it felt more like the bustling whale-watching waters of Baja California than our familiar San Diego coastline!
Humpback whales are known for their acrobatic behavior, and seeing so many in one day was a spectacular reminder of just how dynamic our local marine ecosystem can be.
View this post on Instagram
A Rare Encounter with Nearly 100 Pilot Whales
One of October’s biggest surprises was an extraordinary encounter with a pod of approximately 100 short-finned pilot whales!
These highly social marine mammals are rarely encountered on our San Diego whale watching tours, making this sighting especially memorable.
Our naturalists and guests observed several groups, including mothers with calves, as the whales traveled and dove through the warm offshore waters.
Pilot whales are actually members of the oceanic dolphin family, despite their name. They live in close-knit social groups and are known for their strong family bonds.
Seeing such a large gathering, especially with young calves, was an incredible experience for everyone aboard.
View this post on Instagram
Breaching Mobula Rays? In San Diego?!
If you thought breaching was just for whales, think again!
We’ve also been spotting mobula rays launching themselves completely out of the water, a behavior that’s far more commonly associated with warmer waters off Baja California and Mexico.
Mobula rays are sometimes called flying rays because of their spectacular leaps above the ocean’s surface. Scientists are still studying exactly why they breach, with theories ranging from communication to courtship and parasite removal.
While mobula rays aren’t unheard of in Southern California, seeing them breaching off San Diego is an exceptionally unusual treat.
These sightings have been among the most surprising highlights of our fall season.
Blue Whales Are Still Here in October!
Blue whale season in San Diego typically peaks during the warmer summer months, with sightings becoming less common as we move into fall.
But apparently, nobody told the blue whales!
We’ve already spotted four blue whales this October, giving guests a late-season opportunity to encounter the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth.
These magnificent whales can reach lengths of nearly 100 feet, and watching one surface alongside our vessel is an experience that’s difficult to put into words.
Their continued presence this late in the season is another fascinating twist in an already unpredictable October.
Dolphins, Flying Fish & More Ocean Surprises
The whales and rays aren’t the only animals making October memorable.
We’ve also encountered Pacific white-sided dolphins, a beautiful and energetic species known for their striking coloration and playful behavior.
Large groups of dolphins have been bringing plenty of excitement to our trips, sometimes racing through the water and riding the pressure waves created by our vessels.
And in another unusual twist, we’ve been spotting flying fish!
These remarkable fish use their enlarged, wing-like fins to glide above the ocean’s surface, sometimes traveling impressive distances to escape predators.
Flying fish are more commonly associated with warmer offshore waters, making their appearances another interesting sign of this season’s unusual ocean conditions.
What’s Going On with San Diego’s Ocean Temperatures?
So why are we seeing such an unusual mix of marine wildlife this October?
One possible piece of the puzzle is the exceptionally warm water we’ve been experiencing off the Southern California coast.
This year, ocean conditions have been influenced by warming in the tropical Pacific, including an oceanic Kelvin wave that transports warm water eastward from the equatorial Pacific.
These waves can deepen the layer of warm water beneath the surface and contribute to elevated sea levels along parts of the Pacific coast.
El Niño conditions can also influence ocean temperatures, currents, and the distribution of marine life throughout the Eastern Pacific.
While we can’t attribute any individual wildlife sighting directly to these conditions, warmer water and changing currents can affect where prey species gather and where marine animals travel.
That may help explain why we’re encountering such an unusual combination of familiar San Diego wildlife and species more often associated with warmer waters farther south.
It’s a fascinating reminder that the ocean is constantly changing, and that even our experienced naturalists never know exactly what they’ll discover when we leave the dock.
What Will We See Next?
If October has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected!
Between 21 humpback whales in a single day, nearly 100 pilot whales, late-season blue whales, breaching mobula rays, and flying fish, we’ve already experienced a remarkable variety of marine life.
And with these unusual ocean conditions continuing, we’re especially curious to see what the rest of fall will bring.
Could the orcas make another appearance? Will we encounter more tropical visitors? Or will our humpbacks continue stealing the show?
There’s only one way to find out.
Join San Diego Whale Watch and experience the wild side of San Diego for yourself!
Our expert naturalists are ready to help you discover the incredible marine life that calls our waters home, whether it’s a familiar favorite or a once-in-a-lifetime surprise.
Book Your Whale Watching Adventure
Wildlife sightings vary from trip to trip and are never guaranteed to include specific species. That’s part of the adventure!
