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Humpback Whale

Megaptera novaeangliae

Pectoral fins a third of their 50-foot body length make humpbacks unmistakable in the air. They feed off the Channel Islands using bubble-net lunge feeding, then winter in Hawaii — many individuals return to SoCal waters annually.

Stats

At a glance

LENGTH
40–50 ft
WEIGHT
25–40 tons
LIFESPAN
45–50 yrs
DIET
Krill, small schooling fish
RARITY
Regular
SEASON
Spring through fall feeding season
How to ID

What to look for

Long pectoral fins, knobbly head, dramatic breaches.
BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR
BreachingPectoral slapBubble-net feedingTail lobbing
When

Best months to see

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Archive

Last 30 days

Total seen
4
Days active
1/30
Last seen
May 12
DAILY SIGHTING COUNT HOVER A BAR
TODAY
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Where to go (operators post live sighting data)

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

NW
Newport Whales
3,200 common dolphins
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DL
Davey's Locker
3,200 common dolphins
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HB
Harbor Breeze
500 common dolphins · 4 humpback whales · 2 fin whales
Book Now
DW
Dana Wharf
DANA POINT · Doesn't publish daily trip reports
Visit →
SD
San Diego Whale Watch
SAN DIEGO · Doesn't publish daily trip reports
Visit →
P
Paul Grogan
Covers SoCal whale watching, ocean conditions, and the best departure ports on the Southern California coast.