By this time in December the waters off Dana Point, are usually filled with gray whales on their southbound migration to the lagoons in Baja, so says Capt. Dave Anderson.
Instead whale watching passengers aboard Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari are being blessed with huge fin whales, daily for nearly a week, with as many as eight whales in one day, he said.
Fin whales are the second largest whale and they're often more shy than their slightly larger brethren the blue whale. But there has been no shyness lately!
The fin whales, seen just a few miles outside of Dana Point Harbor, have thrilled Capt. Dave's whale watchers with their exciting lunge feeding behavior. The 70 to 80 foot whales tear through the water's surface to feast on krill, a tiny shrimp-like crustacean, according to the crew.
And to the shock of long-time captains and crew, the fin whales have been seen chasing and seemingly fighting with each other while throwing their massive 50 to 70 ton bodies out of the water in an amazing show of speed and strength.
