Whales

From children to adults, people of all ages are fascinated by the larger-than-life animals that live in the ocean. An orca vs shark fight might seem like something that only appears in a child’s imaginative drawings, but there’s more truth to that rivalry than fiction. The relationship between orcas, also known as killer whales, and…

An Atlantic gray whale was recently spotted off the coast of Massachusetts, which is extremely rare. It is believed that gray whales disappeared from the Atlantic Ocean around 200 years ago, so spotting one now is impressive. What is a Gray Whale? Gray whales are large creatures; they grow to between 42 and 49 feet…

If you are visiting Southern California, going on one of the whale-watching tours in San Diego should be at the top of your list of things to do. The warm waters off the coast attract various types of whales throughout the year. No matter the month you are there, you have a great chance of…

The ocean has its share of fascinating wildlife. The blue whale is the largest animal known to live on earth, even larger than the dinosaurs. Here’s how to imagine the size of a blue whale: It’s as long as three back-to-back school buses, around 100 feet—that’s a 10-story building. The average weight of a blue…

Recently, there was a rare sighting of orcas in San Diego off the coast and other areas off the coast of Southern California. Although they are also known as killer whales, orcas are members of the Delphinidae family and are the largest of those species. Orcas are one of the sea creatures that the Marine…

In December 2023, scientists and researchers off the coast of Alaska had what they describe as a 20-minute “conversation” with a whale named Twain. The experiment was a collaboration between the University of California, Davis, the SETI Institute, and the Alaska Whale Foundation. The endeavor was not only an experiment in whale communication but also…

Another name for the orca is the killer whale, a misnomer. Orcas are not technically whales but dolphins. While they are carnivores who kill their prey, they usually don’t hurt people. The few recorded incidents in which orcas have harmed people took place when the whales were in captivity under stressful conditions. Conservation efforts are…

Fin whales are the second-largest whale species in the world, so it was devastating news when a massive 52-foot-long one washed up on a San Diego beach. Lifeguards towed the young female out to sea on December 10, 2023, where her body sunk to the bottom. While it is common to see a beached whale…

In March 2023, whale-watchers spotted a right whale in Monterey Bay along the Northern California coast. Because of the scarcity and elusiveness of right whales, sighting them is rare. Nevertheless, the Monterey Bay sighting is among a handful of recent sightings to take place along the Pacific Coast. These sightings give hope that the critically…

San Diego is one of the best places for vacations in the United States. The city has everything, from professional sports, museums, and history to a world-renowned zoo, the ocean, and temperate weather throughout the year. One of the best things about San Diego is watching the friendly giants known as whales. Here’s what to…