From Sfgate · · 1m
Rare pilot whales spotted off Newport Beach
70 pilot whales, last seen in Southern California since 2015, spotted near Newport Beach.
In brief
70 pilot whales, last seen in Southern California since 2015, spotted near Newport Beach. A pod of 70 short-finned pilot whales was spotted off Newport Beach, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2026, after not being seen in the region since 2015. Originally reported by Sfgate.
First sighting in decade
A pod of 70 pilot whales was spotted off the coast of Newport Beach, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2026.
Last seen since 2015
The last documented sighting of pilot whales in the area was between 2014 and 2015, during the last big El Niño.
El Niño warming waters
El Niño has caused record-breaking ocean temperatures in California, with water between 65 and 75 degrees, much warmer than usual.
Pilot whales follow warm currents
Rodriguez said the pilot whales may have been following the warm currents, as changing ocean temperatures can affect local marine life.
The headline
A pod of 70 short-finned pilot whales was spotted off Newport Beach, Calif., on Nov. 3, 2026, after not being seen in the region since 2015.
