# Rare pilot whales spotted off Newport Beach

> 70 pilot whales, last seen in Southern California since 2015, spotted near Newport Beach.
- Title: Rare pilot whales spotted off Newport Beach · Sfgate
- Summary: 70 pilot whales, last seen in Southern California since 2015, spotted near Newport Beach.
- Keywords: pilot whales, short-finned pilot whales, newport beach, el niño, california coast, whale watching, Sfgate
- Source: Sfgate — https://sfgate.com/bayarea/article/pilot-whales-california-coast-22515219.php
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: pilot whales, short-finned pilot whales, newport beach, el niño, california coast, whale watching, news, local
## 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.
## Key takeaway

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.