California

Massive sea creatures spotted leaping from CA waters. See the ‘youngsters’

Massive sea creatures were seen off the coast of California, boaters said.
Massive sea creatures were seen off the coast of California, boaters said. Getty Images

A group of massive sea creatures was spotted off the coast of California and boaters are calling the sighting a “delight.”

On July 27, humpback whale calves and their mamas were seen leaping from the water, according to a July 30 Facebook post by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch.

A humpback whale was seen breaching off the coast of California, boaters said.
A humpback whale was seen breaching off the coast of California, boaters said. Daniel Bianchetta Monterey Bay Whale Watch

The moms joined in on the breaching fun with the “youngsters” and it was a “joy to witness,” boaters said.

Humpback whales were spotted off the coast of California, boaters said.
Humpback whales were spotted off the coast of California, boaters said. Daniel Bianchetta Monterey Bay Whale Watch

Humpbacks usually display this behavior as a means of communicating with other whales as the sound of them slapping their bodies against the water can be “heard for miles” underwater, according to The Marine Mammal Center.

Throughout the day, groups saw 49 humpback whales and 100 Risso’s dolphins, boaters said.

Monterey is about a 120-mile drive south from San Francisco.

This story was originally published July 30, 2025 at 11:04 AM with the headline "Massive sea creatures spotted leaping from CA waters. See the ‘youngsters’."

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Paloma Chavez
McClatchy DC
Paloma Chavez is a reporter covering real-time news on the West Coast. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Southern California.
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