A pod of long-beaked common dolphins race through the waters of Monterey Bay, California.
A breathtaking spectacle unfolded off the coast of California as more than 2,000 dolphins formed a remarkable “superpod” in the clear, aquamarine waters of Monterey Bay. The breathtaking sight included Northern right whale dolphins and Pacific white-sided dolphins, accompanied by light grey baby calves.
Evan Brodsky, a captain and videographer from Monterey Bay Whale Watch, captured the stunning event on video while out with the company’s research survey team. The video, shared on Facebook, left viewers in awe, as Monterey Bay Whale Watch described the experience as “mind-blowing.”
This incredible flock follows recent sightings of thousands of Risso’s dolphins in the same region. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), superpods of Northern right whale dolphins are particularly rare. Typically, these dolphins are found in much smaller groups of 100 to 200. NOAA stated:
They’re the only species of dolphin in the North Pacific region that lack dorsal fins and are known for their acrobatic prowess, often leaping more than 20 feet above the water.
The crew aboard the boat was spellbound by the experience. Brodsky commented, “We were so excited, it was hard to hold in our emotions. We had the biggest grins from ear to ear.”
Dolphins are known to cluster together for various reasons, including fending off predators and cooperative feeding. As noted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, “In pods they play, babysit, alert each other to danger, practice courtship, and hunt together.”
Winter, as this event highlighted, is an ideal season for dolphin watching in the Monterey Bay area, which is known to be one of the prime destination for marine wildlife enthusiasts. The bay falls within a national marine sanctuary that stretches from Marin County in the north to Cambria in the south, supporting a rich diversity of marine life.
