‘Breaching bonanza’ stuns whale watchers off California, photos show. See the humpbacks

Whale watchers with Monterey Bay Whale Watch struck whale-watcher gold the weekend of June 28-30.

The humpback whales off California were out in full force, breaching the surface of the water, slapping their giant flippers and lobbing their tails.

“The humpbacks were in top form!” the organization said in a Facebook post recounting the action.

Humpback whales are known by whale-watchers as some of the most acrobatic ocean animals, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The fact that these acrobats can also grow to 60 feet in length makes them even more stunning to observe. These massive creatures are beloved by boaters for their spirited jumping and surface athletics.

Humpback whales can be seen off the coast of Northern California between late April and early December, the Monterey Bay Whale Watch says on its website. During the whales’ sojourn off the Golden State, they feed on krill, anchovies and sardines.

Monterey Bay Whale Watch has accumulated a long roster of positive encounters with humpback whales. The organization speculates that this is due to the fact that this generation of whales doesn’t know the treachery of whaling the way previous generations did. They are less afraid of boats and humans.

These days, the humpbacks appear more at ease, showing off their athletic ability to delighted whale-lovers.

“You never know when a breaching bonanza will occur in the bay,” the organization said.

This story was originally published July 3, 2024 at 1:49 PM with the headline "‘Breaching bonanza’ stuns whale watchers off California, photos show. See the humpbacks."