Massive sea creatures wow onlookers off California coast. See the ‘feeding fins’

Massive sea creatures were spotted off the coast of California, onlookers said.

Four fin whales were seen among thousands of common dolphins as they fed off the coast of Dana Point, according to a May 14 Facebook post by the Dana Wharf Whale Watch.

Even sea birds were spotted “enjoying the plentiful anchovies,” onlookers said.

Schools of this so-called “fin bait” were spotted staying close to one another to “avoid being preyed upon” but the “feeding fins” whales proved they had a lovely meal by leaving “whale poo” at the surface of the water, the group said.

One of the whales swam under the boat, leaving onlookers ‘“in awe,” the tour group said.

Fin whales are the second-largest whale species on the planet and have a “distinctive coloration – black or dark brownish-gray on the back and sides and white on the underside,” according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

They are “fast swimmers” and usually travel in groups of two to seven while feeding on small schools of fish or krill, the NOAA said.

The “grey hounds of the sea” made for a magical moment with one passenger even saying, “he had been waiting his whole life to see something like this,” the whale watchers said.

Dana Point is about a 60-mile drive southeast of downtown Los Angeles.

This story was originally published May 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Massive sea creatures wow onlookers off California coast. See the ‘feeding fins’."