RARE SIGHTING
Mesoplodon beaked whales
Mesoplodon spp.
Small, cryptic, scarred; males show tusks on the lower jaw. Rarely identified to species.
Stats
At a glance
LENGTH
15–20 ft
WEIGHT
~0.9–1.8 tons (1,800–3,530 lbs; NOAA ranges for Blainville's and Stejneger's)
LIFESPAN
At least 35 yrs (Stejneger's, NOAA); not well established for most of the genus
DIET
Deep-water squid and small fish
RARITY
Very rare — offshore only
SEASON
Year-round, deep water
Length/weight/lifespan/diet: NOAA Fisheries species page →
How to ID
What to look for
Small, cryptic, scarred; males show tusks on the lower jaw. Rarely identified to species.
BEHAVIORS TO WATCH FOR
When
Best months to see
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Archive
Last 30 days
This chart includes numerical reports only. Uncounted sightings do not appear in its totals; see the daily archive for presence reports.
Numerically reported
0
Days with counts
0/30 reported days
Last numeric report
None recorded
DAILY SIGHTING COUNTHOVER A BAR
SEP 17
Book
Where to go (operators publish dated sighting reports)
We monitor public trip reports across Newport Beach, Long Beach, Dana Point and San Diego. Reporting schedules vary; summaries show the latest available report. Newport's shared feed is counted once.
NC
Newport Coastal Adventure
1,100 common dolphins · report 2026-09-17
DW
Dana Wharf
Common dolphin: Present, count unknown · Risso's dolphin: Present, count unknown · report 2026-09-17