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
13–20 ft
WEIGHT
1–1.5 tons
LIFESPAN
30–50 yrs
DIET
Deep-water squid
RARITY
Very rare — offshore only
SEASON
Year-round, deep water
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
Brief inconspicuous surfacingsLong deep divesTusks and linear scarring on adult males
When

Best months to see

JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Archive

Last 30 days

Total seen
0
Days active
0/30
Last seen
Not seen
DAILY SIGHTING COUNTHOVER A BAR
TODAY
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Where to go (operators post live sighting data)

Newport & Long Beach operators share daily trip counts — you can see what was spotted before you book. Other operators don't publish daily reports.

NC
Newport Coastal Adventure
3,600 common dolphins · 13 humpback whales · 3 minke whales
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NW
Newport Whales
3,600 common dolphins · 13 humpback whales · 3 minke whales
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DL
Davey's Locker
3,600 common dolphins · 13 humpback whales · 3 minke whales
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HB
Harbor Breeze
2,000 common dolphins · 2 humpback whales
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DW
Dana Wharf
DANA POINT · No sightings reported yet today
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SD
San Diego Whale Watch
200 common dolphins · 5 fin whales
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P
Paul Grogan
Covers SoCal whale watching, ocean conditions, and the best departure ports on the Southern California coast.