‘Superpod’ of More Than 2,000 Dolphins Spotted Frolicking off California Coast

A “superpod” of more than 2,000 dolphins was spotted off the coast of Monterey Bay, California, over the weekend.

The gathering of cetaceans included Pacific white-sided dolphins, Northern right whale dolphins and light grey baby calves, reported The Guardian.

“Super pods like this are rare, especially of Northern right whale dolphins,” Monterey Bay Whale Watch wrote on its Facebook page, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The post specified that the best time to see large groups of dolphins is in winter.

Captain and videographer Even Brodsky with Monterey Bay Whale Watch, a private boat tour company, captured the “mind-blowing” display on video, reported The Guardian. Brodsky was conducting research with two other members of the team at the time of the sighting. Thousands of Risso’s dolphins had recently been spotted by the company in the same area.

“Northern right whale dolphins usually travel in groups of 100 to 200 individuals but are sometimes found in groups of up to 3,000. They are occasionally seen in mixed groups with other cetacean species, such as Pacific white-sided dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and short-finned pilot whales,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

Northern right whale dolphins are the only dolphin species in the north Pacific that don’t have dorsal fins. They have been known to leap over 20 feet out of the water.

“They’re all smooth,” Brodsky told The Associated Press. “When they jump, they look like flying eyebrows.”

“We were so excited it was hard to hold in our emotions. We had the biggest grins from ear to ear,” Brodsky said.

Monterey Bay is part of the national marine sanctuary that bears its name. The area south of San Francisco is a popular destination for those looking to catch a glimpse of its spectacular marine wildlife.

“In pods they play, babysit, alert each other to danger like predators, practice courtship, and hunt together. In fact, traveling in a group compensates for their smaller body size,” the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation said.

Marine biologist Colleen Talty with Monterey Bay Whale Watch said people come from all over the world hoping to spot northern right whale dolphins, who fish in the deep underwater canyons of the bay, The Associated Press reported.

Talty said the dolphins may have been clustering to feed, fend off predators or socialize.

“We don’t always see baby dolphins,” Talty said, “so that’s pretty nice.”