Over 1,500 Gray Dolphins Seen Off California's Central Coast

More than 1,500 dolphins were filmed together off California’s coast in an awe-inspiring display that left whale watchers speechless. 🌐 #News #MontereyCA #California #Lifestyle

MONTEREY, CA – A truly incredible sight unfolded off California‘s Central Coast last week, as a massive “super pod” of over 1,500 Risso’s dolphins was filmed swimming together in Carmel Bay. The stunning footage, shared by Monterey Bay Whale Watch, shows these dolphins leaping from the water, swimming in unison, and seemingly engaging in playful behavior. The awe-inspiring video captures the rare spectacle in all its glory, leaving viewers stunned by the power and beauty of nature.

A Remarkable Discovery in Carmel Bay

The footage was taken during a routine scouting trip conducted by the whale-watching group. With their larger boats still undergoing winter maintenance, the crew sent out a smaller vessel to survey the waters south of Monterey.

Covering a 62-mile round trip from Monterey to Point Sur and back, the team didn’t just spot the super pod of Risso’s dolphins—they also encountered 33 gray whales and three northern right whale dolphins.

“With our bigger boats still out having their Winter Maintenance done and getting ready for the 2025 season, we sent out our scouting boat to perform a survey on the coast south of Monterey,” the group explained in their Facebook post.

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What Makes Risso’s Dolphins Unique

Risso’s dolphins, also known as gray dolphins, are easily identifiable by their narrow tails and blunt, squared snouts.

Typically, these dolphins gather in pods of 10 to 30 individuals. However, sightings of them in much larger groups—like the super pod filmed last week—are rare.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries, while these dolphins are usually seen in smaller groups, they are occasionally spotted in aggregations that reach hundreds or even thousands.

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