Aboard our whale watching tour off the San Diego coast last Friday, passengers were treated to a sighting of False Killer Whales. Identified by our onboard naturalist, False Killer Whales are similar in appearance to their cousins the Orca. They are more commonly seen in warmer, tropical waters, but a specific pod of 30-40 False Killer Whales has been making periodic spring visits to Southern California since 2014, providing a once-in-a-lifetime encounter for anyone lucky enough to see them.
More from our naturalist: False Killer Whales, also known as Pseudorca, are members of the "blackfish" family of dolphins along with Orcas, Pilot Whales, and Melon-Headed Whales. They are believed to be traveling north from Mexico in search of large prey fish (especially White Sea Bass). Sightings in California are considered especially rare.
False Killer Whales get their name due to the skeletal similarities they share with the Orca. Although they dramatically differ in appearance, their skeletons are very similar. Maximum size for a False Killer Whale is about 16 feet long and they can weigh up to 2,600 lbs.
Come See The Whales
Flagship's daily whale watching excursions continue through April 18, 2021.