‘Amazing’ sea creatures dazzle as they make a rare return off California. See them

A pod of orcas, also known as killer whales, rarely seen in Southern California waters is wowing whale watchers with a surprise return visit.

The Eastern Tropical Pacific pod, more often found off the coast of Mexico and Central America, has been spotted multiple times in the past several days off Palos Verdes and Santa Monica, The Orange County Register reported.

“This is the third time in less than a week we have seen these amazing whales off of the coast during one of our tours,” Caroline Salas of Harbor Breeze Cruises told McClatchy News.

A video posted to Facebook by Newport Coastal Adventure shows orcas splashing around next to a boat full of whale-watchers.

“They are very boat-friendly and approach close to boats to investigate and play,” the company said on Facebook.

In a Dec. 11 sighting, the orcas hunted common dolphins, Harbor Breeze Cruises reported.

“We have spotted them hunting dolphin and even whales!” Salas said.

They were most recently seen Sunday, Dec. 17, the company reported on Facebook.

The pod was last seen off Palos Verdes in April, The Orange County Register reported. Previous sightings took place in 2018 and 2019, where they feasted on dolphins.

Orcas are the largest members of the dolphin family, according to the World Wildlife Fund. They can reach up to 32 feet and more than 12,000 pounds.

Orcas can live up to 90 years and are a top predator, with 100 teeth. They feed mainly on marine mammals and fish, along with seabirds and marine turtles.

This story was originally published December 18, 2023 at 10:26 AM with the headline "‘Amazing’ sea creatures dazzle as they make a rare return off California. See them."