Baby whale and beachgoers get along swimmingly in California
Kayakers were able to get within a few feet of the mammal.
It’s common to splash out on a seaside trip, but these lucky swimmers coasted into an up-close-and-personal encounter with a baby whale harbouring friendly intentions in Southern California.
The 15-18ft grey whale cruised into Dana Point Harbour on Tuesday morning, swimming into a shallow children’s area appropriately called Baby Beach and circled a pier.
Kayakers were able to get within a few feet of the mammal, which at one point swam under paddleboarders.
Captain Dave Anderson, who runs whale watching tours out of the harbour, said the whale appeared to be a skinny juvenile which was foraging in the mud – and probably the same one that was spotted on Monday further south in a Carlsbad lagoon.
The whale eventually left the harbour.
Capt Anderson said it may be moving up the coast and could find its way to Oregon.
