A group of whale watchers were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime performance when humpacks appeared to dance for them off the California coast.
The two whales approached a vessel from Dana Wharf Whale Watching, which is based out of Orange County, on Thursday, seemingly curious about the boat, KTLA reported
They “mugged” the boat — meaning they showed a keen interest in it — for more than 30 minutes, swimming around the boat and popping their heads out of the water, known as “spy hopping.”
A third whale swam nearby at a distance.
“Watching them glide through the glassy water seeming to look at us as we watched them was magical,” a spokesperson for Dana Point Whale Watching said.
The whales appeared to dance for their audience while “spy hopping.” Dana Point Whale Watching/YouTube
The whales interacted with the boat for 30 minutes, according to Dana Wharf Whale Watching. Dana Point Whale Watching/YouTube
The “majestic” whales were captured on drone footage on Thursday. Dana Point Whale Watching/YouTubeThe company posted drone footage of the whales online, showing the pair of marine mammals bobbing up and down while floating upright and spinning around in what looks like a choreographed dance.
The whales were also seen diving just below the boat and flapping their flippers out of the water, video shows.
The performance was part of a day full of interactions with marine life.
Dana Point said on the same day they spotted a pod of 200 bottlenose dolphins, a minke whale, sea lions and hundreds of sea birds just seven miles from shore.
