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Dolphin stampede caught on camera on while whale-watching in California

2 min read

Inspiring People
Source: Facebook/CaptDavesWhaleWatching

A pod of as many as 300 dolphins were seen “stampeding” off the coast near Dana Point in Southern California, thrilling a boatload of whale-watchers out on the water.

Dolphin stampede greets whale-watching party in Southern California

Around 300 common dolphins were caught on camera in a stunning display of porpoising, or “stampeding”. A party of whale watchers were wow-ed when their boat caught sight of this massive pod of dolphins off the coast of South California. Boat skipper David Anderson said it is "without a doubt the most remarkable thing" he’s seen.

“Dolphin stampede behaviour can be described as porpoising out of the water at a high rate of speed. Porpoising is the fastest mode of travel for dolphins because there is less resistance in the air than in water,”
Captain Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari said in a post accompanying the video: “Dolphin stampede behaviour can be described as porpoising out of the water at a high rate of speed. Porpoising is the fastest mode of travel for dolphins because there is less resistance in the air than in water,” Source: Stacie Fox/DolphinSafari
Dana Point is reported to have the highest density of dolphins anywhere on the planet, with a population of 450,000 common dolphins and mega pods numbering up to 10,000 members.
According to the charter company, there are greater than usual numbers of baby dolphins at this time of year, resulting in spectacular sites like the one captured off Dana Point. Dana Point is reported to have the highest density of dolphins anywhere on the planet, with a population of 450,000 common dolphins and mega pods numbering up to 10,000 members. Source: Stacie Fox/DolphinSafari
A dolphin pod caught stampeding in waters near Laguna Beach made news around the world last year.
Dolphin sightings off the Orange County coastline are not uncommon. A dolphin pod caught stampeding in waters near Laguna Beach made news around the world last year. Source: Stacie Fox/DolphinSafari
Boat skipper David Anderson said: “Often times these things will happen almost as someone’s fired a starter’ pistol and they just go.” Source: Facebook/Capt. Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari

Dolphin stampede wows whale watchers - BBC News Around 300 dolphins were caught on camera as they travelled at rapid speeds near Dana Point in southern California. Also known as “porpoising”, the dolphins leap so fast they spend more time in the air than in the water. Source: YouTube/BBC
Hundreds of Dolphins Stampede off the Coast of Southern California A remarkable whale watching experience yesterday with a pod of around 300 common dolphins stampeding off the coast of Dana Point, California. Dolphin stampede behavior can be described as porpoising out of the water at a high rate of speed. Porpoising is the fastest mode of travel for dolphins because there is less resistance in the air than in water. It's thought that the dolphins could be evading a predator such as orcas, racing to catch a food source, or meeting up with another pod of dolphins. Dolphin stampedes can happen without warning or provocation. They are not scared of the boat. Source: Facebook/CaptDavesWhaleWatching

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