Thousands of sea creatures seen in ‘rare’ stampede off California. See stunning video

A group conducting a survey said it was able to experience the “mind blowing” sight of a stampede of sea creatures off the California coast.

On Feb. 21, viewers got the chance to see the “rare” sight: a super pod of over 2,000 Northern right whale dolphins mixed with Pacific white-sided dolphins, according to a Facebook post by the Monterey Bay Whale Watch.

Although super pods aren’t usually found with Northern right whale dolphins, the overflow was spread out for miles, the group said.

Northern right whale dolphins are the only dolphin to not have a dorsal fin and usually travel in packs of 100 to 200, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Pacific white-sided dolphins, highly social animals, get their name from their “distinct coloring,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

As for the best time to see big pods of dolphins, watchers said the winter gives you the highest chances, the post read.

Monterey is about a 120-mile drive southeast from San Francisco.

This story was originally published February 24, 2025 at 12:55 PM with the headline "Thousands of sea creatures seen in ‘rare’ stampede off California. See stunning video."