Incredible moment when two whales breach just feet from the paddleboarder at Pismo Beach in California
- Two humpback whales breached with their mouths wide open just a few feet away from paddleboarder Bill Clements
- Scientists have long reasoned that humpback whales like to break through their fins and tail fins and strike the surface to communicate
- The beach advises people to keep a minimum distance of 100 meters from all animals and use binoculars to get a closer look
A paddleboarder in California captured a beautiful moment on video as two whales breached right next to him.
Bill Clements was paddling in the Pismo Beach area of California’s central coast early on September 16 when he witnessed the incredible creatures surfacing.
All morning he had seen small fish jumping out of the water, but no signs of mammals or other wildlife.
But as he got closer to bird activity, Clements saw dozens of pelicans diving head first into the water, while other seabirds circled in search of scraps.
Bill Clements was paddling in the Pismo Beach area of California’s central coast early on September 16 when he witnessed the incredible creatures surfacing.
All morning he had seen small fish jumping out of the water, but no signs of mammals or other wildlife
The beach advises people to keep a minimum distance of 100 meters from all animals and use binoculars to get a closer look
Shortly afterwards there was a disturbance in the water and two humpback whales became visible with their mouths wide open just a few meters away from him.
With his GoPro camera running, viewers in the footage can hear the paddleboarder screaming with excitement and joy after the whales jump out and jump back into the water.
Scientists have long reasoned that humpback whales like to break through their fins and tail fins and strike the surface to communicate.
It is believed that all the slapping creates sounds to send messages to other whales, and that the large splashes are for sending messages over long distances.
Other reasons why whales emerge from the water include claiming territory and removing parasites.
Pismo Beach in California is considered an excellent location for whale watching and other marine life. It is also an important spot for whales as they appear annually to feed.
Clements saw dozens of pelicans diving headfirst into the water, while other seabirds circled in search of scraps
Shortly afterwards there was a disturbance in the water and two humpback whales became visible with their mouths wide open just a few meters away from him.
Pismo Beach in California is considered an excellent location for whale watching and other marine life. It is also an important spot for whales as they appear annually to feed
The beach’s website states that April through November is the best season to see humpback whales migrating. You can see blue whales migrating south from December to February and north from March to May.
Minke whales, dolphins and porpoises can be seen all year round at Pismo Beach.
The beach advises people to keep at least 100 meters away from all animals and use binoculars to get a closer look. They also recommend not touching, swimming with, riding, petting or attempting to handle marine mammals.
Scientists recommend slowing down and avoiding sudden changes in speed or direction near the whales, not circling or crossing their path, and limiting time to observe them.