Dead Humpback Whale Washes Ashore in Newport Beach

Necropsy planned to determine cause of death for juvenile whale found near elementary school

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A dead juvenile humpback whale washed ashore in Newport Beach, California on Wednesday afternoon. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center and Newport Beach lifeguards responded to the scene, with plans to conduct a full necropsy on Thursday to determine the cause of death for the large whale that was spotted floating in the area earlier in the day.

Why it matters

Whale strandings are relatively rare events, and can provide important insights into the health of whale populations and potential threats they face in the ocean. This incident near a populated beach area also raises questions about how such situations are managed to protect public safety while also respecting the whale.

The details

The whale washed ashore near 13th Street, between the Newport and Balboa piers, close to Newport Elementary School. Rough waves and a rising tide prevented a full necropsy from being conducted on Wednesday, but the Pacific Marine Mammal Center team was able to take some initial samples. They plan to return on Thursday to perform a complete examination of the juvenile humpback whale.

  • The whale was first spotted around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • The full necropsy was postponed to Thursday, February 20, 2026 due to the weather conditions.

The players

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

A non-profit organization that responds to marine mammal strandings and conducts research to protect ocean wildlife.

Newport Beach Lifeguards

The public safety agency responsible for monitoring and responding to incidents along the Newport Beach coastline.

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What they’re saying

“A full necropsy was postponed to Thursday due to rough waves and rising tide, although some necropsy samples were taken Wednesday.”

— Sophia Felger, of the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (nbclosangeles.com)

What’s next

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center team will return to the site on Thursday to conduct a full necropsy on the juvenile humpback whale in order to determine the cause of death.

The takeaway

While whale strandings are relatively rare, they can provide valuable scientific information about the health of whale populations and the threats they face. This incident highlights the importance of having trained marine mammal response teams ready to investigate such events and work with local authorities to manage the situation safely.