Humpback Whale Washes Up On Newport Beach Shoreline

The 27-foot whale was first spotted offshore and came onto shore near the piers.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dead 27-foot, 20,000-pound humpback whale washed up on the sand in Newport Beach, California on Wednesday. Authorities are investigating the cause of the whale's death and working on how to remove it from the shoreline.

Why it matters

Whale strandings are relatively rare events, and this incident has drawn attention to the fragile state of marine ecosystems and the need for continued conservation efforts. The whale's death also raises questions about potential threats to whales in the area, such as ship strikes or entanglement in fishing gear.

The details

The whale was first spotted offshore around 1:45 p.m. near 28th Street and came onto shore around 3 p.m. near 11th Street, between the Newport and Balboa piers. Staff from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center were on the scene to investigate the cause of the whale's death, which was not immediately known.

  • The whale was first spotted offshore around 1:45 p.m. on February 19, 2026.
  • The whale came onto shore around 3 p.m. on February 19, 2026.

The players

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

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

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The authorities will continue to investigate the cause of the whale's death and work on removing the 27-foot, 20,000-pound carcass from the shoreline.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of marine life and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to protect whales and other ocean species from threats like ship strikes, entanglement, and environmental degradation.