Massive Dead Whale Washes Ashore on Newport Beach

Beachgoers spot 30-foot, 10-ton humpback whale carcass on picturesque California shore

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A 30-foot, 10-ton humpback whale carcass washed ashore on Newport Beach in California on February 18. Beachgoers spotted the gnarly, rotting whale and alerted authorities. The cause of the whale's death is unknown, but a necropsy will be performed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Why it matters

The appearance of a massive, decomposing whale carcass on a popular California beach raises concerns about public safety, environmental impact, and the need for proper disposal of the remains. Whale strandings are not uncommon, but this incident highlights the challenges coastal communities face in managing these situations.

The details

The whale's body was found to be around 30 feet long and 10 tons in weight. It was described as "super bloated" and not having been deceased for too long. Authorities warned beachgoers to stay away from the whale, as it could potentially roll around and crush someone. A professional from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center estimated the whale was around 1 year old, much younger than the 5-10 years it takes for humpback whales to reach sexual maturity.

  • The whale washed ashore on Newport Beach on February 18, 2026.

The players

Tim Burnham

A local resident who spotted the whale and recorded video of it.

Brian O'Rourke

The Newport Beach lifeguard chief who warned the public to stay away from the whale due to the potential danger.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The federal agency that will perform a necropsy on the whale to determine the cause of death.

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What they’re saying

“It was super bloated and looked like it hadn't been deceased for that long.”

— Tim Burnham

“Just please stay away from it right now until we can get the salvage disposal of the whale underway. It's massive; there could be some danger to the public, it's rolling away from the surfline. It could cause damage, even crush them. That's a possibility in a dangerous situation.”

— Brian O'Rourke, Newport Beach lifeguard chief (The OC Register)

What’s next

Authorities plan to remove the whale's remains, though conditions on Wednesday were deemed too poor to do so immediately. A necropsy will be performed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to determine the cause of the whale's death.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges coastal communities face in managing the appearance of large marine mammal carcasses on public beaches. Proper disposal and investigation into the cause of death are crucial to mitigate public safety risks and environmental impacts.