Southern California

Dolphin ‘Stampede' Dazzles Whale Watchers in Dana Point

Hundreds of dolphins - without warning or provocation - began "stampeding," or charging, through the water to the delight of whale watchers, giving them a once in a lifetime show Thursday. 

While Dana Point is one of the best places to see "mega-pods" of dolphins, the whale watching crowd aboard Capt. Dave's Dolphin and Whale Safari watercraft had no idea they'd get to witness such a sight, a spokesman for the company said.

"Porpoising" as it is called is when dolphins begin stampeding at high speeds through the water is the fastest mode of travel for the mammals. 

Capt. Dave's said SoCal has the largest density of dolphins per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

The company said the species spotted in the video is the common dolphin, and there are nearly 450,000 in Southern California.

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