Humpback whales approach San Diego whale-watching boat as rescue dog watches from the bow

A close marine encounter recorded off the San Diego coast

A whale-watching trip off San Diego recently turned into an extended close-range encounter when two humpback whales surfaced repeatedly near a vessel as a rescue dog stood at the bow, tracking their movements. Video from the outing shows the dog—named Fin—alternating between alert, forward-leaning stares and excited reactions as the whales rose vertically with their heads above the surface.

Fin is a six-year-old golden retriever–Labrador mix that routinely rides aboard the whale-watching boat operated by his owner, Domenic Biagini. Biagini said the interaction lasted for more than 90 minutes and involved behaviors consistent with “spyhopping,” when a whale lifts its head out of the water to look around.

What the video shows: spyhops, close passes and prolonged attention

In the footage, the whales repeatedly position themselves near the boat’s bow and surface in a way that keeps their heads and upper bodies visible above the waterline. The dog’s attention remains fixed on the animals, and the whales’ resurfacing pattern suggests sustained interest in the vessel’s presence rather than a single, brief pass.

Humpback whales are known for a wide range of surface behaviors—including breaching, tail slapping, and spyhopping—used in communication, play, navigation, or investigation of their environment. While the video cannot establish the whales’ motivation, the repeated surfacing and proximity indicate an interaction that persisted well beyond a routine sighting.

Why viewing distance matters even when whales approach boats

Marine mammal viewing in U.S. waters is governed by federal protections that prohibit harassment and harmful disturbance. Public guidelines for boat-based wildlife viewing emphasize maintaining separation from large whales, minimizing speed and sudden course changes, and limiting the time spent near individual animals to reduce cumulative stress and collision risk.

Even when a whale closes distance on its own, operators are expected to prioritize safety: slow down, avoid cutting across the animal’s path, and refrain from maneuvers that could be interpreted as pursuit. Vessel strikes are a documented source of serious injury and death for large whales, making cautious operation essential during unexpected close encounters.

Key terms used by crews during close encounters

• Spyhopping: a whale rises vertically, lifting its head above the surface to visually inspect its surroundings.

• “Mugging” (informal industry term): a whale lingers near a vessel and repeatedly surfaces, sometimes appearing to “look” toward people onboard.

San Diego’s role in seasonal whale activity

San Diego’s offshore waters sit along major migration routes and feeding-related travel corridors used by multiple whale species. Encounters can occur from shore and by boat, and the region’s visibility and boating activity increase the likelihood that wildlife sightings will be recorded and shared widely.

The video’s central detail is not only the dog’s reaction, but the duration of the whales’ presence near the boat—an example of how unpredictable and sustained whale encounters can be in Southern California waters.

No injuries or hazardous outcomes were reported in connection with the recorded encounter.