Whale shark spotted off Southern California coast

A rare whale shark, estimated to be between 14 and 16 feet long, was spotted in the Pacific Ocean between Malibu and Santa Barbara Island on September 9, 2026. The sighting was documented by commercial fisheries pilot Carl Sbarounis, who was alerted to the presence of the animal by Ryder DeVoe.

Experts attribute the appearance of this tropical species to warming ocean temperatures caused by a strong El Niño and regional marine heatwaves. Dr. Chris Lowe of the California State University Shark Lab noted that such conditions often bring subtropical visitors, including whale sharks, manta rays, and hammerhead sharks, north from Mexico.

In addition to the whale shark, Sbarounis reported sightings of uniquely colored manta rays and spinetail devil rays. The presence of these large marine animals is considered exceptional for the Southern California coast, where water temperatures have recently approached 80 degrees Fahrenheit.